Bulk reloading Nikon cassettes

[Phil_F_NM]

I've decided that the Nikon RF reloadable cassettes are pretty much the greatest and most graceful utilitarian invention to ever exist on the planet, save for maybe the 21mm Super Angulon f/3.4, the 1950's Mercedes-Benz 300SL "Gullwing" (ok, not so practical or utilitarian but this is my list,) and the OM617 diesel engine. I digress.

After reading the IXMOO thread, and thinking of daylight bulk loading, I'm wondering if there was ever a bulk loader made for Nikon cassettes? It would have to have the slot in the lock to open up the cassette. I could see trying it out with my old plastic 100ft Lloyd loader but I still wouldn't be able to turn the cassettes closed without a changing bag or a dark room. Maybe even a heavy coat but I don't like risking stuff like that.

So there's my question, did Nikon make a bulk reloader that worked with their cassettes? If they did, they must be made out of the rarest of all materials and are all but non-existent in the photographic world, correct?

Thanks!

Phil Forrest

 

[ChrisLivsey]

Watson and Aldren work, anecdotally from this thread:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=86912

and this one

The Watson 66B model acutally opened and closed the Nikon and Leica cassettes for perfect loading.

http://photo.net/nikon-camera-forum/00HDtW

Given the price of bulk loaders not a problem to pick one up that works, I have no info on the Lloyd as to compatability.

Best and Seasons Greetings

 

[Tom A]

I didn't even know that there was a bulkloader that would handle the Nikon cassette. Now if they then came out with a 400 ft version I would consider it - I think.
The "outstretched arms" and total darkness work well for me for the time though.
I like the Nikon cassettes - in many ways a better cassette than the IXMOO - but more fragile. The plate on the top ho;ding down the flat spring can work loose and the shells are very thin - easy to distort if you grab them too hard. Major benefit is that they work on the Nikon F too.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

So, a couple of the third party reloaders work but I'm wondering if Nikon ever produced a bulk loader of their own or maybe endorsed the product line of a third party as an applicable bulk loader for their rather specific cassette.

Thanks for the tip on the bulk loaders that DO work by the way. My Lloyd doesn't as there really isn't a locking mechanism and the inside of the cassette chamber is smooth with no moving parts.

Phil Forrest

 

[Ronald M]

Any bulk loader will leave some exposed film next to the spool allowing some fog possibly if you shoot to the end.

Bench winder and the proper Leitz tool to point the end of the film is way more fun. There is no way to do the proper point without it. Generics do not have the point. It has to be a real Leitz and you will pay dearly.

 

[ChrisLivsey]

http://www.destoutz.ch/acc_motor_bulk-film-loader2.html

These were made for the 250 exposure back cassettes MZ-1 and are obviously not daylight loaders.

So the answer is yes, but not the cassettes you mean 😀

For the S2 Nikon recommends a darkroom a la Tom 🙄

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=41383&d=1172087575

More modern instructions are the same:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/56239129@N03/5211644008/

Computrol bulk loader is also Nikon/Leica compatible, AFAIK it is a Watson copy.

 

[ChrisLivsey]

Major benefit is that they work on the Nikon F too.

But not the F2 😀😀

(they are AM-1 coded)

 

[Tom A]

Chris, that was one reason why I donated my F2's to various friends. I kept the F's - OK, I also like F's better - one of the perfect SLR camera designs if there ever was one. My F3's are nice, modern and a bit boring!
One thing I have decided that under no circumstances should a designer or manufacturer write the instruction manuals for their product. Over the years I have read a lot of these manuals, for Leica, Nikon etc - they are rather incomprehensible as a rule. I suspect trial and error works better.
At some time in my early life as a working stiff, I did a lot of color work and processing and bought a big box of King Concept 120 stainless steel developing spools. I read the instruction - as it was slightly different from the Kinderman reels I used. After valiant attempt to follow the instructions - it took me at least 40-50 rolls to "unlearn"!
The Nikon casettes also has a most bewildering variants of center spools - and I find it easier just to tape film onto them! I talked with Robert Rotoloni about Nikon Cassettes and he thinks that Nikon farmed out the manufacturing of the earlier ones (all brass, no crinkle finish) and each manufacturer did them his way!
Happy Holidays and a great 2013
Tom

 

[maddoc]

I load all my Nikon RF cassettes, FILCA, an IXMOO with my Watson 66B loader. Depending on the wear some of my Nikon cassettes are difficult to load in the loader and some make problems in my S2. So it is a little bit of try and error, Leica cassettes are trouble-free thoug.

 

[Livesteamer]

Years ago I used Nikon cassettes in my Watson loader. On the knob that closes the cassette, I put a piece of tape with an arrow on it to show which direction to turn it to close the cassette once loaded. It also helps to listen carefully for the little click the cassette makes when it closes. Back then I only had four Nikon cassettes but in recent years I have been buying more as I find them. A great way to go. Joe

 

[Rangefinderfreak]

I think that the guy who designs the modification to a bulk loader that allows IXMOO and Nikon cassettes daylight loading, would be my champion...

 

[ChrisLivsey]

I think that the guy who designs the modification to a bulk loader that allows IXMOO and Nikon cassettes daylight loading, would be my champion...

Whilst all (bold claim I cannot prove) new bulk loaders are not able to close the Nikon and Leica cassettes, which BTW does not stop you using them as you can bulk load in a changing bag/tent/darkroom and close them manually, many of the "vintage" ones do. You must have that facility to load the film into the loader in the first place.

The most commonly quoted is the Watson 66B. I have a Watson 100 and this does as well. A number of others which closely followed the Watson design ie ripped it off, do as well. The names of loaders run into dozens and they are inexpensive on the bay so you don't need a champion to modify a new one just buy one that was designed to do that from scratch (note pun). Or close in the dark.