Bulk loading questions

[Pfreddee]

I've been thinking for some time about bulk-loaders and 'rolling my own'. I've got some questions about the whole process. Here goes:

1.) Is this a difficult thing to do? By that I mean is it very tricky to get the film from the bulk loader into the cassette?

2.) Are there any bulk loaders which are to be avoided, as being finicky about technique, film, or something else?

3.) Are the reusable cassettes easy to work with, and are they really re-loadable? I've noticed (as I'm sure you have) that when you pry to lid off a regular garden-variety cassette that the lid becomes bent, just a little bit, and I don't know how this would work if it were reloaded.

4.) Are there any re-loadable cassette brands that are particularly good, or bad, and to be avoided? (Or is this one of those questions that are really unanswerable, unless whispered in one's ear?)

5.) I would assume that bulk film stored in a freezer in its can would last indefinitely?

Thanks to all who reply!

With best regards,

Pfreddee(Stephen)

 

[seifadiaz]

1. No.
2. I don't like the Watson model due to waste. I prefer using the AP model.
3. Reusable cassettes are good, easy to pry open. But replacing them every once in a while is necessary.
4. Hard to recommend any brands if you intend to use the disposable ones.
5. I store mine in the fridge, not freezer. I just stock what I can use before the expiration date.

 

[Livesteamer]

I used to bulk load a lot when I was in college. It is not hard to do and once you get used to it things go easily.

I would avoid the loaders that use a felt light trap as they can get dirt and dust in the felt.

I used to use Nikons reloadable cassettes in my F. When the back is closed, the cassette opens and nothing touches the film. If you are using Leica then the IXMOO cassette works well. Leica screw and Canon rangefinders had their own similar cassettes.

Have fun and Good Luck.

Joe

 

[Fraser]

I would start off with the plastic film spools, I don't use a bulk loader as the only film I load is movie film I don't think you need one.

 

[maddoc]

After having used plastic canister and faced the problems a) dust b) fogging problems with films having a clear base (polyester based films), I bought the Watson loader model 66B (as it has the "key" to open and close IXMOO, FILCA, and Nikon F/S cassettes) I now can load easily these three kinds of film canister and have no problems with fogging or dust anymore.

Only problem is that the modern Leicas don`t have the key in the base-plate to open the canister, so my M7 needs plastic reloadables.

 

[Livesteamer]

I know the baseplate on newer Leica's can be switched with an older one to allow opening of IXMOO's but could the fitting be added rather than the whole baseplate? I think there is a seller on e bay (Tonaya?) who has them. Joe

 

[maddoc]

I know the baseplate on newer Leica's can be switched with an older one to allow opening of IXMOO's but could the fitting be added rather than the whole baseplate? I think there is a seller on e bay (Tonaya?) who has them. Joe

Interesting, I tried to use the baseplate of my M4-2 with my M7 and it did not fit.

 

[Tom A]

The "flat lock" baseplate of the newer Leicas (M6 TTL's, MP and M7) lack the "cam" that moves the spring for the lock of the IXMOO cassette. If you put the old locking plate on a new baseplate - it would not really fit as the "stop" on the plate is at the base of the disc and the plate would spin freely. You would also have to manually open and close the cassette in the camera.
Some models just dont accept the IXMOO (MP) and can cause damage (M7's film reader).
The plastic cassette are fine - though they can jam occasionally. They are also prone to get stuck in the film-cavity of the camera. Slightly variable tolerances.
The common metal cassette works fine - but beware of wear on the end-caps. After multiple uses it can be deformed and easily pop off - particularly when removing it from the camera. The felt traps do collect a lot of dust too and you need to clean them regularly to avoid scratches. As a rule - I only use metal cassettes 5-6 times and then dump them.
The Kodak Snap-Cap cassette seems to be the best one made. The end caps are a bit deeper and thus more secure - though you might loose some finger-nails popping them open!

 

[jmcd]

I second the recommendation for the AP loader, also sometimes referred to as the Bobinquick Junior. With this loader your film rolls are good through the last frame. Freestyle Sales carries AP loaders.