Any Aussies looking to make a bulk film purchase soon?

[Johnmcd]

Now that I have a new M4 waiting to chew up loads of film, I find myself with only a few rolls of 35mm in the larder.

Before I make a B&H run, anyone planning a bulk purchase that I could add to? Thanks.

Cheers,

John

 

[ChrisN]

Hi John

I can always use another brick of HP5 (120 format). B&H is usually cheapest for that.

If anyone is doing a Freestyle order I'd jump on another couple of 100 foot rolls of Arista Premium 400 (TRI-X).

Who's turn is it? 🙂

 

[Johnmcd]

Hi Chris,

I had a quick comparison of Freestyle, B&H and Adorama and B&H seems the cheapest. I've still got plenty of 120 but was looking to buy 20 to 30 rolls of 35mm (Delta 100 and 400).

If no-one jumps in after a day or so, I'm happy to add your HP5 120 to my lot.

John

 

[Johnmcd]

Hey Chris what bulk loader do you use? With the new M4 I'm going to be taking lots more 35mm.

Any advice on what to buy?

Thanks - John

 

[ChrisN]

Hi John - did I miss your last post from 2 weeks ago?

On loading, I have a Bobinquick daylight loader, but since I collected about 10 IXMOO cartridges I hand-load them in the darkroom using an Leica AFLOO gadget:

The IXMOO are great - zero scratches. Most of the common loaders seem to work OK but I was convinced that I got scratches from several of the ones I tried. I kept the Bobinquick because it was the newest of the ones I had, and seemed to expose the shortest length of film during the loading process (less waste).

What film are you shooting? I've loaded and shot a lot of HP5 from bulk rolls, but I was especially pleased with the Arista Premium 400 (Kodak Tri-X 400) that I bought last year. I'm almost out of that.

 

[Johnmcd]

Hi Chris,

I started shooting FP4 and HP5 which I always used as a teenager but recently shot a couple of rolls each of Delta 100 and 400 that was given to me as expired and was very impressed.

I'm not happy with the thought of scratches though. Is it worth the risk? There's a cheap loader I might try and pick up on ebay. $3 a roll is enticing...

John

 

[ChrisN]

That Delta film is pretty enticing; those inky blacks...

Some people never have scratches. Read through the thread on Kodak XX or the bulk loading thread and you'll find lots of good advice there. Some folks recycle old cassettes from the film labs, taping the new film to the short end that is left on the roll; some prefer to buy reloadable cassettes. Many warn about cleaning the dust from the felt light-trap. I like to use the reloadable reels with an end cap that snaps on or screws on, so I can wind the film directly onto the spool (even by hand) then assemble the cassette, thus avoiding an extra trip for the film through the light-trap felt. Tom A has described loading IXMOO by hand, and measures a suitable length of film simply by stretching his arms apart to the right distance! It's actually pretty easy once you're set up in a dark room; more difficult in a changing bag, although HCB did it that way.

 

[Johnmcd]

Thanks for the info Chris. I think I'll give it a try. If I make a B&H order are you interested in adding anything?

John

 

[ChrisN]

Yep, if you can include it, please put me down for 10 rolls of 120 HP5.

lford HP5 Plus 120 Black & White Negative (Print) Film (ISO-400) Price: $3.89ea
B&H # ILHP5P120 Mfr# 1629017.

PM me with your account details for payment when your ready.

Cheers!

 

[Johnmcd]

Ok, no problems. I'll probably make an order sometime this week. Just need to see if I pick up the bulk loader I'm bidding on first.

Cheers - John

 

[maddoc]

I load IXMOOs and FILCAs with a WATSON 66B daylight loader that has the "locking key" to close the can after spooling the film. The Watson also works with Nikon reloadable cans.