Metal or Plastic Cassettes?

suzums · 11-25-2005

I've just recently started to bulkload my own film. I bought my Wastons loader with 8 free plasitic cassettes. I'm thinking of ordering about 10 more cassettes, but I don't know which to choose.
How reusable are they? Both the metal and plastic...

Which would you recommend?

ddutchison · 11-26-2005

My preference is for the plastic ones. I once dropped a metal cassette and it popped open on me - The plastic ones have a kind of screw on top which resists that kind of behavior.

As to how long they last, that all depends on how clean you keep them. Eventually enough dust will collect in the felt light traps to scratch your film. I toss mine after 8 rolls. Plastic and metal are the same in that regard.

You may not be aware that some camera manufactures (Zeiss, Leica, Nikon, Pentax - that I know of -I'm sure there are others) made special self-opening film cassettes for their cameras. These last for ever since there is no felt to collect dust (or if there is, it isn't in contact with the film when the cassette's in the camera). Also, they just really cool. Might be worth checking to see if they were made for any of your cameras.

Ralf · 11-26-2005

I think the plastic ones are better. However I did have problems with auto rewind on my MZ (ZX)5n Pentax SLR. It seems they build up static or internal friction or something. The camera would not rewind. Manual cameras wre not a problem. Please note it only happened when 36 or more frames wre loaded, With 24 or 30, it was OK.

After a while, I just reused my spent cannisters from B&W film. I used sticky tape to attach the little bit of unused film at the end of the roll, to the end leader from the bulk film roller. Worked a treat, reused them at least 5 times if not more, and for all intents and purposes, they were FREE.

Cheers

suzums · 11-26-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ralf

After a while, I just reused my spent cannisters from B&W film.
Cheers

How did you reused the cassesttes of other films? I usually use plyers to open them when developing, haha so they are pretty warped to be used again.

Ralf · 11-26-2005

For B&W, I load the exposed film onto a development spool in a darkbag. I cut the film leaving about 1/2 inch of the end of the film sticking out of the cannister.

The 1/2 inch of left over film is used to attach the fresh film sticking out of the bulk film loader. Join them together with clear ceallophane tape like Scotchtape. You only need a 1 inch or less. Once attached, take up the slack in the spool by turning the spindle. (I wish I had some photos of this).

Now you can wind on the film in the usual manner.

You have a fresh roll of film which you can expose and reuse. I hope this helps, but I feel that i haven't expalined this very well.

I used to collect the old cannisters until I had about 20, then bulk loaded all of them at once, with 30 frames. I found 30 frmaes to be an ideal amount as it fills an 8X10 sheet of enlarging paper when making contact prints.

Cheers

suzums · 11-26-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ralf

(I wish I had some photos of this).

Cheers

Haha no that was a great description, no photos needed! Lol now I just feel stupid that I've never thought of that. Thank you!

Now I see what to do. I've got 20 rolls of Tri-X that I should use up first before I should start bulk loading the 100ft of Tri-X!

Thank you Ralf!

suzums · 11-26-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manolo Gozales

Hey

Have you tried going to your local minilab and asking for the empty cassettes from films they have developed? They should have a tongue of film sticking out onto which you can attach the bulk film. Won't cost you anything, so you can avoid having to re-use them and risk scratches - just get some more!

ManGo

I was just thinking of doing that tomorrow!

Trius · 11-26-2005

I find the screwtops on the plastic ones that I bought to be really insecure. I much prefer the metal cassettes. If the tops pop off, they probably weren't put on correctly.

Earl

jano · 11-26-2005

Err.. sorry a little OT here.. how do you know how many frames you've loaded with a bulk loader?

suzums · 11-26-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by jano

Err.. sorry a little OT here.. how do you know how many frames you've loaded with a bulk loader?

There is a little counter on the side of the loader that clicks as you wind the film into the cassette. So if you want like a roll of 24, you'd let the counter go over by 4 so you stop at 30 instead. I've rolled about 10, never been dead on... but close enough

ed1k · 11-26-2005

Err... I wish I had damn plastic soviet cassetes for film here

I saw some advertisement about cannisters for bulk film with and without DX coding and I'm going to buy some. Will see what's all about. Too bad - better reusable cassetes were made in German Democratic Republic. Soviet cassetes were not that bad, but from metal vs plastic I liked plastic ones

And most important is how you store them... I mean dust free environment is a must.
Eduard.

peter_n · 11-26-2005

I've been reusing commercial cassettes as Monolo describes but this week I got some reusable metal cassettes from B&H and they seem OK in terms of construction. Have not used plastic ones yet. I've read that Kalt is a good brand - I think the yellow metal reusables that Adorama sells are made by Kalt.

James Burton · 11-26-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trius

I find the screwtops on the plastic ones that I bought to be really insecure. I much prefer the metal cassettes.
Earl

I put a small piece of tape over the top to stop it moving (or at least to ease my mind).

Thanks,
James

James Burton · 11-26-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ralf

I think the plastic ones are better. However I did have problems with auto rewind on my MZ (ZX)5n Pentax SLR. It seems they build up static or internal friction or something. The camera would not rewind. Manual cameras wre not a problem. Please note it only happened when 36 or more frames wre loaded, With 24 or 30, it was OK.

I believe that it's just friction between the flanges and the cannister. I started putting some candle wax in there and its fine.

James

anselwannab · 11-26-2005

I like plastic ones b/c I can keep them in my pocket when I go thru security at the airport. No extra xrays for the film.

celluloidprop · 11-26-2005

Is there any advantage to metal over plastic (or vice-versa) in terms of static electricity/gathering dust?

suzums · 11-27-2005

Thanks for all the replies!

I think I'm settled on the plastic ones like the ones I have now. I'll go to the local camera store to see if I can get any free ones from them as well!