Do you bulk load your own film?

Do you bulk load your own film?

  • Yes I do

    Votes: 277 68.4%

  • No I can't be bothered

    Votes: 128 31.6%
  • Total voters
    405
When I got my developing tanks (used) the seller threw in her old bulk loader (Llyod's, loading door held on with duct tape, but still light tight!) and an unopened 400' can of Plus-X. So I've got 60ish rolls of free film (I've developed a test strip, and it seems good). Yup, bulk loading for me.
 
I just bought a Lloyd loader and 100ft of Kentmere 400 from freestyle.

For me it's not about making economic sense, it's about the freedom to load 10-roll cans so I can switch out film more readily, and so forth.

Really looking forward to it. If I like the process, I might pick up another Lloyds and get some bulk Portra-160 from ultrafine.
 
As an update to my previous post, I've since bought the AP/Arista Bobinquick bulk loader. The 20 cassettes included in the box are the same plastic design as Kalt cassettes but with (imo) better felt. The loader works like a charm. Dont lose the crank. It unlocks the light trap or something when inserted. A pencil wont work.
For those who respool 500' rolls to use with the loader, the chamber is about 95mm diameter so a 80-90mm diameter spool should fit nicely. The spindle is about 7mm diameter if you're making a DIY core or rolling the film without a core. FWIW a 80mm wide roll of PolypanF should have way more than 100' because the film is thin.
The loader is compact (11x13x8cm). The only downside I see is the price if one wants to buy four to keep various film types handy.
 
Mablo said:
Hmmm.. those Freestyle price for 100ft cans are lucrative indeed. Unfortunately postage charges and VAT will appr. double the price sent to this side of the pond.
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mablo: hehe, both Double-X and RPX-400 and RPX -100 available "from my fridge" RPX 100ft is € 40,- Double X a little higher (negotiable...) no extra. maybe a cup of cofee...
 
The only things that bother me about bulk loading are the wasted/exposed section of film at the end of the roll and how that wipes out the last one or two exposures at the end of each roll. This is due to the design of my bulk roller.
 
Just finished loading 70+ Nikon Rf cassettes - which also works in Nikon F's ( this was TriX - 4x100 ft) and have started the somewhat sisifysian project of loading 1200 ft of XX in Leica IXMOO cassettes. In the end I will have 212 IXMOO's loaded - this should keep me going during the gloomy part of the North West fall and winter.
 
FrankS said:
The only things that bother me about bulk loading are the wasted/exposed section of film at the end of the roll and how that wipes out the last one or two exposures at the end of each roll. This is due to the design of my bulk roller.
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Me too Frank.
I`m not convinced that it is cost effective , as often claimed.
There may be other reasons to bulk load such as convenience or the ability to use unusual emulsions of course.

For mainstream film such as TriX or HP5 its cheaper to buy bricks.
 
I actually got a bulk loader as well as some other stuff from the guy who gave his enlarger to me (Durst M800 with an almost totally separated Rodenstock 105mm). I've been thinking about bulk loading, but I can't really see the savings justifying the time I'd have to put into it. I'll keep it on hand in case any friends want to try 18 rolls of tri-x for the cost of 16 (imported), but I think we're pretty alright with paying 6-7 bucks more for convenience of 18 pre-loaded canisters.

Maybe the cost savings are significantly cheaper in the states or Europe though, but for us we'd have to buy bulk rolls in bulk to see any real savings
 
Michael Markey said:
Me too Frank.
I`m not convinced that it is cost effective , as often claimed.
There may be other reasons to bulk load such as convenience or the ability to use unusual emulsions of course.

For mainstream film such as TriX or HP5 its cheaper to buy bricks.
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I've only lose half a frame at the end, just be careful when putting the casette in the loader. Unfortunately Freestyle is too expensive to freight to Australia and Asia. Bulk loading is a 50% cost savings for me.
 
A quick scan of UK prices reveals that TriX is £4.38 ($6.99) for a single roll and £110.06 ($175.68) for a 30.5 m can.

HP5 is £5.70($9.01) a roll and £57.20($91.31) for a 30 m roll.

I loose 8 inches of film to the leader every time that I load with my Computrol loader.

Haven`t time right now to do the maths but the savings just don`t seem to be there.
At least at UK prices.
 
Michael Markey said:
A quick scan of UK prices reveals that TriX is £4.38 ($6.99) for a single roll and £110.06 ($175.68) for a 30.5 m can.

HP5 is £5.70($9.01) a roll and £57.20($91.31) for a 30 m roll.

I loose 8 inches of film to the leader every time that I load with my Computrol loader.

Haven`t time right now to do the maths but the savings just don`t seem to be there.
At least at UK prices.
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Hello Michael,

You can get HP5+ cheaper than that here: AG Photographic

With postage (£5) a 10-pack costs £4.49 per roll.

Best regards,
RoyM
 
Michael Markey said:
A quick scan of UK prices reveals that TriX is £4.38 ($6.99) for a single roll and £110.06 ($175.68) for a 30.5 m can.

HP5 is £5.70($9.01) a roll and £57.20($91.31) for a 30 m roll.

I loose 8 inches of film to the leader every time that I load with my Computrol loader.

Haven`t time right now to do the maths but the savings just don`t seem to be there.
At least at UK prices.
Click to expand...

I see the same here in Germany for Ilford and Kodak, but not for Rollei, Foma or Kentmere. I even scored a 100ft. roll of Retro80S on sale for €29.99 at macodirect. The ususal price for a 100ft. roll is €40 there. They ship to the UK too AFAIK
 
wakarimasen said:
Hello Michael,

You can get HP5+ cheaper than that here: AG Photographic

With postage (£5) a 10-pack costs £4.49 per roll.

Best regards,
RoyM
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Hi Roy

Thanks ...I must admit that I stopped using AG after I had to cancel orders because of apparent non availability.

They are bookmarked though .... so I`ll give them another try in future.

Best
Michael
 
Michael Markey said:
Hi Roy

Thanks ...I must admit that I stopped using AG after I had to cancel orders because of apparent non availability.

They are bookmarked though .... so I`ll give them another try in future.

Best
Michael
Click to expand...

Hello Michael,

Best to give them a call - I was there on Thursday and it's a real Aladdins' cave. Lots of film, but no Tri-X bricks or HP5 bulk rolls. Unfortunately I went for one of these, and ended up leaving with 20 rolls (HP5 and Delta 400).

Best regards,
RoyM
 
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