XPAN and bulk loaded film?

[newtorf]

Has anyone tried to use self loaded bulk film with XPAN? I tried a roll but the camera does not automatically wind the film after I close the back. I suspect it's because the film tip is different from stock roll film. Thanks!

 

[ryan26]

If your flm canisters aren't DX encoded I don't think the camera will wind them - unless you set the film speed manually.

Also, in my experienc ethe XPan sometimes takes a few tries to 'grab' onto a leader.

 

[Vickko]

There is a tiny hook in the film spool that hooks onto the film leader. You have to engage it.

Not sure about the non-DX coded canister. It would be a pretty big flaw if it didn't take non-DX coded film, I would think. But I haven't tried that.

Vick

 

[filmtwit]

Currently I know it won't handle Bell and Howell perfed film like DOuble X.

 

[didjiman]

Eh? Non-DX canisters work fine.

My XPan-II is loaded with a roll of Double-X right now, courtesy of a friend 🙂

The XPan can be fiddly loading a roll. Just keep trying. Sometimes it takes me 3-4 times to get the leader just in the right position (and I always use non-bulk loaded film except this time)

 

[dct]

If your flm canisters aren't DX encoded I don't think the camera will wind them - unless you set the film speed manually.
...

I had the same experience with Hexar RF, which shares some electronics with the XPAN/TX cameras. Did you try with manual ISO setting? XPAN manual says: If a non-DX film has been loaded while the ISO programming was set at 'Auto' (DX) then it will not be wound forward an the camera will not operate. Make a manual film speed programming and load the film again.

 

[Colin Corneau]

I've never had an XPan 'hesitate' to take up film, in 4 years of owning one.

Easy enough to set film speed manually,though (one of the many design strengths of that amazing camera)

 

[Tom A]

Some 'motorized" drives and the XX film can give problems. The slightly different pitch of the sprocket perforations can fool the drive. I did use bulkloaded film with my TX1 and rarely had a problem. What usually happens is that the film goes out of synch and either backs up or jam up. Horizon 202 was bad for it as was the Leicaflex SL Mot with the motor.
As suggested, use the manual film-speed coding and dont load too long a strip in the cassette - the TX1 usually stopped advancing at around frame 36 ( 24x36 mode) - if the film was too long it could "bunch" up at the end.

 

[didjiman]

I had the same experience with Hexar RF, which shares some electronics with the XPAN/TX cameras. Did you try with manual ISO setting? XPAN manual says: If a non-DX film has been loaded while the ISO programming was set at 'Auto' (DX) then it will not be wound forward an the camera will not operate. Make a manual film speed programming and load the film again.

Right, this IS correct. No DX coding means that you have set the ISO manually or it will not load the film!