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Want to Develop Your Own Film? Try the Compact AGO Film Processor

The AGO Film Process simplifies the process for black-and-white, C-41, and E-6 films.

Jourdan Aldredge • Jan 08, 2025

While most professionals in the photo and video world use digital cameras and workflows for the vast majority of their work, there’s something to be said about doing things the old-fashioned analog way.

Shooting and developing your own film can be a very rewarding process, whether it's for rare projects that require it or just as a fun passion project. I personally believe it makes you a better filmmaker or photographer overall, as it helps one connect with the fundamental roots of image capture.

Still, while finding 35mm cameras and film stock is relatively easy these days, developing your own film is not, and most often requires taking your film into studios to process. But what if we told you that there was a DIY-style compact film processor that you could use at home?

You’d be interested in that, right?

Well, good news for you as a recent Indiegogo from the company AGO is in the process of launching their compact film processor. Let’s check it out and explore its defining temperature control feature, which should bring your color film development to life.

The AGO Film Processor

Launched on Indiegogo back in 2023, the AGO Film Processor has been a long time coming. Developed by Arno Peever, a mechanical engineer from Estonia, the Indiegogo campaign for the AGO Film Processor closed with over $100k raised.

Designed to bring professional film development into the hands of DIY creators who want to unlock the world of analog photography easily, the AGO Film Process simplifies the process for black-and-white, C-41, and E-6 films.

Featuring a compact motor, an advanced temperature sensor, and an intelligent time compensation system, the AGO Film Processor not only saves users money but can also reduce chemical waste by up to 60%.

Early Reviews of the AGO Film Processor

As you can see in the video above, UK-based photographer Kyle McDougall has released one of the first hands-on reviews of the AGO. Using a beta unit, McDougall does a good job of testing the AGO through the paces of film processing, including trying out its most unique features, like temperature control, which can help it bring confidence to your color film development workflows.

Price and Availability

If you’d like to explore the AGO Film Processor further and see how it could revolutionize your film development process by autonomously agitating your films, sending timely reminders to change chemicals, and storing customizable programs for various film-developer combinations, you can check it out on Vintage Visuals here.

Here are the full product features, specs, and price:

  • Active Time-Temperature Compensation

  • Automatic continuous agitation

  • Rotary processing – saves your chemicals!

  • Create custom programs or use the growing library of default programs

  • Compatible with all-size Paterson Super System 4 tanks

  • A timely alarm ensures you are ready for the next processing step at the right time.

  • Formats you can process: 110, 135, 120, 4×5, 5×7 … 8×10

  • Processes you can do: B&W, C-41, E-6, ECN-2, RA4

Price: $483

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