Bulk Loading Film

GeneW · 02-19-2005

Crikey -- I just won a Lloyd's bulk loader with 10 reloadable film cassettes on eBay. It's been over 30 yrs since I bulk loaded any film (and that was Panatomic-X)

Any tips? I don't remember much about it.

Storage: how do you store your loader/film? Can you wrap it tightly in freezer bags and store it in the freezer or fridge??

I'll most likely be bulk loading Tri-X.

Gene

o0dano0o · 02-19-2005

I just keep my loader in the fridge. Granted I don't really keep food in there with it. Plastic bags might be a good idea.

I usually load 30 frames per can as to get ~ 24-26 usable shots.

If you have any specific questions, lemme know.

GeneW · 02-19-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by o0dano0o

If you have any specific questions, lemme know.

Thanks! Once I receive it I'll see what I can remember. With luck it might include an instruction manual ...

Gene

back alley · 02-19-2005

i see bulk loading becoming the 'in' thing on rff...

got me thinking about it.
joe

o0dano0o · 02-19-2005

I've been doing it for the past few years. Started with tmax 100, then turned to hp5, now waiting for a bulk of hp5 and tri x from adorama.

It's good stuff.

doubs43 · 02-19-2005

I presently have four bulk loaders with B&W film in them. From Efke 25 to Arista D-Max 400. A fifth loader has Fuji 100 color negative film in it.

Walker

GeneW · 02-19-2005

Walker, you're doing some serious bulk loading! Which loaders to you own? Are they all the same or do you have a mix?

Gene

o0dano0o · 02-19-2005

I use a watson for my loading, as do my photo friends. I also use them at the club I run.

looks like they're going pretty cheaply:
http://search.ebay.com/watson-loader_W0QQfkrZ1QQfromZR8

doubs43 · 02-19-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneW

Walker, you're doing some serious bulk loading! Which loaders to you own? Are they all the same or do you have a mix? Gene

Gene, I have three Watson loaders and two Aldens. I had an Alden and a Watson and won four more loaders on ebay for $20. One has a pair of flat springs that're supposed to keep the cassette cavity lid in place and they're sprung. I don't use it but the others were fine after I cleaned them up. They came from a police department and have seen considerable use but are perfectly useable.

I have them loaded with Efke 25; Ilford Pan-F 50; Agfa APX-100 Pro and Arista D-Max 400 - all B&W. The fifth loader has color film in it.

BTW, I bought an Epson 4180 scanner yesterday at a Staples store (office supplies) and it even has a $50 rebate which makes the final cost $150. It does much better than the Microtek I was using for MF.

Walker

RayPA · 02-20-2005

I have one Alden and two Watsons. I personally like Aldens the best, but any working light-tight bulk loader is better than buying bricks of film, IMHO.

back alley · 02-20-2005

there seem to be different models of the watson, does it matter much?

joe

doubs43 · 02-20-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by backalley photo

there seem to be different models of the watson, does it matter much? joe

Joe, I don't think so. I did a count a little earlier and I have eight loaders total; five Watson & 3 Alden. The Alden has the sprung springs while the Watsons are OK as far as I can tell. The Watsons and the Aldens will load some of the old metal Leitz cassettes but I don't believe they'll load all of them. The ones that seem to work OK are the ones with the flat unbent springs with the lip that sticks up a little higher than the body. I've never been able to get the ones with the folded-over springs to work.

Don't overlook the simple Lloyd loader. It works just fine. I had one some years back and don't recall what I did with it.

Freestyle sells a model that I'm unfamiliar with but looks like it's pretty nice. It's called simply the Arista Bulk Loader and sells for $40.

Walker

back alley · 02-20-2005

i'm looking at a new watson for less than 18 bucks on ebay, right now. it's a buy it now and i'm tempted.

joe

GeneW · 02-20-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by backalley photo

i'm looking at a new watson for less than 18 bucks on ebay, right now. it's a buy it now and i'm tempted.

joe

Go for it Joe!!!!

You can always use it for trade if you decide not to use it.

Gene

digitalox · 02-20-2005

Is it possible to bulk load 120, or would that be more trouble than its worth?

doubs43 · 02-20-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by digitalox

Is it possible to bulk load 120, or would that be more trouble than its worth?

