Bulk rolling

[MartinP]

Hmmm, I can't vote on this one since I haven't loaded bulk film for a few years. However, when I did, I used no bulk loader because luckily I had a room that could be completely blacked out - plus I realised that is was much cheaper to organise the blinds, hardboard, black tape etc than it was to pay for two bulk loaders....

If you do it that way I strongly recommend drilling a few holes in the workbench (not the best table ideally) and temporarily putting perforation-sized cocktail sticks in them, so you can keep the film under control whilst also cutting the length you want.

 

[Dougg]

I haven't loaded bulk in some years now, but like the Watson loader. I'd always load up the whole bulk roll in one session, then the loader stays empty and doesn't need to be marked for contents or refrigerated.

As to cassettes, I used a stash of the former Agfa and Ilford cans that are easily opened and reused. Of course there'll be an accumulation of grit, lint, and such, so I periodically clean them with a small hand vacuum cleaner. I still have a drawer full of these ready for the next bulk roll...

And... I've bulk loaded Ilford XP chromogenic, now taken to the lab, and upon request the lab returns the empty, just as they will return those hard-to-find 127 and 620 reels.

 

[Daniel Unkefer]

I have three Watson loaders. One I have had for a while, the other two I just got from ebay. I have been accumulating boxes of Kodak Snap-Caps, I used to use those, and they are reasonably priced. I used to pitch 'em after about five reloads, but you could do more than that.

Just bought ten rolls of Aristo (PanF) from Freestyle, so I need to get those new loaders cleaned up and into use. Also have fresh Neopan 400 and 1600 from Megaperls in Japan.

-Dan, also bulk-roll 70mm film, but that's another thread.

 

[jmcd]

I have two Alden 74 models, and roll some by hand, but the best by far for me is Bobinquick Jr., sold by Freestyle Sales, as the rolled film is good to the last frame—no pre-exposed film to intrude on your last frame. I keep a couple of Bobinquick Jr. loaders filled with my films of choice, and just roll up what I need before I go out shooting. Just rolling a couple at a time means the process is not tedious in the least, and I can customize roll lengths to the job at hand.

 

[Mark D.]

I have an Alden and a Watson. I think the lady at my local 1hr photo lab is getting tired of me coming in asking for empty film cartridges.

 

[Arjay]

I use neither of them, but a device that's not listed here, and that is highly recommended.

It has a frame counter, a film remaining indicator and a film feed window with a felt that moves out of the way as you start rolling the film (no telegraph wires). Plus, due to a better design, the unit wastes much less film when filling canisters (rectangular instead of teardrop shaped design).

I use two copies, both of which are rebranded versions of the European AP bulk film loader: One marketed by Jessops and another one sold under the ROWI name. The AP unit is still manufactured, and is currently available at several mail-order companies in Germany.

The only problem I have is finding Tri-X 400 and TMAX 3200 in bulk rolls....

 

[eli griggs]

Arjay, if you don't mind the shipping cost, go to Freestyle and order up some Arista Premium 400 in 100' bulk rolls, this is Tri-x under their house brand, $35US.

Eli

 

[feenej]

I use my cassettes until they get stepped-on or bent somehow. Many reloads.

 

[Arjay]

Thanks for the info Eli, I'll have to check that. At first sight, Freestyle doesn't specify S&H charges for international orders. Well, maybe at checkout - I'll have to try to see... That probaby only makes sense if I order at least a year's supply at a time.