Getting into bulk loading...

Xmas said:
-vin-
e-bay or olde worldy camera shop
There is one type the called the Consor (I think) which will fit any standard 35mm camera, about 3GBP, it uses a labrynth light trap.
The others are concentric and are closed while outside the camera but opened inside the camera by a rotating base plate latch, and closed again by the latch.
The Kiev, Contax, and many of the other FSU cameras with a baseplate latch will employ the same cassette, but not Zorki 1 or Fed 1. There are two Leitz cassettes one for LTM only one for both M and LTM, except M5, and Nikon F and a Nikon F2, not compatible, what cameras do you use?

Noel
P.S. there is a third type which is somewhat more general but I've forgotten its name again.

Thank you, Noel!

I use an M2 and a reflex, and I tried to do my own rolls but I've always experienced problems. Anyway, I'm a student, so that's the way to go.

So I have to look for this keyword: Consor. Right?

Thanks again!
 
-vin-

No the M2 will use one of the two types of Leitz concentric cassettes, google FILCA that is the wrong code but you should ge a post that tells you what the difference is. The FILCA casettes are 2mm too long and you might get away with a file job but it is best to get the M cassettes.

The only problem is dropping them and making sure the loader you buy operates them, thpically they are 5 USD.

The other two key works are two posts up

Shirley Wellard
Consar

But my memory is not good for names or code words.

Noel
 
steamer said:
Don't you bulk-loading aficionados have trouble with scratches on your film. I know I sure do. I've got a partial roll of fuji neopan 1600 and and 30 meters of Tri-X, when that's gone I think I'll go back to ready rolled film.

The only scratches I ever get are when I don't open the light trap on the loader. I've been using the same reloadable cassettes for a couple years now, and so far no problems. I do keep the cassettes in film cans all the time so they don't gather the grit in my bag, however.

I've had far more problems with scratches from my negative sleeves than from rolling my own film.
 
Last edited:
The M2 uses the IXMOO cassette and you can identify by the small chrome knob on the top. The LTM Leica's uses another type of cassette with a black paint knob. these are two mm taller and will not go into a M2 and if, by any chance you get it in, it will jam the baseplate shut.
I had a couple of the Wellard cassettes but I had trouble with them so they were donated to a friend.
If you find the IXMOO, be sure that it opens and closes freely as the brass can corrode and stiffen them up. You can polish the outside and inside shell slip surface with some very fine steel wool or "scrubbing" pad. Be sure that you polish it in the turning direction, not up/down as that will increase the friction. Clean it and put a small dab of lubricant on your finger and run it over both surfaces and wipe clean. Now the cassette should work fine.
Loading them is a bit tricky until you get the hang of it. The Watson loaders will work with the IXMOO most of the time. The take up spool of the IXMOO has a small slot in it that you insert the V shaped end of the film into. Always check that it stays put as the small springs inside tend to "tire" and the film slips out. If in doubt, just use tape to hold it in place.
The daylight loaders are fine, but if you have access to a absolutely dark room, it is quicker to just pull the film between your outstreched arms and cut (that gives you 35-38 frames, depending on your "span".
It i a VERY good idea to get some "waste" film and learn how to cut,tape and load first in daylight and then with your eyes closed. Doing in the dark has its moments! Use something like an empty print box for keeping scissors and cassette pieces in one place. Nothing worse than having them fall on the floor and roll under furniture and equipment.
To speed up "digital" loading (using hands and arms), take a small piece of wood - a dowel pin and trim it to fit inside the take up spools center, cut a slot in it so that it slides down enough over the cross bar in the center. This becomes the "twirling" stick used to wind up the film on the spool. Beware that the film is firmly located between the flanges of the spool as it will otherwise jam resoundingly when you assemble the cassette.
I know shooters who have a piece of wood cut to 5feet 6 inches and use it as a measure and I even had one of those long time ago with a shaft that would hold a 400ft spool. You just pulled enough film to put your thumb on "Inch 0" and cut at the other end. Worked fine but you need a lot of space unless you wall mount it or use the edge of a table. Trying to handle the thing in total darkness is somewhat akin to waving a sword while being blind folded. You hit a lot of things and most of them not what you want!
Check with your local, long established photo suppliers re loaders and IXMOO's. There a lot of them around, but unforunately a lot of IXMOO's got thrown out when Hospitals, Universities etc went digital!
You need to accumulate about 18-19 of them to load 100' - it is tedious to do so you might as well do a full can while at it.
The cassette with felt traps that you can buy are usually fine for 2-3 uses IF you try to clean the felt between loading, but after that they are usually toast. They are thin metal or plastic and the caps tend to pop off.
It is most inconvinient that the Bessa's do not accept Leica/Zeiss/Nikon/Wellard cassettes so for that camera you will have to relay on "felt trapped" ones.
 
Like 40oz, I never had any scratch issues with the reusable felt trap cassettes. Don't know what brand they were (shouldn't matter I would think), but I had probably 50 of them and used them over and over. Occasionally I would get one where the cap didn't want to stay on, and I would chuck it.

I used one of those old loaders that looked like it was made out of bakelite. Black with a red cap and twirly knob. I did as Tom suggests and always rolled 100' at a session (usually while watching the tube).

On the other hand, maybe nothing says "Film, not digital" better than some good neg scratches.

Cheers,
Gary
 
One purchase of a Computrol bulk loader later... the postman cannot deliver that thing soon enough.

This place should have a wallet warning! ;)
 
Well the 68m APX400 lengths filling up my salad box were 5 GBP each...

ManGo got an even better deal of HP5 I recall.

The loader is to save money, or to allow you to shoot more, mine have been 3-17 GBP, the 17 was new, and one was a swap.

Noel
 
Xmas said:
Well the 68m APX400 lengths filling up my salad box were 5 GBP each...
Hmm... best I can manage at the moment, is around £14... minus "shipping". :(

ManGo got an even better deal of HP5 I recall.
Ilford's much easier to get hold of. :)

Plus, there's that Leica cassette doing nothing in the display cabinet at the moment. ;)
 
350D_user said:
One purchase of a Computrol bulk loader later... the postman cannot deliver that thing soon enough.

This place should have a wallet warning! ;)

Curse that postal strike, eh :(

Just think how much you're going to save on film :)
 
Back
Top Bottom