Bessa T and plastic cartidges

[Diggin99]

Quick question,

I just got my Bessa T and tried both a metal and plastic bulk loaded cartridge in it. Well, the T did not like the plastic! It made such a noise, slowed down when advancing the film and generally complained a lot. So now I am planning on switching to metal cartidges, I only own like two right now. Anyone else have this problem?

Nancy

 

[mike goldberg]

Aha, another Bessa T fan. When I bulk loaded B/W film, I ALWAYS used metal cartridges. The T's a quality instrument; give it what it deserves. Here's a TIP: When I was a working PJ and bulk loaded a lot of B/W, I only left out about 1 to 1-1/2 inches of film leader. Why? So I could pull out another inch or so, and FEEL that the film stock was moving freely and smoothly, between the felt lips of the cartridge. Further, in my Nikon SLR's, if I sensed that the film was dragging during film advance, I rewound it and changed the roll.

How's this for a metaphor? Consider your film cartridges like the tires of your car. Ok-ok... it is a bit korny. Ciao, mike ;-)

 

[pvdhaar]

I have the impression that the percentage of T-users (including myself) that ran across broken shutter/advance mechanisms is remarkably high. Therefor my advice is to only use film and cartridges that move easily, and avoid undue stress on sprocket wheels/spindles..

 

[Ronald M]

I can`t get them to go past 12 exp in Leica M, R, or screwmount. Multiple samples of each camera type and plastic carts.

Tossed `em all. Kalt work fine. $60 for 100 at Calumet. They come clean in a box unlike the dirty ones in the stores gathering dust for 5 years.

 

[Trius]

I also agree not to use plastic cartridges, but also for another reason. The ones I've used, at least, don't have secure end pieces. IOW, the top doesn't lock on or screw on securely enough to avoid possible disaster.

The old Ilford carts (HP4 days) were the best. Sturdy, reuseable.

 

[fidget]

I found that the plastic cartridges I have caused the same in all the bottom loading FSU cams I have, and a couple of the others. Before I tried it on my Bessa R, I learned that grafting the bulk load film onto the tongue of film sticking out of a proper cassette, then wound back up, was slick! No more worries, just have to buy new film now and then, or scrounge some used (with tongue) cassettes.