Do you bulk load your own film?

[NickTrop]

Originally Posted by acheyj

No fight from me Nick.
Years spent with watson loader, cut film. All sorts of cameras, mainly RF, stinking darkroom zone system chasing the holy grail with neofin for 20x16 from M2 etc. My wife has been saying why do you mess abt when digital is so much better. Bugger me she is right. My current digital gear beats the hell out of 6x9 Mamiya/Bertram 6x7 RB67.
I am defeated and beaten sigh !!

ron

I know the feeling - however, take solace in the fact that this wasn't always the case... just until the last few years, I'd say. The many vices of digital - battery life, shutter lag, camera costs, noise at ISOs over 400, few prime lens choices, dynamic range that kept me happily (and still on occasion) using film, have improved to the point that it matches and in may ways exceeds small format film - especially at high ISOs. Shoot film if you like using classic gear (which I still do), like the "hand-crafted" artisan approach to making a print (rolling, developing negs, wet printing) which I did for quite a spell, and - of course, medium and large format that digital to this day can't match at anything approaching a reasonable price. For me, the turning point was the relatively inexpensive 35/1.8 Nikon AFS lens. Reasonably priced, and is the only lens I've owned where I can shoot wide open without issues with flare, contrast loss, or loss of sharpness. At wide aps, as cheaply made as it obviously is by comparison, it totally blows away any traditional lens I've owned. It was a revelation. There's no comparison between the output at 1600 shooting at 1.8 with the Nikon DSLR and any other similarly spec'd film camera I've owned. As you said, "sigh"...

As for rolling your own... I strongly suggest going to a local camera shop and getting spent 35mm cartridges and using green splicing tape (which is a little hard to find, but "findable") instead of using the reusable cartridges that are sold. My local Ritz was more than glad to get rid of them, got 100's free of charge. Use them a couple times, pitch them.

[pachuco]

Originally Posted by al1966

I dont roll the last but Ive rolled my own cable(audio)

That's really cool, man. Shows what I know, I thought audio cable was all done by machine!

[al1966]

Originally Posted by pachuco

That's really cool, man. Shows what I know, I thought audio cable was all done by machine!

With a group of people we bulk purchase silver wire with ptfe sleeve I could make a one meter cable for about $10. See how much they rip you for silver cable, so much of high end audio is a big rip off.

[richreidjr]

I roll B/W... my first 100' roll was generic iso 100 from china I think. It was just to learn how to do it. I had fun and got interesting results. Now I buy TriX and anything else I can get a deal on. I like being able to roll any length and it really gives you the feeling that you are saving money. Whether or not that is true, I am not sure. I do have occasional scratches that have to be taken out in post proc.
It's fun just to say that I roll and develop my own film. I wish there was an easy way to roll 120!

[richreidjr]

no kidding! this sucks when it happens.

Originally Posted by Pete B

Don't put so much on that you can't get it all on your developing spool
Pete

[HuubL]

I voted "YES", but I'm not so sure I will continue bulk loading if my next two bulk rolls of FP4 finish as quickly as the last one. See this thread.

[barnwulf]

I almost didn't vote because even though I don't bulk load, the "I can't be bothered" part is not my feeling at all. Why couldn't it just be Yes or No period? Why the added attitude? I used to bulk load but don't any longer but maybe again someday. Jim

[Mablo]

Last winter I bought two bulk rolls: one of Efke 50 and another one of HP5+. Now it's about time to load and shoot the Efke bulk roll. I still prefer the plastic cassettes and bought some more a while ago.

[kdemas]

I've currently got two bulk loaders going. One Watson has TMAX 400, the other Acros 100. Both work great.

[Athiril]

5201 50D, 5219 500T, old Ilford HP3, Vision Print Film.

