Everything you need before your first rolls is on this page, from putting AGO on the tank to updating the firmware. The quick start guide in the box covers the first run, and the full manual is on our Downloads page.
Assembling
Load your film onto the reels in the dark and put them in the Paterson tank first. Everything after that happens in room light.
Fit the rear stand
Put the rear stand on the Paterson tank before the AGO goes on.
Turn the funnel holes down
Hold the AGO so the funnel holes face down. They must face down every time you attach it.
Press it on from above
Stand the tank upright on a table and press the AGO down onto it from above with your body weight, until the rubber seal is fully on. Then lay it on a flat surface.
Test it with water once
Before your first chemistry, fill the assembled tank with water and run a program. If no water comes out at the joint, the seal is complete.
Using an older Paterson tank? Its centre column can stop the film from developing. Check it first.
Pouring in
Pour each chemical in from the front of the AGO, not from the side of the screen. Then press START.
The Quick Pour Funnel clicks onto the tank and gives a wide opening that cuts down on splashes, which helps most with the larger volumes of C-41, E-6 and RA-4. It can stay on when you pour out.
Pouring out
When the timer reaches zero, it is time to pour out. You don't need to take the AGO off the tank.
Hold the tank and the AGO together and turn them over, so the chemistry runs out over the rim of the tank. To reuse it, pour it back into its bottle through a funnel.
Keep the membrane dry
A small membrane on the back of the AGO evens out the air pressure. It has to stay dry.
- Never pour water onto the back of the AGO. If you see drops of water there, wipe or blow them off straight away.
- When you wash the film under a running tap, keep the water away from the back. You can also take the AGO off and wash the tank on its own.
- After each session, switch the AGO off and wipe it with a damp cloth. Rinse only the parts that touch chemistry, and never put the AGO in water.
Cleaning and greasing the seal are covered in Maintenance of AGO.
How much chemistry
AGO agitates the reels with the tank lying on its side, so it needs less chemistry than turning the tank by hand. Use at least these volumes.
| Paterson tank | 35mm rolls | 120 rolls | Minimum with AGO |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-reel | 1 | – | 250 ml |
| 2-reel (Universal) | 2 | 1 | 350 ml |
| Multi-reel 3 | 3 | 2 | 450 ml |
| Multi-reel 5 | 5 | 3 | 650 ml |
| Multi-reel 8 | 8 | 5 | 950 ml |
With the 4×5 reel, use the listed volume exactly. Volumes for the other reels are in the full minimum chemical volumes chart.
WiFi and updating
AGO makes its own WiFi network. You join it from a phone or laptop to update the firmware or build your own programs. While you are connected to AGO, your device has no internet, so download what you need first.
Download the firmware
Get the latest file from the Downloads page. It ends in .bin, there is nothing to unzip.
Turn on WiFi on the AGO
Go to Settings → Firmware Update and switch on WiFi Web Server.
Connect
Join the network AGO (password 12345678). Your device may say there is no internet; stay connected. Open a browser and go to the address on the AGO screen, usually 10.10.10.1.
Update
Open the Update tab, choose the file and press Update. AGO restarts on its own. On a Mac, use Chrome for the upload.
Check the version
After the restart, Settings → Software version shows the new version.
Can't connect? Connecting AGO to Wi-Fi goes through the usual fixes. Updating from an older version has its own video in the firmware update guidance.