Since wrapping up our 1100% funded Kickstarter campaign in early July, things at the Zebra workshop have been moving quickly. Instead of pausing to celebrate, we’ve taken all the energy and excitement and poured it directly into finalising the design of the Zebra Daylight Processing Tanks.

I’m thrilled to share that the final prototype is now complete, and we have over 600 tanks currently in production. Our goal from the very beginning was simple: to build a processing system that is not only easy and fast to use, but also safe, reliable, and durable enough to last a lifetime.

If you’ve been following our previous updates, you’ll know that many key improvements have already been introduced, but we didn’t stop there. In this post, I’ll walk you through the final refinements we’ve made before kicking off full-scale production.

Lid Design: Less Light, Same Speed

After additional field testing, especially during the intense summer heat, we made one last tweak to the lid. We narrowed the openings slightly to reduce light exposure to the light maze by nearly 50%, without affecting fill times.

This means a 4×5 tank can still be filled in just 5–6 seconds, ensuring the developer reaches the film evenly and quickly, which is crucial for avoiding artifacts during development.

Another important change to the lid is the light maze system itself. Previously held in place with a snap-lock, it’s now secured by two stainless steel screws. This prevents long-term wear and allows the light maze to be easily removed for deep cleaning when needed. A small change that adds a lot of longevity and flexibility.

Tank Body: Stronger, Smarter, Field-Ready

The tank body has gone through significant changes since the early prototypes. The top of the tank is now wider and more robust, providing better structural stability and virtually no flex, even on the larger 8×10 version.

We also replaced the lid’s original elastic band system with stainless steel clasps. These not only feel much more secure in hand, but they also work in any orientation, even in complete darkness. They press the lid firmly against a seamless, chemically resistant inner seal, creating a 100% watertight and light-tight seal, even under extreme conditions.

This means the tank is now more than just suitable for studio or home use – it’s ideal for field work. For those who develop on the go, you’ll even be able to keep your negatives submerged in water during transport and complete the final rinse at home.

A small but important visual and functional change: the lid now sits inside the tank body rather than resting on top. This makes it easier to align and insert, while also offering better protection for the edges of the lid.

Inserts: Smoother Handling, Cleaner Results

Based on additional testing, we decided to redesign the inserts completely, and for good reason.

First, the original design could sometimes cause turbulence during agitation, which risked leaving subtle marks or artifacts on the film. We reshaped the outer shell of the insert to reduce the chance of this to near zero, allowing for smoother chemical flow around the film.

Second, and more importantly, the previous design occasionally created a vacuum effect, especially when removing wet film or paper. To fix this, the new insert features micro-grooves and minimised surface contact with the emulsion side of the film. The result is much smoother loading and unloading, without the frustrating suction.

These may seem like minor refinements, but in practice, they make a significant difference.

HERE IS ALSO A SHORT VIDEO:

Shipping Timeline

On Kickstarter, we originally estimated that tanks would begin shipping in December 2025. I’m happy to report that we’re well ahead of schedule. Production is already underway, and if everything stays on track, we’ll begin fulfilling orders much earlier than planned.

To thank you for being part of this journey, we’re also preparing a small gift to include with each order, a set of complementary tools to support your workflow and show our appreciation.

What’s next?

A full user manual is coming soon to the website. It will cover everything from handling and care to deep cleaning instructions and field-use tips. We’re also documenting the production process and will be sharing more behind-the-scenes photos as things progress.

Thank you again to everyone who supported the Kickstarter, offered feedback, tested prototypes, and helped shape the final product. The Zebra Daylight Processing Tank is something we’ve truly built together, and I can’t wait to get it into your hands.

Stay tuned. More updates are coming soon.