What if I decided to do something stupid and load my own 35mm film from bulk?

[Tim Murphy]

Dear Board,

I'm not sure I am asking this question in the proper spot, but I imagine it can be moved if needed.

Suppose I wanted to load my own 35mm film. What will I need to do it?

I know I'll need a film loader to hold a 100ft roll. Currently, it appears that there is only one left that is easily available, and that is the Lloyds bulk film loader. Does anyone use this model? If so, can you post a modest review?

Are there any used bulk loaders that I should consider?

Am I wrong to assume that if I want to shoot 100 and 400 film that easiest way to load would be to have 2 film loaders? Is it even possible to easily keep 2 cans of film and switch them out as needed?

I know I'll need 35mm cassettes. There are both one-time and reusable cassettes available new. Are there any particular brands that you recommend using, or to avoid?

I do have a changing bag, so that part is covered.

What other items or accessories are need to the job properly that I may not be considering?

Thanks in advance.

Tim Murphy

Harrisburg PA 🙂

 

[santino]

You‘ve already covered all! I can‘t recommend loaders or cassettes but I use the reloadable ones (can‘t remember the brand) and have never had any problems (I don‘t need dx coding). And yes, for two spools two loaders are more convenienr than changing entire spools.

 

[boojum]

I did the bulk film reloader route back before Tri-X. If a young kid could do it you know it is simple. The loader I had that held the 100' worked in daylight, no need for a loading bag except when loading the 100' bulk roll. The downside is that your darkroom time developing the film will explode. LOL

 

[WJJ3]

I use a Watson 66 to load recycled cassettes and it works fine. The Watson 66 is built well, works fine, and appears to still be available used. For cassettes, just scotch tape onto the stub of film sticking out of an old cassette and wind up a roll.

 

[Tim Murphy]

I did the bulk film reloader route back before Tri-X. If a young kid could do it you know it is simple. The loader I had that held the 100' worked in daylight, no need for a loading bag except when loading the 100' bulk roll. The downside is that your darkroom time developing the film will explode. LOL

Dear boojum,

The darkroom developing time will not be an issue for me. I do all my developing in daylight tanks, the ARS-Imago Lab Box or my 35mm Lomography daylight tank!

I'm just some hobbyist goofball who wishes he could shoot 12 or even 20 exposure rolls again! 😉

Regards,

Tim Murphy

Harrisburg PA 🙂

 

[Cascadilla]

I haven't done this in decades, but when I did I remember two main loaders in the US--Lloyd and Watson. The Lloyd loader has a felt light trap while the Watson has a door that opens when you are ready to load, as well as frame counter. With the Lloyd you count turns of the crank. They both work--the Lloyd requires keeping that light trap spotless and concentration while you're loading a cartridge, while the Watson is easier to use. If I were you I would look for a Watson or two since switching rolls out of the loader will be a pain. I used to use the long gone Kodak Snap Caps, which worked well.

 

[armadsen]

The AP Bobinquick loader is still readily available new too. I’ve never used one, but I’ve heard several people say it’s the best loader out there. But I use a Watson 66B that I got used for $10 and it works just fine.

You can use one loader with multiple film types, you just have to switch reels in the dark.

You should go for it, it really isn’t hard.

 

[agentlossing]

I made it work even without a daylight bulk loader... Took my 100' roll of Fomapan 200 into a blacked out bathroom and wound the cassette spindles by "feel." A full arm span is close enough to a 36-exposure amount of film... Mine ended up being around 30-32 shots.

I haven't tried it since then, back in pandemic times when I had more time on my hands.

 

[johnf04]

I use an old Computrol loader I picked up for very little, and "Kalt" brand reloadable cassettes that I bought from B&H.

 

[steveyork]

Bulk loading is easy. Been doing it for years. Generally save lots by doing so (about 35-40%), and even more with home development of B&W film. Of the ones I used, the Arista Bobinquick is an easiest daylight bulk loader for universal cassettes. I use an Alden for Leica IXMOO cassettes. I only buy commercial loads now if I'm traveling by plane or if bulk loading doesn't save money like with tri-x.

 

[boojum]

Lloyd and Watson are listed on Amazon. I was unclear about darkroom time. I did the developing in daylight tanks, too. But after it was running those strips through enlargers that ate up Saturdays.

 

[ChrisPlatt]

I really like my Alden 74 loader.
It works reliably without scratching and has handy frame and footage counters.
This was a popular model so they're often available used from Internet sellers.

