Has anyone used this bulk loader?

ray_g · 06-02-2005

I got a Telesar "computerized" bulk loader in the mail today. I have read that it is similar to the AP bulk loader. My concern is that it does not appear to have a light trap, but instead uses 3 or 4 "turns" which I suppose would prevent light from entering the main film compartment when the loading gate is open.

Anyone with experience with this loader?

kiev4a · 06-02-2005

It looks like the type that uses a felt light trap. Had one years ago and worked well until the light trap material got gritty and started scratching the film.

ray_g · 06-02-2005

You're absolutely right! I had missed it because everything is black inside, but felt the felt (?) when i poked inside one of the narrow spaces.

Good news is, it's new (given to me). I should be able to get some use out of it.

Thanks.

taffer · 06-03-2005

Yeah Ray, seems very similar (or the same) as the AP / Arista / Jessops / Konica, etc. I got one some days ago for $10 with two long rolls of film, I'll check if it puts scratches on film or not... glups...

solane · 06-03-2005

pardon my naivete, but i didn't even know a "computerized" bulk loader exsisted. i still have my old hand-crank loader from college and was considering trying to use it again. i wish i had a darkroom set-up to load it in though.

are there advantages to the "computerized" loaders?

kiev4a · 06-03-2005

I used my loader with the felt trap for a number of years befor I had any problems. One way to help avoid the scratches would be to make sure you clean out the cavity where the bulk roll is stored before putting in a new one. Also keep the cover on the cassette portion when not in use

titrisol · 06-03-2005

take some painters masking tape (the blue one) and run it thorugh the felt traps between 100' rolls.
Carefully though not to lift the felt.
Takes the grit away

Quote:

Originally Posted by taffer

Yeah Ray, seems very similar (or the same) as the AP / Arista / Jessops / Konica, etc. I got one some days ago for $10 with two long rolls of film, I'll check if it puts scratches on film or not... glups...

kiev4a · 06-03-2005

I've heard of the masking tape trick before but never tried it. Was always scared some of the adhesive might stick to the felt. Must work, though.

titrisol · 06-03-2005

the blue masking tape works best, because the adhesive is not too sticky and doesn;t adhere to the felt.

xcapekey · 06-03-2005

i use the blue masking tape to tape the rims down to the body of the cassette as well...keeps them from accidentally popping off and also gives me a surface to write on...

doubs43 · 06-03-2005

I could be wrong but that looks to be a Lloyd's bulk loader. I had one - my first bulk loader ever - many years ago and as I recall, it did just fine for many, many rolls of film without a problem.

kiev4a · 06-03-2005

I also use the blue tape for attaching the end of the film to the spool. I've never had one come loose. It's great stuff.

I've also used it to make a template for cutting a new "skin" for a camera body. Remove the old covering and replace it with overlapping pieces of tape, using an xacto knife to trim the tape to fit the contours. Then peel the tape off as a unit, stick in on the covering material and cut around it.

It's great stuff.

ray_g · 06-03-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by solane

pardon my naivete, but i didn't even know a "computerized" bulk loader exsisted. i still have my old hand-crank loader from college and was considering trying to use it again. i wish i had a darkroom set-up to load it in though.

are there advantages to the "computerized" loaders?

It is an old crank loader as well. "Computerized" is in quotations on the item itself, and I think it was just a marketing gimmick, referring to the usual sprocket-driven counter for the number of exposures you have loaded, and remaining length of film in your bulk roll.

solane · 06-03-2005

hey ray_g, thanks for clearing that for me. good luck getting your loader de-gunked!

ray_g · 06-03-2005

I think it is "computerized" because it gives you a running total of how many feet you have used up, something most other loaders do not.