Vintage Visual AGO Film Processor

AGO Film Processor with Two-Reel Paterson Tank

AGO Film Processor - Film Developing Made Easy!

Vintage Visual AGO Film Processor

The AGO Film Processor from Vintage Visual is the first processor to use time compensation instead of temperature regulation to ensure proper development. Develop black and white, C-41, E-6, and ECN-2 films in the comfort of your home - or anywhere you take your AGO.

AGO Film Processor, with Paterson 2-reel tank

This version comes with a Paterson Super System 4 Universal tank (PTP115) and two reels.

The tank takes 2 rolls of 35mm or 1 roll of 120 at a time.

AGO is an automatic rotary film processor for Paterson tanks. It handles the agitation and adjusts each step's time as the chemistry cools.

AGO develops your film in a standard Paterson tank lying on its side and handles the

agitation for you. A sensor reads the chemistry temperature throughout and lengthens

each step as it cools, so you warm the chemistry once and walk away until AGO calls you

for the next solution. Programs for B&W, C-41, E-6, ECN-2 and RA-4 are built in.

- Handles the agitation. Rotary agitation in any Paterson Super System 4 tank, 1 to 8

reels.

- Active Time Compensation. Measures the chemistry temperature and adds time to each

step as it cools. It does not heat.

- Built-in programs. B&W, C-41, E-6, ECN-2 and RA-4 paper, for the main chemistry

brands.

- Custom programs in your browser. Build and share programs from a phone or laptop over

WiFi, with free firmware updates.

How AGO works

AGO is a compact rotary film processor, designed and assembled in Tallinn, Estonia. It

takes over the slow part of developing at home, the agitating and the clock-watching

while your chemistry cools.

Warm the chemistry to its normal start temperature, pour it into a Paterson Super System

4 tank and press start. The tank lies on its side and AGO turns the reel inside it. A

sensor measures the chemistry the whole way through, and Active Time Compensation adds

time to each step as it cools. AGO does not heat anything. It alerts you when it is time

to change solutions.

Programs for B&W, C-41, E-6, ECN-2 and RA-4 paper come built in, with profiles for Adox,

Arista, Bellini, Cinestill, Flic Film, Fuji Hunt, Ilfocolor, Ilford, Jobo, Kodak, Rollei

and Unicolor. The B&W program has a rotary option you switch on. It takes 15% off the

developer time, so you enter the chart time for hand inversion as it is. It works in

horizontal rotary mode, the default. Anything else you build as a custom program in your

phone or laptop browser over WiFi, and new chemistry profiles arrive as free updates.

Any Paterson Super System 4 tank works, from one reel up to eight. That is up to 8 rolls

of 35mm or 5 rolls of 120 in about a litre of chemistry. For even results with 120 in

the Multi-Reel 8 tank, run 4 reels or use spacers. 35mm and 120 go on standard Paterson

reels. For 110, sheet film (4×5, 5×7 and 8×10 in, 9×12 cm), Super 8 and paper up to

12×16 in there are dedicated AGO reels. At a full eight-reel load, rotary agitation uses

up to 60% less chemistry than hand inversion.

One USB-C charge gives about 5 hours of run time, which covers a full day of developing.

AGO has a two-year warranty.

In the box

- AGO Film Processor

- Modified 3-hole Paterson funnel and rear stand

- Adapter for tanks with the older Paterson centre column

- USB-C charging cable (no power adapter)

- Quick start guide

+ With the tank version, also in the box

- Paterson Super System 4 Universal tank (PTP115)

- 2 Paterson auto-load reels

- Tank lid and stir stick

The modified funnel and rear stand are needed to use AGO and come with every unit, so

there is nothing to drill and no separate funnel to buy.

Specifications

- Processes. B&W, C-41, E-6, ECN-2, RA-4 paper

- Built-in chemistry profiles. Adox, Arista, Bellini, Cinestill, Flic Film, Fuji Hunt,

Ilfocolor, Ilford, Jobo, Kodak, Rollei, Unicolor. Custom programs for anything else

- Formats. 35mm and 120 on standard Paterson reels. 110, 4×5 in, 5×7 in, 8×10 in and

9×12 cm sheet film, Super 8 and paper up to 12×16 in on dedicated AGO reels

- Tanks. Paterson Super System 4, 1 to 8 reels (PTP114 to PTP118). Tanks with the older

centre column use the AGO adapter in the box. Not Jobo, AP or Yankee tanks, or the

older Paterson Tank System

- Capacity. Up to 8 rolls of 35mm or 5 rolls of 120. For even results with 120 in the

