Bulk Loading Film

[Doug]

The GSN bit me on this and I knew what was up right away. Once I started cranking, I couldn't release the latch until I finished the stroke. To finish the stroke ripped the film off the spool - I'm not sure any amount of tape would really help this.

This is the case with any camera that doesn't have a ratcheting film advance. Like my Minolta CLE. The solution is to simply press the rewind button, and while doing so, complete the wind stroke. Now, with the wind lever neatly parked, you can choose to rewind the film at any time. 🙂

 

[doubs43]

I use 1" masking tape. It's cut to a length that permits one wrap around the spool core with approximately 1.25 - 1.5" of "tongue". The end of the film is placed against the spool at the point where the tape would begin overlapping and the "tongue" of the tape is secured to the film. I can't recall ever having the film pull loose and I believe it's secure enough that the sprocket holes would tear before the tape does.

During the transfer of the film to the reel for developing, it's easy to peel the tape and spool from the end of the film.

Walker

 

[denishr]

Just wanted to add my recent experience re bulk loaders.
I've been using a Kaiser brand for years (German-made),a nd it's the same stuff they sell under different brands - Adorama has the same one:

http://www.adorama.com/BLAA.html?sid=112860323467783

It works like a charm, there is absolutely no film waste (no blank frames at the end of the roll!), and has counters both for the casette and the remaining fillm on the bulk roll.

I need some more loaders (got a lot of film recently), and managed to get a Watson loader (model 100, I think).

What a piece of cr*p!!!

Pain to load and use, plastic parts keep falling apart, flimsy, counter working only intermittently, etc., etc...

The worst part of it is that the design of Watson loaders makes it absolutely impossible to avoid wasting AT LEAST 3-4 final frames on the loaded casette - if you use the Watson loader to load film in daylight. (Well, if you're going to use it with lights off, it kinda beats the purpose, doesn't it?)

Everyone everywhere on the forums seems to mention Watson loaders as being reliable, etc.... - but my experience is totally the opposite - mainly due to the film waste as mentioned above. I mean, the design of that thing is a total disaster 🙁

My recommendation for everyone getting into bulk loading is to get the type as seen in the above Adorama link - they are being sold under different brands (Jessops and Bobinquick in the UK, also sold as "AP loader" in the US....) - the important thing is to see how it looks like, and search for that type (square, boxy, two counters, - see the Adorama site).

Both types are also shown here:
http://www.camerastore.com/dl_cat_A/-A04_bulkfilm.html

You won't regret it - if you've used Watson previously, this one is going to be a revelation!

BTW, it doesn't have any "felt traps" (AFAIK), so there's no danger of scratching film - at least I never noticed any scratches on my rolls (attributable to the loader, that is - I did have some scratches until I stopped sgueegeing wet film before hanging to dry!).

Denis

 

[taffer]

Denis, I have that same loader (labeled Jessops), got it from a gentleman on eBay UK, with 100 ft of HP5+ inside and a free long roll of 100ft color print film, all that and shipment for 10 euros, not bad 😀

And I agree, it's really really easy to use, but at least my unit has (I think) a felt trap 🙂

 

[foon]

Does everyone buy the cassettes?
I am too cheap for that, I usually go to wal mart (or any photo lab), and ask for the ones they are throwing away
I reload them and throw them away after using them once, nothing to worry about

 

[je2a3]

I have an AP loader, it's easy to use and does not waste film but it's so hard to spool in the leader when loading a fresh bulk. Any tips aside from what's in the manual [trimming the tip into an arrow shape]? Personally I prefer the Lloyd's even if I have to count the turns and it does have a felt trap. I also have a Western which looks like an older version of the Watson and never had problems with the counter but it does waste a few frames.

 

[denishr]

I have an AP loader, it's easy to use and does not waste film but it's so hard to spool in the leader when loading a fresh bulk. Any tips aside from what's in the manual [trimming the tip into an arrow shape]?

Once you trim the end of film, just put the roll in the compartment and slide/push the end along the rim of the compartment until you hit the slit - then you can use the small axle on the side - turn it - once it catches the perforation, the film will go through quite easily by simply turning the axle.

Regards,

Denis

 

[Stanton]

foon -- My experience is the same as yours. I find once used cassettes from my local Longs to be very satisfactory and there is essentially an infinite free supply.