Idea! Cheap DIY tempering bath for E6/C41 film processing

If you want to process your own E6/C41 you need a way to keep water at precisely 100F temperature  (well, 100.4F but that's just nitpicking...) . There are many dedicated solutions, like the Delta Eco 1 Basic Unit Thermostatic Water Controller and if you have the resources, by all means, get that.

But you are reading this blog, so you are most likely on a tight budget, like me, so here's a much more cheaper solution. Get a fish tank heater, set the desired temperature, put it in a cooler, fill it with water and turn it on. The only caveat is that most fish tank heaters top out at 93F so you won't make fish soup... But it's not all lost, the WON Pro-Heat IC Heater 50 W can be easily modified to go higher then the 93F it was designed for, see this link on APUG for instructions. This is what I will be using (as a wash water source) for the ATL-1000 I just purchased. I'll add pictures once it's all setup.

If you have a little more cash, the Won Brothers D-58 LED Digital Display Temperature Controller and Won Brothers 3 Prong Titanium Heating Element 350 Watt Heater will set you back $120 but it doesn't need to be modified and it's way more professional.

Happy processing!

4x5 Folding Ground Glass Hood (prototype)

My newest prototype for a folding hood. Sometimes (say, in some neighborhoods) it doesn't feel wise to stick my head under a black cloth... This should greatly assist with composition, as it blocks most of the reflected light on the GG surface. It also extends enough that one should be able to easily focus his/her eyes on the GG while the eyes are right at the opening.

The hood collapses almost flat, that one can use a short loupe on the ground glass for critical focusing and of course for ease of transport.

The device still needs some sort of device to hold it flat. The hood mounts to the camera with 4 semi-transparent velcro dots. They are very easy to install, they are not very obtrusive and should it be necessary or desired, they can be removed and the the residue cleaned with glue remover.

Thoughts?