Multi-Reel 8 tank, run 4 reels or use spacers

- Chemistry per tank (minimum, 35mm or 120 reels). 35mm tank (PTP114) 250 ml, Universal

(PTP115) 350 ml, Multi-Reel 3 (PTP116) 450 ml, Multi-Reel 5 (PTP117) 650 ml,

Multi-Reel 8 (PTP118) 950 ml. Other AGO reels list their own volume

- Agitation. Horizontal rotary (default), vertical stick and semi-stand. Speed and

intervals adjustable per step

- Time compensation. Measures the chemistry temperature and adjusts each step's time to

it. Horizontal rotary mode only

- Heating. None. Warm the chemistry 1-2 °C above its starting temperature before you

begin

- Control. Buttons and LCD screen on the unit, with built-in programs. Custom programs

in a phone or laptop browser over WiFi. No app, no Bluetooth

- Power. Two rechargeable 18650 Li-ion cells, USB-C charging (5 V, 3 A). About 5 hours

of run time per charge, a full day of developing

- Size and weight (AGO unit). 88 × 136 × 170 mm, 556 g

- Protection rating. IP56

- Updates. Free firmware updates over WiFi

- Warranty. 2 years from the date of purchase, transferable, proof of purchase needed

- Made in. Designed and assembled in Tallinn, Estonia

Reels for other formats

35mm and 120 go on standard Paterson reels. Every other format has its own AGO reel,

sold separately.

- 110 film. REEL 110. Any Super System 4 tank

- 4×5 in sheet film, 4 sheets. REEL 4×5. Multi-Reel 3 or larger

- 9×12 cm sheet film, 4 sheets. REEL 9×12. Multi-Reel 3 or larger

- 5×7 in or 13×18 cm sheet film, 2 sheets. REEL 5×7. Multi-Reel 5 or 8

- 8×10 in sheet film, or paper up to 8×10 in. REEL Paper 5. Multi-Reel 5 or larger

- 5×7 in paper prints. REEL Bundle Paper 5 + 5×7. Multi-Reel 5 or larger

- Paper up to 12×16 in, AGO only. REEL Paper 8, with Quick Pour Funnel. Multi-Reel 8

- Super 8 cine film, 50 ft. REEL Super 8. Multi-Reel 8 only

- Spare modified funnel and rear stand, with 3 adapters for older Paterson tanks.

Modified Funnel and Rear Stand Kit. Any Super System 4 tank

- Faster pouring. AGO Quick Pour Funnel. Any Super System 4 tank

Questions and answers

Does AGO heat the chemicals?

No. You bring your chemistry to its normal start temperature first, with a water bath or

sous vide, then pour it in. From there AGO measures the temperature continuously and

adjusts the development time as the chemistry naturally cools, so the result still comes

out right.

Which tanks does AGO work with, and can I use one I already own?

All Paterson Super System 4 tanks, including one you already own. Every AGO comes with

the modified Paterson funnel it needs. Tanks with the older Paterson centre column also

need the AGO adapter, which is in the box too. Spares come in the Modified Funnel and

Rear Stand Kit, and the adapter is a free 3D-print file on the Vintage Visual downloads

page. AGO does not work with Jobo, AP or Yankee tanks, or the older Paterson "Tank

System" model.

How many rolls can I do at once?

From one roll up to eight rolls of 35mm, or up to five rolls of 120, in a Paterson

Multi-Reel 8 tank with roughly one litre of chemistry. Smaller tanks use less. For even

results with 120 in the 8-reel tank, run four reels or use spacers.

What film formats can I develop?

110, 35mm, every 120 size, and sheet film in 4×5 in, 5×7 in, 8×10 in and 9×12 cm. Super

8 cine film works with the dedicated Super 8 reel, and RA-4 paper prints go up to 12×16

in. 35mm and 120 use standard Paterson reels. The other formats use a dedicated AGO

reel, sold separately.

Is there an app?

No. AGO runs from its own buttons and screen. For custom programs it connects over WiFi

to a browser interface on your phone or laptop. Name each program, set step times,

temperatures and agitation, save as many as you like, and share them with other AGO

owners.

What else do I need?

Chemistry for the process you run, a way to bring it to its start temperature such as a

water bath or a sous vide, and a changing bag or a dark room for loading the reels.

Measuring jugs and storage bottles make mixing easier. ECN-2 film needs its remjet

removed before it goes on AGO, as usual. (AGO Film Processor, without tank) You also

need a Paterson Super System 4 tank and reels.

What is the warranty, and where is AGO made?

Two years from the date of purchase, covering defects in materials and workmanship. It

is transferable and needs proof of purchase. To make a claim, contact the shop you

bought it from or Vintage Visual directly. AGO is designed and assembled in Tallinn,

Estonia.