It's possible but definitely more trouble than it's worth. My father did his own 120 rolling during WW2 when it was impossible for civilians to get film. Someone he knew in the Army gave him some bulk 70mm film made for aerial cameras and he loaded that to backings he'd saved. He used some of it to take weddings.

Walker

back alley · 02-20-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneW

Go for it Joe!!!!

You can always use it for trade if you decide not to use it.

Gene

just bought it!

you people are a bad influence.

this will come in handy when i have a film scanner.

joe

GeneW · 02-20-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by backalley photo

just bought it!

you people are a bad influence.

this will come in handy when i have a film scanner.

joe

We ARE bad

Let me know when you need a scanner cheap. I've got a Canoscan 2710 sitting downstairs doing nothing. It requires a SCSI interface but a non-bootable SCSI card can be found pretty inexpensively these days...

Gene

laurentvenet · 02-20-2005

Hi Everyone. I bought not long ago on ebay US a Lloyd bulk film loader.

At first, I wanted to buy some film and I bid thinking 100' was meaning 100 rolls...Then after bidding, I understood that it was 30 meters of film and that the price was more expensive than on B&H. Anyway I also bought this Lloyd buld loader + cassettes. It's much simpler than what I thought.

Once the big roll of film is inside the bulk loader (has to be done in full darkness), you have to pull out of the loader about 2 inch of film, then you close the top of the loader with it's red cover.

Light can be turned on. Whenever I need to load a cassette, I take the spool, take some tape and stick the film on the spool. I then put the spool in the cassette, close everything, and close the loader with the cassette.
I'm then ready to to fill the cassette by turning and counting. The first time, I made an about 45 shots film, which was a bit stupid. When I went to the lab, I only had back about 38 shots, I do not know what happen with the end of the film.

My fridge is too small to fill it with film, though the TMAX-400 100' roll I bought is outdated, but it seems to work well this way.

RayPA · 02-20-2005

One of the things I really like about bulk loading is the ability to go the other direction and load up short rolls, like 12 exposures.

GeneW · 02-20-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by laurentvenet

Light can be turned on. Whenever I need to load a cassette, I take the spool, take some tape and stick the film on the spool. I then put the spool in the cassette, close everything, and close the loader with the cassette.
I'm then ready to to fill the cassette by turning and counting.

Laurent, thanks for the description. The one I won is also Lloyds so I hope it turns out to be easy (been too many years since I last did this and I don't remember it well).

You raised a good point. What kind of tape should be used?? Any recommendations on tape?? Not Scotch tape I presume.

Gene

Kin Lau · 02-20-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneW

What kind of tape should be used?? Any recommendations on tape?? Not Scotch tape I presume.

Scotch tape is exactly what I use. I comes off real easily in the changing bag. I usually use about 2.5 inchs or so, equal lengths on each side of the film around the spool, and is strong enough to stop you when you wind to the end of the roll.

back alley · 02-20-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneW

We ARE bad

Let me know when you need a scanner cheap. I've got a Canoscan 2710 sitting downstairs doing nothing. It requires a SCSI interface but a non-bootable SCSI card can be found pretty inexpensively these days...

Gene

thanks gene.
i have one coming from spain, a nikon L30, but it's on a very slow boat.
actually it was given to me by a friend of oscar's but he got married and started working again (he was retired) and one thing to another and it's taking longer than expected.
but the price was right so what's to complain about?!

joe

doubs43 · 02-20-2005

I use 3/4 inch masking tape cut to a length that gives one wrap around the spool with about a one inch tongue that attaches to the film. Works well and can be re-used several times if you're careful.

Re the Lloyd's loader. They're good loaders and will work just fine. Not as fancy as the Watson or Alden and you'll have to count turns of the crank but they do the same job and do it well.

Walker

RayPA · 02-20-2005

I started using black electrical tape, out of necessity, and only because I have so much of it. Otherwise, I'd use the 3/4" masking tape, as well. But since I've been using it, I actually like it. It stretches, is more forgiving if you have to peel it off, and cleaning the film spool for the next use is very easy.