steverett
Anthopomorphized Camera
Eh? Why would a camera not be able to use bulk loaded film?
Best brand of bulk loader?
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Eh? Why would a camera not be able to use bulk loaded film?
zuiko85
Veteran
Back in the day, early 70's, we just loaded a whole 100 ft. in one go. At that time never used a bulk loader, just loaded in the darkroom and snipped off the film cartridge by cartridge.
kiemchacsu
Well-known
Revival this thread, just to know what kind of loader you are using now.
I have used several Lloyd loaders and so far all good. I just order a Watson and will see how it performs compared to Lloyd.
Some said that Lloyd wastes less film than Watson (Alden 74). I have 18 rolls 37-38 exp and one 20ish.
For Watson, how many 36exp rolls can we get out of 100ft roll?
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B-9
Devin Bro
I use a slew of Watson loaders, No issues.
The leader/trail issue stated above is at best negligible.
I also have a Lloyd and find it a PIA compared.
My experience has been that 100’ spool vary in true length and therefore vary in rolls produced. I average 22-24 rolls of 24exp (with compensation for lead/trail).
Some spools are 100’ some are 98.5’ some are even 95’ (old stock)
I love my Watsons. I recently purchased 2 NIB to replace a pair I’ve had for years. I have a total of 5 loaders. I load 3 at a time. Roll around 100 cassettes a day about 3 days a week.
I have also made a set of base plates for my Watsons. If you look on the bottom you will notice a pair of tapered legs that look as if they could slide into some unknown accessory. With the bases I can load on a table top without bumping my hand into it as well as being heavy enough to stay put while I’m fiddling with the next cassette.
If you're a weekend warrior you can’t go wrong with either loader! You might find the Watson/Alden more affordable. I would NOT buy a used one. If you can find either new in box that’s your best option. Why not used? One drop and these things become confetti on your floor. My oldest loader has been dropped a few times and has a few hairline cracks barely noticeable by eye, in a dark room with a bright light, it’s a regular disco inside.
My 2 cents!
The leader/trail issue stated above is at best negligible.
I also have a Lloyd and find it a PIA compared.
My experience has been that 100’ spool vary in true length and therefore vary in rolls produced. I average 22-24 rolls of 24exp (with compensation for lead/trail).
Some spools are 100’ some are 98.5’ some are even 95’ (old stock)
I love my Watsons. I recently purchased 2 NIB to replace a pair I’ve had for years. I have a total of 5 loaders. I load 3 at a time. Roll around 100 cassettes a day about 3 days a week.
I have also made a set of base plates for my Watsons. If you look on the bottom you will notice a pair of tapered legs that look as if they could slide into some unknown accessory. With the bases I can load on a table top without bumping my hand into it as well as being heavy enough to stay put while I’m fiddling with the next cassette.
If you're a weekend warrior you can’t go wrong with either loader! You might find the Watson/Alden more affordable. I would NOT buy a used one. If you can find either new in box that’s your best option. Why not used? One drop and these things become confetti on your floor. My oldest loader has been dropped a few times and has a few hairline cracks barely noticeable by eye, in a dark room with a bright light, it’s a regular disco inside.
My 2 cents!
Larry Cloetta
Veteran
I’ve re-read this 4 times just to make sure I wasn’t hallucinating. You’re going through 7,200 frames....a week?
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I’m such a piker. I’ve got some catching up to do. What’s your percentage of “keepers”? Even if only ten percent that’s 720 keepers a week. Saints preserve us.
B-9
Devin Bro
Lol, I personally shoot maybe a roll or two a week. Fewer keepers than I would admit 😉
I should have included that I sell film. Hence the volume and need for multiple loaders.
Recently was sent a bunch of films for my personal use (RFF trade) so virtually none of the film I roll is shot by me. I peel out a 5-10ex roll per spool for QC. Never any keepers in those as it’s typically a few control shots of my weekly manifest.
This year I hope to roll and sell over 30,000’ of film. Talk about resolutions!
(Edit: so that’s roughly 6,600 rolls of 24ex or 18 rolls a day) Setting the bar high for myself.
I should have included that I sell film. Hence the volume and need for multiple loaders.
Recently was sent a bunch of films for my personal use (RFF trade) so virtually none of the film I roll is shot by me. I peel out a 5-10ex roll per spool for QC. Never any keepers in those as it’s typically a few control shots of my weekly manifest.
This year I hope to roll and sell over 30,000’ of film. Talk about resolutions!
(Edit: so that’s roughly 6,600 rolls of 24ex or 18 rolls a day) Setting the bar high for myself.
BLKRCAT
75% Film
I'm using a Kaiser Bulk loader and a Lloyd's and the Kaiser is by far the better of the two. I frequently end up rolling backwards rolls with the Lloyds. I will admit though that of the two I've used the Lloyds the least.
Pentode
Well-known
I currently have a Lloyd’s and a Watson 66 and recently gave away an Alden 74. I don’t really have a strong preference either way and I average around 18-20 36ex rolls per 100’ spool regardless of which loader I’m using. I kind of like the frame counter on The Watson/Alden but it’s not a deal-breaker by any means. Counting turns on the Lloyd’s isn’t exactly a hardship.
Corran
Well-known
Prefer the Lloyd's here.
I have one as well as 3 Alden's...just what I've picked up cheaply. I put the good film in the Lloyd's...