The AGO Film Processor is a compact solution for photographers who want to develop films at home. Thanks to its motorised, programmable rotation, the device ensures even chemical distribution, leading to reproducible results without development errors. Active Time Compensation automatically compensates for temperature fluctuations by shortening or lengthening the development process. This makes the processor particularly suitable for those who want a workflow with minimal manual intervention.

The award-winning AGO Film Processor from Vintage Visual brings analogue film processing with digital convenience to your home.

Easily develop color film with temperature-adjusted time compensation algorithms - allowing you more flexibility. Save time and get consistent results with automated agitation. Save up to 60% on chemicals using rotary-style processing, instead of vertical or inversion agitation.

The AGO comes with a variety of popular chemical kit brands pre-programmed to deal with temperature fluctuations, but utilizing the Wi-Fi connections using AGO web usr-interface makes it possible for you to add your own programs or download new ones supplied by Vintage Visual in the future.

Battery powered (USB-C charging port) with up to 5 hours of constant work without charging.

The AGO is compatible with all Paterson Super System 4 developing tanks.

Watch the Indiegogo Introduction Video

Included:

• AGO Film Processor
• Paterson Super System 4 developing tank (PTP115) - for two 35mm, one 120 roll, or a compatible 4x5 reel made for rotary processing (4x5 reel not included) like the REEL-4x5 from Vintage Visual
• 2 reels
• Rear Stand
• USB-C charging cable
• Instructions

Features:

Time Compensation

AGO is equipped with a temperature sensor and clever algorithm which adjusts time according to the temperature of the chemicals, giving you more flexibility.

You no longer need to meticulously maintain the chemical temperature; you just pour in the chemicals within the right temperature range. AGO takes care of the rest by continuously monitoring the temperature and automatically adjusting the processing time during the process, guaranteeing consistently perfect negatives every time.

Automated Agitation

Featuring both horizontal rotational and vertical stick agitation modes, while we typically recommend the rotational mode for its chemical efficiency and compatibility with time compensation. You have the flexibility to adjust the default agitation speed and intervals for both agitation modes according to your personal preferences.

Reduced Chemical Consumption

With rotational agitation you can save up to 60% on chemicals depending on your use case and the size of Paterson tank you decide to use vs. traditional vertical or inversion agitation.

WiFi connectivity

You can connect to your AGO with Wi-Fi to modify and create your own programs for processes and keep the software updated.

Compatibility

• 4x5 Large Format
• Medium Format (120)
• 35mm

Develop

• Black & White
• C-41
• E-6
• ECN-2

Processes included in AGO right now

B&W – General

B&W – Cinestill DF96

C-41 – Tetenal

C-41 – Bellini

C-41 – Cinestill

C-41 – Arista, Unicolor

E-6 – Cinestill D6

E-6 – Arista

ECN-2 – Cinestill

RA-4 – Arista

• We plan to grow this database over the years.

Designed in Estonia

Process your film at home with lab-quality results, effortlessly.

The AGO film developer uses innovative time compensation technology, automatically adjusting development time based on the actual temperature of your chemicals, ensuring consistent results without the need for constant monitoring. Its automated agitation system ensures even distribution of chemicals, which is essential for achieving high-quality films. You can customise the agitation settings according to different film types and preferences, making the unit versatile for a variety of photographic needs.

This processor excels in chemical efficiency thanks to its horizontal rotary processing, which reduces product usage by up to 60%, making your film development both economical and environmentally friendly. Compatible with many film formats, including 35 mm, 120 and, with optional accessories, 4x5 and 8x10 films, it supports black and white films, colour negatives (C-49) and black and white films (C-49). slides (E-6) and motion picture film (ECN-2). The processor can also support RA-4 development.

With a clear, intuitive interface, the AGO film processor allows you to select pre-programmed development processes or create custom processes.

Its built-in Wi-Fi connectivity allows you to update the firmware and add new development programmes, keeping your developer up to date. The device is compact, portable and rechargeable, offering up to five hours of continuous use on a single charge.

Key features:

• Time compensation technology for automatic temperature adjustment
• Automated agitation for consistent film development
• Time compensation technology for film development adjustments
• Efficient use of chemicals (up to 60% consumption)
• Versatile compatibility with 35 mm, 120, and larger formats
• Supports black and white film, colour negatives, slides, and motion picture film
• User-friendly interface with customisable settings
• Wi-Fi connectivity for firmware updates and new programmes
• Portable and rechargeable design for convenient use

With the AGO Film AGO developer, developing films at home becomes simple and reliable, allowing you to devote more time to your creativity and your passion for photography.