AGO Film Processor with Paterson Super System 4 Universal Tank
AGO is a compact automatic rotary film processor designed to take over two of the most repetitive parts of home film developing: agitation and keeping track of development time as your chemistry cools.
Designed and assembled in Tallinn, Estonia, AGO works with Paterson Super System 4 tanks and automatically rotates the reels during processing. Its Active Time Compensation system continuously measures the chemistry temperature and adjusts the duration of each step as the chemistry cools, helping you achieve consistent results without having to maintain an exact temperature throughout the whole process.
This version includes a Paterson Super System 4 Universal tank (PTP115) and two Paterson auto-load reels, allowing you to process up to two rolls of 35mm or one roll of 120 straight from the box.
Why We Like It
AGO makes home film processing much more hands-off without taking away the flexibility that makes developing your own film so rewarding. Once your chemistry is at the correct starting temperature, AGO handles the agitation, watches the temperature and tells you when it is time to change solutions.
We also like that it builds around the widely used Paterson Super System 4 rather than locking you into a completely separate processing system. If your developing needs grow, AGO can be used with Paterson tanks from one reel right up to the Multi-Reel 8.
Ideal For
- Home film processing
- Black and white, C-41, E-6 and ECN-2 film development
- RA-4 colour paper processing
- Photographers looking for automated rotary agitation
- More consistent temperature-sensitive colour processing
- Photographers who already use Paterson Super System 4 tanks
- Small darkrooms and higher-volume home processing
Automatic Rotary Agitation
Place your loaded Paterson tank horizontally on the AGO and it automatically rotates the reel during processing. Horizontal rotary agitation is the standard operating mode and is also the mode used for Active Time Compensation.
Agitation speed and intervals can be adjusted for individual steps, giving you control over how each process runs. AGO also supports vertical stick and semi-stand agitation methods for suitable custom programs.
Active Time Compensation
AGO does not heat your chemistry. Instead, bring your chemicals to their normal starting temperature before processing, ideally around 1–2°C above the required start temperature, then pour them into the tank and start the program.
A built-in temperature sensor continuously monitors the chemistry as it naturally cools. AGO then adjusts the length of each processing step accordingly. This removes much of the need for constant temperature maintenance once development has started.
Built-In Processing Programs
Programs for the most popular photographic processes are built into AGO, including:
- Black and white
- C-41 colour negative
- E-6 colour reversal
- ECN-2 motion picture film
- RA-4 colour paper
Built-in chemistry profiles include Adox, Arista, Bellini, Cinestill, Flic Film, Fuji Hunt, Ilfocolor, Ilford, Jobo, Kodak, Rollei and Unicolor.
For black and white processing, AGO includes a rotary option that reduces the entered developer time by 15%. This means you can enter the standard hand-inversion development time from your chemistry chart and let AGO make the rotary adjustment.
Create Your Own Programs Over WiFi
AGO works directly from the buttons and LCD screen on the processor, so there is no app or Bluetooth connection required.
For custom processing programs, connect to AGO over WiFi and open its browser interface on your phone or laptop. You can create programs with your own times, temperatures and agitation settings, save them for future use and share them with other AGO users.
Firmware updates and additional chemistry profiles are also provided free over WiFi.
Compatible With Paterson Super System 4 Tanks
AGO works with Paterson Super System 4 tanks from the single-reel tank through to the Multi-Reel 8. The included Universal tank (PTP115) holds two 35mm reels or one 120 reel.
With larger Paterson tanks, AGO can process up to eight rolls of 35mm or five rolls of 120 using approximately one litre of chemistry. When processing 120 in the Multi-Reel 8 tank, Vintage Visual recommends using four reels or suitable spacers for the most even results.
Tanks with the older Paterson centre column can also be used with the included AGO adapter.
AGO is not compatible with Jobo, AP or Yankee tanks, or the older Paterson Tank System.
Use Less Chemistry
Because AGO processes horizontally using rotary agitation, considerably less chemistry can be required than with traditional hand inversion. With a fully loaded Multi-Reel 8 tank, chemical use can be reduced by up to 60% compared with hand inversion.
More Than 35mm and 120
Standard Paterson reels handle 35mm and 120 film. Dedicated AGO reels, available separately, extend the system to a much wider range of formats, including:
- 110 film
- 4x5in sheet film
- 5x7in sheet film
- 8x10in sheet film
- 9x12cm sheet film
- Super 8 cine film
- RA-4 paper up to 12x16in
Different formats require the appropriate AGO reel and, in some cases, a larger Paterson Super System 4 tank.
Up to Five Hours of Battery Life
AGO is powered by two rechargeable 18650 lithium-ion cells and charges via USB-C. A full charge provides approximately five hours of operating time, enough for a full day's developing for most users.
A USB-C charging cable is supplied. A USB power adapter is not included.
What's Included
- AGO Film Processor
- Paterson Super System 4 Universal tank (PTP115)
- 2 Paterson auto-load reels
- Modified 3-hole Paterson funnel
- AGO rear stand
- Adapter for Paterson tanks with the older centre column
- Tank lid
- Paterson stir stick
- USB-C charging cable
- Quick start guide
The modified funnel and rear stand required to use AGO are included with the processor, so there is no need to drill or modify your own funnel.
Key Features
- Automatic rotary processing for Paterson Super System 4 tanks
- Active Time Compensation adjusts processing time as chemistry cools
- Built-in B&W, C-41, E-6, ECN-2 and RA-4 programs
- Built-in profiles for major photographic chemistry brands
- Create custom programs through a browser over WiFi
- No dedicated app or Bluetooth connection required
- Adjustable agitation speed and intervals
- Supports horizontal rotary, vertical stick and semi-stand agitation
- Compatible with Paterson Super System 4 tanks from 1 to 8 reels
- Processes up to 8 rolls of 35mm or 5 rolls of 120 with a suitable tank
- Dedicated accessory reels available for sheet film, 110, Super 8 and RA-4 paper
- Up to 60% less chemistry than hand inversion with a full Multi-Reel 8 setup
- Approximately 5 hours of operation per charge
- USB-C charging
- Free firmware updates over WiFi
- IP56 protection rating
- Designed and assembled in Tallinn, Estonia
- 2-year transferable manufacturer's warranty
Specifications
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Processes: B&W, C-41, E-6, ECN-2 and RA-4 paper
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Compatible tanks: Paterson Super System 4, PTP114 to PTP118
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Maximum capacity: 8 rolls of 35mm or 5 rolls of 120 with a suitable tank
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Included tank capacity: 2 rolls of 35mm or 1 roll of 120
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Agitation: Horizontal rotary, vertical stick and semi-stand
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Time Compensation: Available in horizontal rotary mode
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Heating: None
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Control: On-unit buttons and LCD screen, browser interface over WiFi for custom programs
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Power: 2 rechargeable 18650 Li-ion cells
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Charging: USB-C, 5V / 3A
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Run time: Approximately 5 hours per charge
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AGO dimensions: 88 x 136 x 170mm
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AGO weight: 556g
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Protection rating: IP56
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Warranty: 2 years
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Made in: Designed and assembled in Tallinn, Estonia
Please Note
AGO does not heat photographic chemistry. You will still need a suitable method, such as a water bath or sous vide heater, to bring temperature-sensitive chemistry to its correct starting temperature before processing.
35mm and 120 film use standard Paterson reels. Other formats require the appropriate AGO reel and compatible Paterson Super System 4 tank, sold separately.
MPN: VA005
