Empty 35mm film canisters?

[Jfrago]

Tom, I am a big fan and I wanted to ask where would I find empty 35mm canisters because I want load my own with Double XX?

Thank you.

 

[ChrisLivsey]

I think for the best answer Tom will need to know more. What camera/s? Leica and Nikon (early) have their own brand cassettes for example. Where in the world? For local post.

Search here on this site for IXMOO Leica and Nikon cassette

Some sources UK/USA:

http://www.firstcall-photographic.c...-reloadable-cassettes-metal-non-dx-pack-of-10
http://www.firstcall-photographic.c...tcall-reloadable-cassettes-plastic-pack-of-10
They also do sticky DX labels if your camera can use them.

http://www.freestylephoto.biz/183125-Arista-35mm-Metal-Reloadable-Cartridge-25-pack
http://www.ultrafineonline.com/bufilosu.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/86473-REG/Kalt_NP11137_1_35mm_Cassette_For_Bulk.html

You can source from mini labs. But the dust and scratch risk is, for me, too high, (I usually provide my own dust and scratches) but they are usually free.

 

[itf]

Unless you have a camera that requires specific cassettes, I recommend going to the local lab and asking for the waste cassettes from processed rolls. They'll still be intact and have a short bit of the last roll hanging out. Just tape your film on and then wind with your bulk loader as usual. You'll put another three uses on the felt (load, expose, rewind) then you can pop em open and discard them. To make reloadable cassettes economical, you'll have to use them more than that and increase your chances of grit and scratches etc.

 

[jwicaksana]

I bought a 5-pack from Freestyle and found them to be very low in quality. Never used them, they are just sitting on my desk. I respool old canisters that I used.

 

[Tom A]

I do keep a supply of old re-laodable cassettes - made in Yoguslavia I think. They are OK, but you have to clean the felt trap (sticky tape) and after about 4-5 uses they are usually done for. Mostly I use IXMOO cassettes for Leica M's (M2/M3/M4 etc - does not work on the MP/M7). They are heavy though and a bit of a challenge to load. The Nikon Rf cassette (also works on Nikon F) is easier - but they are getting scarce and quiet expensive.
As for the mini-lab supplied cassettes - they do work and if you are careful and clean the felt rap before using them - not too much dust and scratches. Use a good tape though and align the film to be loaded with the piece sticking out of the cassette - it can otherwise twist and jam against the felt.

 

[mwoenv]

I've been using metal snap-cap cassettes from Photo Warehouse (ultrafineonline.com) with no problems after loading each one 2-3 times so far. I thought they appeared flimsy but none have opened and none have had light leaks. I tried to get cassettes from the local CVS that still processes film but they said someone pays for them and recycles them.

 

[semi-ambivalent]

I bought a 5-pack from Freestyle and found them to be very low in quality. Never used them, they are just sitting on my desk. I respool old canisters that I used.

I have purchased two types of cassettes from Freestyle; metal with a snap-on end cap, and plastic with a twist-on end cap. The spindles in the metal cassettes have a waist in the middle that lessens the contact area of the tape holding the film. A few weeks ago at Canyon de Chelley in Arizona I advanced some 5222 right off the spool. That night I sat under a very hot tent of blankets in the hotel room and stripped the film off the take-up spool and into a black film can I luckily had with me. (If only this had happened with the M3 instead.) I've had no such problem with the plastic cassettes, their spindles having no waist. They seem to leak a bit, but only at the end (start) of the film and just in the sprocket holes, never into the frame itself. They've (5) have been used about six times. I use blue painter's masking tape to hold the film.

s-a

 

[MISH]

Tom .... you mention the Nikon cassette..... how about the Contax cassette? I just happen to have a few of those kicking around someplace.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I started with using of single use cassettes after they were emptied by photo lab in local Walmart. Crap. It just pain in the butt to recap them after respool.

This is old single use film cassette and it is still in use. Much better quality.
The problem is cap. Once it is off it is not flat enough.

Another ten reloadeble was purchased on e-bay for low cost.

Old stock made by Kodak. I have to clean inner side with vinegar, something white was inside.

Eleven cassettes in total. Using ten. Went through 30m of TMAX 100 and 400, 3x30 Kentmere 400, 90m of Polypan F, 30m of Fomapan 400.
270m in total, about 200 loads, 20 per one cassette so far.
No problems.

 

[Jfrago]

Thanks for the many options.

Thanks for the many options.

Being a newbie at this I can't tell you all how grateful I am for all the suggestions. You guys are great.

Cheers.

 

[Bill Clark]

I have been using the metal cassettes from Freestyle.

They work just fine.

 

[john neal]

I'm still using some FP4 and XP1 ones (!) but will have to replace them soon - tried the cheapo o nes off fleabay but they distort easily. Might try the Firstcall ones next - anyone got direct experience of those?

 

[Tom A]

I don't mind the metal cassettes - you have to be sure to get the cap on properly though. The plastic ones with the "twist" caps I don't like. For some reason they are slightly bigger and jam in some cameras - and the felt trap can easily come undone.

 

[Colin Corneau]

Unless you have a camera that requires specific cassettes, I recommend going to the local lab and asking for the waste cassettes from processed rolls. They'll still be intact and have a short bit of the last roll hanging out. Just tape your film on and then wind with your bulk loader as usual. ...

This is exactly what I do and it works a charm.

 

[slidesandthecity]

Oh, if I only knew place, where I could buy IXMOOS for reasonable prices ...

I'm still using some FP4 and XP1 ones (!) but will have to replace them soon - tried the cheapo o nes off fleabay but they distort easily. Might try the Firstcall ones next - anyone got direct experience of those?

I'd say they are alright. They are a bit fiddly and the caps need a good push, but this is probably to be expected.

 

[zuiko85]

Good quality reloadable cassettes are rare. I've been using the metal ones sold by Freestyle, They are just OK it seems. Of course Double X does not come in 135 cassettes at all so you are stuck trying to load your own. With regular B&W film there is almost no savings using bulk film anymore. I just buy perloaded film now.

 

[john neal]

With regular B&W film there is almost no savings using bulk film anymore. I just buy perloaded film now.

I disagree - 1,000ft of XX cost me less than the equivalent of 20 preloaded cassettes of Tri-X 😀

 

[ianstamatic]

Unless you have a camera that requires specific cassettes, I recommend going to the local lab and asking for the waste cassettes from processed rolls. They'll still be intact and have a short bit of the last roll hanging out. Just tape your film on and then wind with your bulk loader as usual. You'll put another three uses on the felt (load, expose, rewind) then you can pop em open and discard them. To make reloadable cassettes economical, you'll have to use them more than that and increase your chances of grit and scratches etc.

+1
since i started doing this all my 'bulk loading' problems disappeared.
most mini labs are all too happy for you to take their old canisters.
I overlap th old film and new film by 1mm and tape both sides with either blue painters or 3m magic tape.
you never need open the cassettes. If you get film stuck inside just use another piece of wet film inserted in the cassette, and then yanked out, to bring the leader out.