Bulk film loader suggestions.

[adamli629]

Hi everyone,

I am planning loading bulk film by myself. And I have some questions on bulk film loader. I found there are different types film loader on market, I see Legacy Pro Lloyd, Watson 100, Alden 74, Prinz 66, and Arista Bobinquick Junior. But I am not familiar with those brands.

If your guys had any experience on those brand film loader, could you share it for me and tell he which one is the best on market easy for use and won't scratch the film during loading.

And also could you help me recommend which reloadable cartridges is better? The plastic one or the metal one?

Thanks,

Adam

 

[Keith]

I find the Watson very easy to use ... there's a knock off made in Israel called 'Computrol' that works just as well.

For catridges ... I use ones that I get from the local one hour for free. I just tape the new film to the piece of the leader that's left sticking out of the canister. I use them once then toss them as they are readily available in any quantity I want.

 

[jmcd]

I've use the Alden and the AP Bobinquick Jr. Both work fine, but the Bobinquick is a gem, and loads in such a way that your film is good all the way to the end of the roll. With the Alden, you have to load in the dark, or stop short of the end of the roll, which gets exposed during daylight loading.

I prefer metal cartridges.

 

[pachuco]

I use Legacy Pro Lloyd's and it works pretty well I think. I also ordered some metal cartridges that are kinda tricky to put together and I'm always worried they are going to fall apart. Perhaps I'll try plastic ones or Keith's method.

 

[Keith]

I've been using the same Lloyd's loader since 1972, I've added two more since but the first is still going strong. I spooled 100' of Tri-X on Tuesday. I've been given a couple of Watson loaders from friends who quit bulk loading. I figure when the Lloyd's loaders break I'll use the Watsons, if I live long enough. I've got one sitting in front of me with a fresh roll of Pan F+ ready for spooling. No offense to anyone else but I kinda like seeing "Made in the U.S.A."

That must make it tricky when choosing camera and lens combinations! 😀

 

[MichaelW]

I use the Hansa brand, have 4 of them. I've also seen exactly the same loader sold with the Konica brand. They look the same as the AP models. Very pleased with these; no problems.

 

[Mablo]

I prefer square shaped loaders for no particular reason. I also prefer plastic cartridges. They seem to last longer and I've never had a light leak with a plastic cartridge.

 

[rxmd]

[...]

Wow, JSU. 4,294,967,077 posts? You've been posting a lot lately. 😀

 

[nikon_sam]

Watson Loader...Kalt Brand reusable metal cans...this has worked for me for years...

 

[maddoc]

A&P re-loadable plastic film canister (can be used 20 to 30 times then the light trap gets loose or to dirty) or LEITZ FILCA canister (for my IIIb and IIIf). Absolute no light leak problem with the old Leitz canister and they can be loaded with a Watson 66B loader that has the "key mechanism" to open the canister.

 

[filmtwit]

I have three loaders now -

1) Western Model 100: I've had for the last 10 years and I think it's maybe scartched one canister worth of film in all that time. I'm not fond of the counter on it though as it's not always that accurate and you can see/hear it skip from time to time.

2) Watson Model 66: This is an older model but the unit is new to me. It's very similar to the Western, but the components looks nicer and it's easier to read. I've only run one 100' roll threw it at this point, no problems but I don't like that the winding handle is fully attached.

3) ALden Model 72: 200' model, I picked this up more then 10+ years ago to handle motion picture film. The thing is huge, but works well. Currently has a 200' roll of Double X in it.

I used to like metal, but found they can rust pretty easir and now prefer to use plastic.

 

[john neal]

I prefer the Watson - have 2 Legacy Pro ones, and find that the locking ring on the cassette door is easily broken.

OK, I'm ham-fisted 😉

 

[adamli629]

Thanks guys. Finally I got a Watson 100. Hope it will work well for me.

 

[tedwhite]

I've used the Watson 100 since 1968. Works as good as when I bought it.