Designed for use with a lab-box system, the M-Box promises to automatically streamline film development by automating the movement.
Back in 2017, Petpixel Covered Lab-box release, a “multi-format daylight-loading film tank”, in other words, a modern home film development system that works without the need for a darkroom.
Analog photography continues to attract both a new generation of both physicians and film enthusiasts. With the increasing interest in home development, items that simplify this process are emerging in the market. Latest addition to Lab-box system is M-BoxAn automatic movement accessory is specifically designed for use with a lab-box delite tank.
M-box is presented as a means of streamlining film development, while enhancing stability and accuracy. For many photographers, the movement is one of the most important yet repeated stages in dark workflow. By automating this task, M-Box allows users to focus on other stages while maintaining confidence in their negative quality.
Design and construction
The design of M-Box reflects the same beauty principles that popularized lab-box. Matt with orange highlights is made of black plastic, easy to compact and transport. A power knob and program selectors are located at the top, as well as LED indicators that show the charge position.
Inside, a magnetic motor moves the movement process. The motor is attached to the lab-box through a removable pin, while the base has a silicone cap that protects the battery compartment and stores the charging cable. The charging is handled through the USB-c connection, and the unit is supplied with four rechargeable AA batteries.
Agitation program
One of the defined characteristics of M-Box is its three selected movement modes, each of which is sewn for different stages of film development. Constant slow rotation mode, working at about 40 rpm, is best suited for stops, fixing and washing stages where a high speed is unnecessary. This mode also preservations energy in the film ensuring chemical action.
For the growth phase, the intermittent sharp rotation mode provides about 80 rpm movement, with four-second stop at every sixteen seconds. This alternative rhythm is designed to increase uniformity, especially in areas of negatives which are likely to be streaks such as the sky and smooth background.
Finally, continuous rapid rotation mode, running at about 80 rpm, is also recommended for film development with rapid stops, fixes and wash bicycles. While this program is the most demanding on battery life, it provides time and efficiency when time is a factor.
Together, these options give flexibility and control to photographers, while reduce the risk of uneven growth and required efforts during manual processing.
Battery and charging
The M-box has an estimated runTime of 60 to 70 minutes at the maximum speed. As the charge level decreases from 100 percent to 25 percent, the speed of rotation falls slightly, although it remains above the minimum required for equal development.
For the best results, the manufacturer recommends recharging after every three development sessions, or at least once the battery level decreases by 50 percent. Once the unit is fully operated, it is straight to charge with red indicator light switching.
Compatibility and use
Accessory is designed to work originally and particularly with both 35 mm of the lab-box system and 120 modules. Photographers can easily attach it and start processing without additional tools or a complex setup. This compatibility ensures that M-Box is useful for a wide range of users, from early to advanced physicians.
The box includes motor, USB-C cable, four rechargeable batteries, a silicone protective cap and a crank system with a magnetic pin. The lab-box tank is not included itself.
A modern partner for a classic practice
Developed in Italy, M-Box shows that the purpose of new goods is to complement classic film practices by presenting the characteristics that enhance the process without compromising the touch element of analog photography. Its compact design and automatic features aim to make film processing more accessible to new people, while already providing additional features for photographers familiar with the lab-box system.
This release comes at a time when the film photography remains a stable appearance in the scene culture. Products such as M-Box explain how manufacturers are looking for ways to mix dark techniques installed with contemporary technology, which aims to preserve the character of analog processes by reducing some more labor-intensive stages.
Pricing and availability
M box The hopes of starting in the end of October 2025 have been scheduled to press from 11–14 September 2025 at a promotional price of $ 140 (€ 119) with shipping with shipping. After this initial period, the regular retail price will be $ 163 (€ 139).
Image Credit: Lab box
