Bulk FIlm Loaders

[wakarimasen]

Hello Folks,

I am interested in getting a bulk film loader to keep costs down and provide the means of making a quick (and short) test roll. Do many people use these loaders and if so, can you help me with the following questions?

• which models should I look out for - Watson etc?
• are 'special' re-usable film cassettes required - or better - than re-using spent cartridges?
• is the probability of scratching film and exposing it to light so great, that it's easier to buy film in bulk?

Thanks for your help!

Best regards,
RoyM

 

[hans voralberg]

Search around, this topic has been discussed to death lol. For your convenience I'd recommend a day light loader Watson-type,.

I find Leica IXMOO much easier to load and more secure than spent cassettes. Obviously it can only be used with Leica, find generic metal ones on the bay for other cameras.

If you do it carefully you will never scratch or expose it, I scratch one in like ~50 rolls and it's not that bad so it's safe.

 

[Mauro]

I bought a film loader few months ago from an Italian retailer who trades on the web: it is an Italian made model and it can be used in daylight. As suggested by other RFF friends, I use spent cartridges that I get from "1 hour photo develop labs": they are happy bercause I help them to reduce their waste! No problems at all, till now.
I am loading a Agfapan 400 ASA and a Polypan F 50 ASA.
I am sure you will enjoy the bulk film loading.
Ciao

 

[NathanJD]

Saving money and making test rolls don't go together well with daylight loaders because you need to account for roughly 5-6 unusable frames for the leader and the end piece (you can’t keep winding on till you hit the end with self rolled film because there’s about 1 ½ to 2 inches of exposed film at the end due to the loading process) for each cassette when you load up a roll whether that roll has 40 usable frames or 4 so economy isn't at the top of the list when it comes to making short rolls. On the plus side if you do roll your cassettes nice and full then there's plenty of money to be saved!

Bulk loaders are easy to use and they are designed to be pretty much fool proof (not completely though) but if you can follow the very basic instructions a few times you'll find yourself rolling like a pro before you know it!

as an amateur I love my bulk loader - it's another fun part of the process that I get to do for myself, making my photography feel that much more personal 🙂