"BULK FILM LOADER" suggestions

<p>Hello</p>

<p>I purchased some bulk "COLOR FILM" and need suggestions on what is the best, "daylight" bulk film loader?</p>

<p>Also, I could use opinions on "film canisters" as well.</p>

<p>Thanks everyone in advance,</p>

<p>Carlos</p>

 

<p>I prefer Lloyd's type loaders as they have the lest film wastage and fewer parts to break. As for the felt light traps I clean them between rolls with sticky tape and ever few years change out the felt. I got a sheet of self adhesive felt at a hobby shop 4 years ago and I still have more than enough.<br>

As for canisters I use the ones I got from a one hour lab that they were going to throw out. I just tape the film to the little tab that sticks out and I use them once. I also have metal and plastic ones and The metal ones sometimes get light leaks. I just toss them at that point. As with the loader tape will remove most grime from the felt on your cassettes.</p>

<p>th watson loader that uses a movable light baffle is supposed to be the best.<br>

I use LLOYS bulk loaders that use a felt lighh trap. I was warned abou scratches on the film. I keep the loares on a zip-loxk bag. never a problem.<br>

there are other more serious considerations.<br>

today s cartriges are hard staked and cannot be taken abart.<br>

( except by force)<br>

many cameras require a DX coded cartrige.<br>

I think ultrafileonline photo wrehouse has iso 100 and 400 reloadable cartriges.<br>

Porter s camera store ( out of busiess?) had stick on dx code labels.</p>

<p>Many labe will no develop mystery film/. If you have a walk-in lab<br>

and can show the film can that possibly will develop your film.</p>

<p>Some of the euro plastic cartriges, will take a toung of film in a slot on the spool<br>

no tape needed/</p>

<p>I like the old Alden bulk loaders. They don't use felt, and are better-made and waste less film than the Lloyds. But they are Bakelite, and will break if you drop them.<br>

Getting decent reusable cartridges is becoming a nuisance. I like the European ones with the gold-colored ends, less likely to pop apart if dropped.</p>

 

<p>I always use my bulk loaders inside a changing bag, such that the far (inside) end of the film isn't exposed. I like to expose to the end. Unless you know the exact length, it is hard to stop before the exposed end, anyway.</p>

<p>I have two of the Watson loaders, which as noted have a light door (close before opening the film loading compartment), and not the ones with the felt trap. There is supposed to be a lever to stop opening the compartment with the light trap door open, but it is broken on one. Then again, I only open it inside a changing bag. Also, the Watson loader counts actual exposures, some you count turns of the winding knob, and look up in a table to see how many exposures.</p>

<p>Years ago, when I first started loading from bulk film (after I inherited some from my grandfather when I was 10), I would put a camera inside the changing bag, wind off the appropriate number of exposures, cut the film, tape to the spool, then rewind. It was a little slower than a real daylight loader, but then I didn't have one of those. </p>

<p>In college years, when I had access to a real darkroom, I would tape on end on the door, cut the film a known distance (tape on the door) down, then tape to the spool, wind, and put in the cartridge. Usually worked pretty well. I also did this for a lab that I was a TA for, using TP 2415.</p>

I really like the Alden loaders. You can usually pick one up inexpensively.

I have a Watson bulk loader that I bought off the Good Will auction for $7.00 and I like it. It works great and it came with

some metal casettes and instructions.

<p>More fun are loaders that come with film inside, though you don't know if the film is any good.<br>

First develop some and hope it has the name on the side.</p>

<p>And there is a lot of bulk film sold on popular auction sites.</p>

<p>Yep. I once got a loader with 1/2 a roll of Kodak Technical Pan in it. In fact I just rolled up the last bit a few weeks ago. It was fine and maybe 30 years old.</p>

<p>I had a roll of TP about 30 years ago. I wonder if I still have it. I now have a newer one, so haven't looked for that one. Panatomic-X lasts at least 30 years, though, so I might expect TP to last, too.</p>

<p>I now have a Watson loader from Goodwill, film included, but haven't tried the film yet.</p>