I have one as well as 3 Alden's...just what I've picked up cheaply. I put the good film in the Lloyd's...
martinjames
Established
No one has mentioned using these loaders specifically with Leica brass film cassettes (FILCA or IXMOO) so I thought I'd just add, for the benefit of anyone considering their use in daylight loaders. Or at least the Alden unit, anyway.
I have two Alden 74 loaders (very similar to the Watson 66). One of the reasons I chose them was their claimed ability to open and close the Leica cassettes, which I use most of the time. This is done with a small knob that has "teeth" on the inside to grab the relevant part of the cassette. However, this knob is a 2-part, cheap plastic item that is not really up to the task. The 2 pieces are soon just spinning around (relative to each other) and not providing the necessary grip to rotate the cassette mechanism. Both of my loaders suffer from the exact same condition. When I use the loader, after spooling the film into the cassette I have to turn out the lights (in a darkroom of course) before opening the bottom cover, extract the cassette, close its chamber outside of the loader, etc. Not the most convenient process, obviously.
I recently acquired one of the Leica AFLOO film winders and built a platform to use it with rolls of bulk film in the darkroom. So I use that more often now but still use the Aldens from time to time.
I have two Alden 74 loaders (very similar to the Watson 66). One of the reasons I chose them was their claimed ability to open and close the Leica cassettes, which I use most of the time. This is done with a small knob that has "teeth" on the inside to grab the relevant part of the cassette. However, this knob is a 2-part, cheap plastic item that is not really up to the task. The 2 pieces are soon just spinning around (relative to each other) and not providing the necessary grip to rotate the cassette mechanism. Both of my loaders suffer from the exact same condition. When I use the loader, after spooling the film into the cassette I have to turn out the lights (in a darkroom of course) before opening the bottom cover, extract the cassette, close its chamber outside of the loader, etc. Not the most convenient process, obviously.
I recently acquired one of the Leica AFLOO film winders and built a platform to use it with rolls of bulk film in the darkroom. So I use that more often now but still use the Aldens from time to time.
traveler_101
American abroad
I've been thinking of getting into bulk loading, but I would want to limit my initial outlay. Buying a new loader is over $50 at B&H and they don't seem to have Watson - just this Legacy Pro Lloyd loader - https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1313619-REG/legacy_pro_63000_lloyd_35mm_bulk_film.html
Also is there anyway of avoiding buying cassettes? Can't you recycle canisters - as shown here? https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1313619-REG/legacy_pro_63000_lloyd_35mm_bulk_film.html
Thanks
B-9
Devin Bro
You can still find them occasionally on eBay NIB. When I see them I buy them... (sorry for the competition guys!)
PM me if you really want a tested Watson.
I sell my film in recycled canisters. The type wasted at every mini lab and what your new film comes spooled on. I’ve found they are good for atleast one or two reloads. The problem comes with the leftover tape from the first reload. The felt is surely good for multiple reloads... anyone who says otherwise is blowing smoke. In fact Fujifilm recycles their canisters from preferred labs. They don’t even match ISO just add a sticker. (A PIA for me as I have to either toss it or peel the sticker)
I’ve used Kalt brand reloadable with good results.
I buy my cassettes by the pallet and sort the duds myself.
PM me if you really want a tested Watson.
I sell my film in recycled canisters. The type wasted at every mini lab and what your new film comes spooled on. I’ve found they are good for atleast one or two reloads. The problem comes with the leftover tape from the first reload. The felt is surely good for multiple reloads... anyone who says otherwise is blowing smoke. In fact Fujifilm recycles their canisters from preferred labs. They don’t even match ISO just add a sticker. (A PIA for me as I have to either toss it or peel the sticker)
I’ve used Kalt brand reloadable with good results.
I buy my cassettes by the pallet and sort the duds myself.
kiemchacsu
Well-known
Well, very much interesting information.
Just come up with this bad boy, nobody has mentioned it. Would you take it?
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/183625973491
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Just come up with this bad boy, nobody has mentioned it. Would you take it?
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/183625973491
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MrFujicaman
Well-known
colker
Well-known
Western model 100
semi-ambivalent
Little to say
I use neither loader because I can't fit 400' of Dbl-X in either one. So I just lay the core on its side on the 6' counter in my darkroom and unspool a length marked by two pieces of tape. Scary at first because I imagined pushing the core onto the floor and knocking 300' of film off sideways, but now it's calm and safe. Nice on the discount too! I thought of using my son to get one but I had ethical issues about doing so. You might enjoy the thread below. I shoot almost nothing but Double-X, at first in D-96 but post #3 got me hooked on Adox MQ. Rodinal 1:50 also works well for the right subjects and lighting.
https://rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52426&highlight=D-96
Bill Clark
Veteran
I’ve used Lloyd for over 50 years!
dourbalistar
Buy more film
newsgrunt
Well-known
If I need to use bulk film, I use Watsons. I tape the spindle to the small tail end (maybe an inch), then in the dark, open the gate and pull enough film to put cassette into slot Then close the door and roll away. Leaders don't matter since two or three frames are wasted loading anyways. Also haven't been able to use Ixmoos with any loaders so I roll onto spindles, the put into brass housing, in the dark. kinda annoying but not a major burden.
kiemchacsu
Well-known
Thanks for the tip. It would reduce the film waste in Watson loader, 1 frame/ roll I guess.
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