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The SP-445 is a 4×5 film developing system that can fit in your backpack

Dec 17, 2015 by GB Leave a Comment

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It’s safe now to say that film is anything but dead. More so now than ever, it seems photographers young and old are looking to get back to the days of darkrooms.

Recently, we shared with you the Filmomat, a completely automated film processing machine created from scratch.

Today, we have for you a less automated, but equally as interesting contraption. It’s called the SP–445 and it’s a compact and portable 4×5 film processing system.

Currently being funded on Kickstarter, the SP–445 is the brainchild of Timothy Gilbert, a film photographer with a master’s degree in engineering whose spent the past thirty years working in design and product development.

The lightbulb moment behind the SP–445 came from Gilbert’s struggle to find a simple and affordable film processing unit for sheet film – a passion reignited when his 15-year-old daughter began to shoot film on his old Crown Graphic.

The key to its size is its clever design, which uses an easy to load film holder that can securely develop up to four 4×5 sheets in only 16oz (475ml) of chemicals. Shaped something like a thin pitcher, the SP–445 features a handful of components that serve a dual purpose.

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For example, the lip where you fill up the SP–445 also serves as the pouring spout when you’re finished with chemicals and rinsing. Likewise, the locking lid also features a built-in plunger, which lets you agitate the chemicals to ensure even distribution across your sheet film.

The best part of all is the price. The goal was to sell the SP–445 for under $100. From the looks of it, the team behind it has achieved that goal, with an expected retail price of ‘around $80-$90.’

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If you fund it on Kickstarter though, you’ll be able to pick an entire SP–445 system up for $47 (plus shipping) – a steal considering how much other, less efficient options cost. The goal is to have the first models produced by March 2016.

The SP–445 has already gathered 50% of its $27,000 goal—more than enough to ensure the product will be funded with its remaining 33 days.

For more information and to secure yourself an SP–445 or two, head on over to the Kickstarter campaign.

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Related posts:

The Zhiyun Crane 2S is a powerful 3-axis gimbal that’s small enough to fit in a backpack Developing the Film Washi V 35mm and 120 format “film” at home The LAB-BOX multi-format film developing tank lets you eliminate the darkroom Tetenal has announced its first film developing kits since coming under new ownership

Filed Under: Gear Tagged With: 4x5, Analogue, develop, development, film, sheet film, SP-445

About GB

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Alex Baker is a portrait and lifestyle driven photographer based in Valencia, Spain. She works on a range of projects from commercial to fine art and has had work featured in publications such as The Daily Mail, Conde Nast Traveller and El Mundo, and has exhibited work across Europe

Dave Williams is an accomplished travel photographer, writer, and best-selling author from the UK. He is also a photography educator and published Aurora expert. Dave has traveled extensively in recent years, capturing stunning images from around the world in a modified van. His work has been featured in various publications and he has worked with notable brands such as Skoda, EE, Boeing, Huawei, Microsoft, BMW, Conde Nast, Electronic Arts, Discovery, BBC, The Guardian, ESPN, NBC, and many others.

John Aldred is a photographer with over 20 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter - and occasional beta tester - of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.

Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.

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