Should I invest in some IXMOO film canisters?

[pushto1600]

Hey y'all. I shoot an M4-P, and I'm on the brink of ordering 100ft of FP4 and 100ft of HP5 for the winter, I've got a bulk loader, all the chemicals and equipment I need, I just need to get canisters to roll the film onto. I've been doing some research on what to use, and the IXMOO popped up. Should I grab a few? They're pricy but they seem like they'll do their jobs and last until the Messiah returns. Any other suggestions?

 

[mrb]

If you're bulk loading to save money, I'm not convinced that leica cassettes are the right way to go. I use Kodak snap-cap cassettes (ebay) and arista metal reloadable cassettes (Freestyle). You can get enough of these to load an entire 100-foot bulk roll for the price of one IXMOO.

 

[pushto1600]

If you're bulk loading to save money, I'm not convinced that leica cassettes are the right way to go. I use Kodak snap-cap cassettes (ebay) and arista metal reloadable cassettes (Freestyle). You can get enough of these to load an entire 100-foot bulk roll for the price of one IXMOO.

how is the felt on those? that's why i'm thinking about grabbing some IXMOOs, im scared of scratching my film like I did last time I bulk loaded

 

[Shac]

I agree with MRB. If you buy new metal snap-caps they should be fine.

 

[Rob-F]

I would go with the snap-caps. I think they are easier to load and use. So what if they don't last forever.

 

[aizan]

Are some snap-caps better than others? The only ones available locally were the Kodaks and Aristas. Both have been fine.

 

[Doug]

The IXMOO is a classy way to go, but used film canisters can last a long time too if cared for. I use a miniature vacuum to clean out any debris with special attention to the lip-fuzz, and have not seen any problems with reuse. I do like the old Agfa and Ilford cassettes that are made so the caps snap off easily. With Kodak/Fuji type canisters it's easier to just tape the new film to the projecting stub of the old (assuming you've not rewound the exposed film all the way in!)

 

[bfb]

I bulk loaded a lot of film using cheap canisters and never had a problem. Some of that was in a shared darkroom and you were never quite sure where the canister came from. I quit doing it because I was shooting less and it's not that much cheaper. Recently I bought 400 feet of Double X, bought a few IXMOO and loaded that into my M2. They are bit fiddly but they give you that super smooth wind that some M owners talk about. It's pretty much like winding with no film in the camera. I'd buy one and try it out. I'm sure you could easily resell it. Just make sure you get the right one.

 

[davidnewtonguitars]

Depends on how much film you will shoot.
Since I'm not shooting near as much now, I am using 2 IXMOO's, one in the camera, and loading 1 as it is emptied. Before I was loading 6-10 metal cannisters at a time, I don't use a loader, but a changing bag.
The cheap plastic cannisters are a waste, avoid them. The metal Arista cannisters are good.

 

[philipus]

I'm using the below plastic cassettes with screw caps and have never had scratches on the film due to the felt. They're very inexpensive, close securely and are very very light.

https://www.macodirect.de/film/film...nd-patronen/ap-filmpatronen-plastik-35mm?c=23

 

[steveyork]

Bulk loading is fun and you do save $$. I started with the metal snap top canisters, and now use a combination of those metal canisters, plastic screw top and IXMOO. I generally load different film into the different canisters. The metal canisters from Arista are great but they do have a useful life; about 5-10 reloads before they get bent out of shape or too dirty to clean. JUST REMEMBER TO CLEAN THE FELT LAYER WITH TAPE BEFORE EACH RELOAD. Good advice to start with the Arista cannisters to see if you like bulk loading. It make take a couple bulk loads before you get the hang of it, but like developing your own film, once it becomes second nature, you'll wonder why you didn't do it earlier.

The IXMOO are the best because there's no way for the film to get scratched, and generally, once you learn the trick, are the easiest and most fun to load. I load them by hand in a dark closet of changing bag. I have enough for 200' but as you say, they've gotten pricey in the last several years. It comes down to how much film you shoot really. By bulk loading (except TRi-X), you'll save about 40% per roll and multiply that number by the number rolls you shoot a year. That sum should tell you whether IXMOO's are a reasonable investment or not. It's not a sunk cost; you always can sell them too, but prices today are pretty crazy. Just keep your eyes open, and search for leica canisters, leica reload ect. More reasonable deals do appear at times. Be aware, there are two types of Leica reloadable canisters. M cameras take the one with the silver knib.