The Most Portable Darkroom I've Ever Used: REEL Paper 8 Field Test

Does the REEL Paper 8 from Vintage Visual really let you make prints up to 12x16 inches from virtually anywhere? I took this unassuming photographic tool into the heart of the Nantahala National Forest to find out. 

I suppose life is full of “what ifs” and “could’ve beens.” 

In the autumn of 2022 I converted my vehicle into a camper and sold my house to see what photographs waited for me out on the open highway.

For nearly two years I traveled the United States coast to coast with my dog, a darkroom built from an ice fishing hut, and an unholy arsenal of digital and film cameras.

I’ve shot, developed, and printed color and black and white film ranging from 135 to 120 format, 4x5, 8x10, up to 11x14 ultra large format (the procurement of that giant camera proved quite interesting) all while living the life of a true nomad.

I’ve pulled silver-gelatin prints at the doorstep of the Gulf of Maine. I’ve washed cyanotypes with melted New Mexico snow. 

Salt-prints carry their own misery when that west Tennessee humidity makes the darkroom walls weep with condensation.

Of course, none of that matters now. 

My picture making comes easier these days, but all those experiences lend my tired eyes a unique perspective to the mortal horrors one can encounter when attempting to make real photographic prints in inhospitable places.

I hope you’ll trust my judgment.

The REEL Paper 8

In terms of presentation, the REEL Paper 8 from Vintage Visual is simple enough. It’s a well executed ABS plastic cylinder, perforated and slotted to accommodate papers up to 12x16 inches. Here’s a full spec sheet from the Vintage Visual website:

• Maximum size: 30cm x 40cm or 12 x 16 inch paper
• Fits Paterson 8-reel tank
• Material: ASA plastic
• For use with the AGO Film Processor
• Quick Pour Funnel included

I measured my REEL Paper 8 and it’s roughly 12 3/4 inches (32.4cm) long by about 3 1/2 inches (8.9cm) wide. Though I never weighed it, the overall feel is quite light.

I processed six sheets of 8x10 silver-gelatin Ilford Fiber-Base Gloss paper using the REEL Paper 8 in the backcountry of the Nantahala National Forest of North Carolina. 

It was a true beginning to end process from image capture using 4x5 film, developing the negatives, then printing those negatives with the REEL Paper 8.

You can watch the entire thing in the YouTube episode above or by clicking right here.

Important Observations

The REEL Paper 8 performed flawlessly during my printing. It did precisely what it says it will do: allow printing of large format photographs without the need for trays, a dedicated darkroom, and without excessive chemistry.

Let me lay out the pros and cons for you about the REEL Paper 8.

The Good

Yes, the REEL Paper 8 eliminated the need for packing along my 11x14 darkroom trays. 

Normally, my remote production of silver-gelatin prints requires no less than three trays, ideally five. Not having to truck along those trays saves an enormous amount of space. 

The convenience of developing, stopping, fixing, and rinsing silver-gelatin paper in a single Paterson tank was absolute bliss.

Since I wasn’t using open trays, hypothetically about 1/3 less chemistry was needed across the board, although I chose to use roughly the same amount as usual during my tests for the benefit of simpler mixing volumes.

The REEL Paper 8 is quite well made. It fits the 8-reel Paterson Super System tank (not included) perfectly. 

I saw virtually zero imperfections in its molding and it accommodated the 8x10 sheets of paper with no snags or gouges.

Obviously, the REEL Paper 8 is engineered to be used with the AGO Film Processor. This means that all the development presets, temperature adjustment timer, and automatic agitation programs work to produce extremely consistent results.

If you want to drink in a long-term review of the AGO Film-Processor, then have a look here. My original review of the AGO is also on Fstoppers.

I can honestly say that having the REEL Paper 8 with me on the road would have been an absolute dream in terms of space saving convenience. 

The Bad

The single greatest drawback to the REEL Paper 8 is its substantial up-front investment. 

At B&H Photo, it’s $115. If purchasing directly from Vintage Visual, the Quick Pour Funnel is included.

In addition to the cost of the reel itself, you’ll also require the Paterson 8-reel tank. If you don’t already have one, you can tack on roughly $100US to the initial investment.

Since the entire REEL Paper 8 system is made for use with the AGO processor, the price of that unit must also be factored in unless you intend to agitate the tank by hand.

While technically geared to be used without the need for a darkroom, in order to expose your silver-gelatin prints you will absolutely need some type of light-proof space (along with printing light source). 

This need is negated if making UV exposures such as cyanotypes, salt prints, ect.

However, to say that a person can definitively use the REEL Paper 8 completely without a darkroom for all types a printing is not precisely accurate.

The Big Question

Is the REEL Paper 8 worth the investment?

For someone who is hoping to print a large amount of silver-gelatin or more specifically, RA-4 color prints… absolutely yes, the REEL Paper 8 is a fantastic option for producing consistent results. 

For those with limited space or for the earnestly insane like yours truly, who often chooses to operate remotely for truly off-grid photographic adventures, the utility of the REEL Paper 8 is undeniable.

Furthermore, for those who already own the giant Paterson 8-reel tank then the cost to benefit ratio skyrockets.

Conversely, if you already have built-out your printing space in a cozy little corner of your home and you’ve got plenty of room, with absolutely zero aspirations for galivanting into the wilds for off-grid printing… then I have to say the REEL Paper 8 likely won’t tick enough boxes to pay for itself.

This all means nothing if you’re a third type of photographer/printmaker: the ones who simply love trying new gadgets that might make your work easier in the long run.

Over to you. What are your thoughts on pieces of kit such as the REEL Paper 8? Is it a gimmick or a sign of the future?