Ordering, Shipping, FAQ

Ordering, shipping, FAQ

Placing an order
Thank you for shopping at pira.mx follow these steps to place an order:

– Go to the shop page and choose one of the available options (at launch only one Darkroom Helper version)
– Click on the drop down list to select the estimated shipping time, according to availability some might be out of stock.
– Click on the “Add to cart” button.
– Review your final order and choose the shipping method.
– On the next page you can input your billing, shipping addresses, VAT number and any special order notes.
– Choose your preferred payment method and click on “Place order” once you’re ready.
– You will soon receive an email with the order confirmation.
– Optional: If you’d like to keep a history of your purchases and save your address/payment methods you can opt to open an account with your email and new password on the “My Account” page.

Shipping

Orders ship from our base in northern Mexico, the estimated shipping time is stated in the product options. A confirmation email will be sent to you with the tracking information once it’s available.

Delays and lost packages policy:
UPS shipments: In case of a lost package or a delivery date extending beyond a reasonable time period (transit time of 30 days or more) please fill out the appropriate contact form on the Contact page. We will initiate a claim with UPS for loss of goods and offer a reimbursement or re-ship of the order only if UPS accept such claim and refund Pira.mx with the total order value including shipping.
EMS/Mail shipments: Due to inconsistency in postal services worldwide, there will be a 90-day waiting period after the last tracking update on the (origin or destination country) Post Office website to claim a refund due to lost goods.
Note for customers in Canada and Australia: Package may not be traceable locally when choosing the Registered Mail shipping option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I still need a sous vide?

For color film yes, the heater in the PIRA – Darkroom Helper is designed only to maintain the working temperature, not to increase it from ambient. This would require a much more powerful and expensive heating solution adding complexity, size and cost. Whereas a sous vide and a water bath are already very efficient for this purpose at a reasonable price.

This device only rotates the reels, is it as good as doing inversions?

Yes, after extensive testing we’ve found that in all processes (black and white, E-6, C-41 and ECN-2) in 35mm and 120 medium format, the resulting negatives are properly developed with no defects. The reels spin at a very constant and moderate rate, adding just enough turbulence to swirl the chemicals around, but not so much to cause problems like bromide drag and surge marks.
For large format 4×5 film, we do recommend to use the continuous rotation method (with the tank set horizontally) as this ensures the most even flow across the surface of the larger negative sheet.

Can it do ECN-2 processing?

Yes, but you’ll need to use either film that has no remjet, or remove it yourself prior to the start of the cycle. It will involve mixing a remjet-removal formula and doing some vigorous agitations by hand, then flushing several times until the water comes out clear.

This step can be done with the magnet disc inside, just make sure to populate the tank with reels all the way to the top or use the included retaining ring, this will prevent the reels from shifting up the column if hand agitation is too strong.

Do I need to do anything differently like adding more chemicals or more time?

No, it’s not necessary. You can follow the recommended instructions just like if you were developing film manually.
So the same amount of chemicals per roll, same timings, temperature and frequency of agitations.

Does the magnetic disk interfere with the chemicals or the light-proof lid?

No, it’s made of PMMA plastic and will not react with the chemicals. The neodymium magnets are permanently bonded and the caps welded for waterproofing. The lid closes as normal and chemicals can be poured with no interference whatsoever.
The disc can be cleaned and reused as often as all the other components that go inside the tank.

How does technical support work, if something breaks can I get replacement parts?

Yes, any spare part can be purchased or requested in case it’s defective (and within the warranty period).
For more general questions or help, you can refer to the user manual or reach out in the Contact Us page.

Any special handling or cleaning instructions?

For the machine itself, do not spray or spill liquids. Although unlikely to cause a major fault, it’s still reason to void the warranty.
Clean the magnetic disc just by rinsing, do not scrub or use very hot water and/or a dishwasher.

What payment methods are accepted?

VISA and MasterCard credit/debit cards can be used directly without creating an account (guest checkout).
In some regions you may also use Apple Pay or Google Pay if you have already set up an account and are using a compatible web browser (Safari/Chrome).

If you’d like to use other payment methods like Amex cards or bank transfer you will need to reach out through the Contact Us page so that we can arrange it manually (send an invoice, payment details, etc)

Why release your product through your own website and not a crowdfunding site like Kickstarter?

Several reasons:
1. Commissions, a large percentage of each sale goes into the intermediary who is hosting the platform, lowest prices are only possible due to your direct purchase.
2. Disbursement timeframe, normally only when a campaign has finished the platform releases the funds. This is not a problem for projects which are still in development. But for products that are already finished (like this) it slows down the purchase and acquisition of materials/tools to begin manufacture.
3. Production, I much prefer to slowly increase production and roll out the first batch in a span of a couple of months, rather than trying to make a big production run from the start. This allows to identify and fix any potential issues that are sometimes only evident once the end customers start using a particular product.
4. Accounting reasons, by using my own website and sales channel I can easily integrate any income from direct sales into my books. Crowdfunding would’ve required additional accounting services, adding cost in the backend with no real benefit for you, the customer.

How do I know you’re legitimate?

I’m a licensed mechatronics engineer, my previous product still in production is the e.Dispenser, an “electronic syringe” for precision dispensing of adhesives, paints, pastes, etc.

Currently available here: edispenser.pira.mx
With previous customers’ reviews on Tindie.com

Feel free to read my customers’ opinions going back eight years, the e.Dispenser has sold in more than 50 countries with users ranging from hobbyists at home, to Universities and large multinational companies like Meta VR, SpaceX and Sennheiser for electronics board prototyping.
On a more personal note you can check my IG and reddit profile where I’m an active member in the Analog Community.
While there’s no guarantee everything will be 100% perfect, rest assured we’ll honor any request for a refund if delivery times extend beyond what is stated in the product page and make every possible effort to solve any issues that might come up with your product.

Where are you shipping from?

All the orders ship from northern Mexico, which is where we’re located. This explains the slightly higher shipping prices!
Although we do have a US-based mailing address, so in case of returns it’s cheaper/faster for you to send things back.