[WDPictures]

Recently started with one Bobinquick loader from Freestyle which are pretty nice but rather pricey. Thinking of getting another loader but not sure if its better to go with the much cheaper Legacy Pro Lloyd and count the clicks. Didn't like measuring by hand but suppose I could get used to it once I get a system down. Always something to spend money on.

[heartattackandvine]

Gosh, only now I realize that there's such a thing as a bulk film loader. Ages ago, I used to do it all manually. Which was a bit tricky in total darkness.

[rizraz]

Originally Posted by WDPictures

Recently started with one Bobinquick loader from Freestyle which are pretty nice but rather pricey. Thinking of getting another loader but not sure if its better to go with the much cheaper Legacy Pro Lloyd and count the clicks. Didn't like measuring by hand but suppose I could get used to it once I get a system down. Always something to spend money on.

I do use the Legacy Pro Lloyd, it is actually counting the turns you make. No problem with it as I usually get the number of frames I wanted..... 30 turns for 36 exposures, well maybe +/- 1 exposure.

[dboxer]

Did my first roll last night. A couple hiccups, but I think it turned out all right. Will have to shoot some asap and see.
Tri-X into DX coded metal canisters.

Think I'll keep the empty spool and can in case I like this bulk loading deal and wanna try out some Kodax Double X.

[BobYIL]

100' HP5+ for $49.95 makes about $2.75 per roll; hard to resist. Ordered 10 rolls again and I do it since years.

[stratcat]

I load my own Tri-X. If I can get my hands on a roll of Acros or FP4, I'll get another bulk loader.

[Dan95]

I load mine.

Kicked my AP Bulk Loader a few feet, broke the bugger.

[narsuitus]

I have used Watson and Lloyd bulk loaders for color slide and black & white film.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11336821@N00/6080915144/


To avoid scratches (especially in thin emulsion films) and film jamming, I have used felt-free cassettes in my motorized Nikon F and F2 cameras.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11336821@N00/5218557633/


I have used plastic and metal cassettes in my other cameras.

I routinely make 30-exposure rolls.

I process my own film (color and b&w).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11336821@N00/6251222829/

[varjag]

Yes. From 1000', 400' and 100' rolls. IXMOOs (first preference), metal and plastic cassettes. No bulk loader, just cut by hand in the dark.

[donkee]

I wish I could find color slide in 100' rolls these days. I could order MPF from Kodak for $475 for a 400ft roll but she would scream bloody murder.

Originally Posted by narsuitus

I have used Watson and Lloyd bulk loaders for color slide and black & white film.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11336821@N00/6080915144/


To avoid scratches (especially in thin emulsion films) and film jamming, I have used felt-free cassettes in my motorized Nikon F and F2 cameras.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11336821@N00/5218557633/


I have used plastic and metal cassettes in my other cameras.

I routinely make 30-exposure rolls.

I process my own film (color and b&w).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11336821@N00/6251222829/

[DriesI]

Any place to get 100' rolls of slide film?

[kokoshawnuff]

I don't think 100' slide is available from any of the manufacturers. At least not in the US

[Overkill-F1]

I have in the past used a Watson loader and went through many 100' rolls, mainly HP5 as it was easliy available. I have restarted shooting film and a 100' roll of Tri-X in is the mail. :-)
...Terry

[Uncle Bill]

Bulk loaded for several years now, usually Ilford HP5, Delta 100, FP4 or Kodak Tri-x.

[leicapixie]

I've finished my last bulk roll, Ilford Surveillance Film. It uses a Polyester base allowing more length, as it is way thinner. Tear proof and will not bend easily. I was scared to place the film in my M6 in case it came out of the cassette that i had loaded! The results of my early scans is enough to keep me shooting digital with a point and shoot digital..
I guess I will get some more film, but the new price of Tri-X in Toronto, at Henry's, over a $100- has kinda pushed me away. I will wait for cooler weather and order a few bulk rolls from B+H, NYC.
I think in the near future, I will have to evaluate shooting film. The cost and problems, of poor scans and poorly made film..