I intended to write a review of the Cinestill TSC-1000. But as I start writing, I realise my thoughts are more about using a device like the TCS-1000 than the item itself. The TCS-1000 happens to be the device I chose.

Temperature control is critical; so far it's been achieved by using a washing-up bowl filled with water to hold the chemicals. Old photographers talk of St Ansel's Day, the magical time in early summer when water coming out of the tap is exactly 20 degrees. On the other 364 days of the year, I'd waste a lot of time filling a large container with varying amounts of hot and cold water. The quantity of each depends on the temperature of the water coming out of the tap. Filling the bottle, adding some hot, it's too much, tipping some away, adding some cold - trying to get as close as possible to 20°C.

Once mixed, the chemicals need to be maintained at as constant a temperature as possible. So I stand the measuring cylinders in the bowl and fill it with water. Again going through the process of juggling the hot and cold taps. It worked, but it was a chore and certainly the part of the process I liked the least.

In film processing terms I'm a very conservative animal. I realise at this point I've been developing film, black & white film that is, for over forty years - if I say a started really young would you believe me?

I develop my own film because I like the results; yes, I enjoy the process, but mainly it's about the results. Some photographers are there to experiment, constantly trying different films and combinations of developer. All power to them, but that's not me. I shoot Kodak Tri-X, which I develop in HC-110 that's it, properly old-school. I know what it's going to look like, and that's what I want. 

That may help to explain why it took me forty years to try to process colour film at home; I don’t like to rush these things. I used to shoot so little colour it never seemed worth the bother. But I’ve been shooting more recently and with lockdown, I had more time than I needed so why not.

DIPPING MY TOE IN THE COLOUR POOL

Processing colour film is far more temperature critical. Let the temperature drift too far, and your colours will drift with it. Hence my impetus to find a more accurate way to control the temperature. I'd read that photographers were using cooking sous-vides in a big ‘ole bucket of water. Then Cinestill launched the TCS-1000.

So far, it's worked well. I processed twelve rolls from my first Unicolor C-41 kit with no problems. My experience with the TCS-1000 has been a good one. I've used it for both my colour and black & white process. Now I fill my trusty five-litre container, aiming to get as close to 20°C, but not above. I then fill a bucket with water, the five-litre container sits in the bucket, and I fire up the TCS-1000.

My only annoyance with the TCS-1000 is that it always defaults to 38°C, the usual temperature for processing colour. Don't absentmindedly start it at this temperature when processing b&w, as I have done more than once. It will take seconds for the water to get over 20°C. Even after you turn it off, the heat in the element will keep warming it while you frantically adjust the temperature. I’d love to be able to reset the default temperature, I can always increase it if needed.

IS THE TCS-1000 NOTHING MORE THAN A SOUS-VIDE?

I'd read contradictory reports about the Cinestill device. Is it a sous-vide with a Cinestill badge at twice the price? Cinestill says not. They're obviously aware of the accusations; their website lists the ways the TCS-1000 improves on the garden variety sous-vide. I and 99% of the reviewers online aren't in a position to comment one way or the other. Call me naive, but I like to trust people until they give me a reason not to. If you think the TCS-1000 is nothing more than an expensive sous-vide then head to eBay the choice is yours.

Whether you use a sous-vide or a TCS-1000 I'd like to hear your experiences. All I can say at this stage is I wish I'd bought one sooner.

Pass the Tri-X and as always, let's be careful out there.

Cinestill website