I prefer shorter rolls, so I can change film types and develop sooner.
A bulk loader allows you to load any amount of frames up to ~36.

CAUTION: 40 or more frames loaded in a standard cassette will result in some getting scratched. Ask me how I know.... 🙁

IMO the greatest challenge for those bulk loading 35mm film in recent years is unavailability of high-quality metal cassettes.

Chris

 

[Coldkennels]

I have a bunch of bulk loaders - I've been collecting them over the years. The ones patterned after the Watson are easily the best, but they're not all made equally. The Alden 74 is fantastic, and my bulk loader of choice. The Computrol is okay, but feels a little stiffer to use. The Prinz 66 is easily the worst - quite vague and sloppy.

As @ChrisPlatt pointed out, getting good cassettes is the biggest challenge. I have some generic ones I bought in 2010 that still work fine, but most ones that are currently available are terrible. However, if you have a preferred system of choice that had dedicated cassettes, track some down. I have at least a couple for most cameras I use - FED, Zorki, Contax, Kiev, Leotax, and Leica. In some cases it makes the camera considerably better to use - for instance, the Contax was really designed for cassette-to-cassette operation, and both pre-war Leicas and Contaxes run smoother (and keep the film in place better) if you use dedicated cassettes instead of modern ones.

There's also the adjustable Shirley-Wellard if you use any camera where the rewind fork can be pulled up to remove the film. I used to use one in an Olympus Trip 35 and in my Canon 7. They're a bit more fiddly to use, but they'll last forever.

 

[Freakscene]

Historically there were two types of loaders - the Alden type was more expensive and the Lloyd type was slightly cheaper. The Alden type has the redeeming feature that it won't scratch or ruin your film when you load it. Get the Alden type. I cannot tell you how many times I developed film for photographers, many very accomplished, that was scratched by a Lloyd type loader.

Kodak snap caps are sometimes available used. In my experience they are great, and will stop airport security from leaping on you as they think that you are trying to get a loaded belt for an AGS-17 onto a plane.

There is a great description of bulk loading here: [Leica] Bulk loading (long!) - note that it is from 2003 and the links are dead*, and prices and film availability information are sadly or amusingly, depending on how you look at it, out of date.

*So is its author - Sad news

 

[neal3k]

I've been bulk loading for years with three loaders, different brands and am happy with all. I never have trouble sourcing cassettes as I shoot a mix of reloaded and commercial cartridges. When loading my developing tank, I cut the film leaving at least a finger width left in the cassette sticking out. I tape my bulk rolls to this cassette leader. I reload each cassette two or three times, marking each time I reload with a sharpie. I don't get scratches. I shoot about 200 rolls/year, some commercial and some reloads.

 

[MarkWalberg]

Dear Board,

I'm not sure I am asking this question in the proper spot, but I imagine it can be moved if needed.

Suppose I wanted to load my own 35mm film. What will I need to do it?

I know I'll need a film loader to hold a 100ft roll. Currently, it appears that there is only one left that is easily available, and that is the Lloyds bulk film loader. Does anyone use this model? If so, can you post a modest review?

Are there any used bulk loaders that I should consider?

Am I wrong to assume that if I want to shoot 100 and 400 film that easiest way to load would be to have 2 film loaders? Is it even possible to easily keep 2 cans of film and switch them out as needed?

I know I'll need 35mm cassettes. There are both one-time and reusable cassettes available new. Are there any particular brands that you recommend using, or to avoid?

I do have a changing bag, so that part is covered.

What other items or accessories are need to the job properly that I may not be considering?

Thanks in advance.

Tim Murphy

Harrisburg PA 🙂

Tim, I started doing this again this year. The Alden is the one to get. Cheap on eBay, where I bought mine. It is really handy to load a short roll when that is all you need. Also, given that all your pics will be from the same roll of film, dependability is an asset.

 

[Tim Murphy]

Dear Board,

I bought a Burke and James Watson 66 loader off of eBay. The price was right, and it comes with the manual. After watching a YouTube video of the loader in use I feel confident that I won't mess things up too much! The video even showed that you can re-use a real film canister which will be helpful when I put my film in DX coded cameras.

Now I need to buy film!

Thanks to all for your help and encouragement!

Regards,

Tim Murphy

Harrisburg PA 🙂

 

[julio1fer]

Have used a Lloyds for 30 years, never a scratch. YMMV.