120/220mm bulk film loader?

Schunn99 · Mar 24, 2007

hey all,
I know there are 35mm bulk film loaders, Is there a such a thing as a 120/220mm bulk film loader? If so can someone give me a link to where to buy? and where to buy bulk film?

thanks,
Scott Hunnicutt
college level photo student

Sparky · Mar 25, 2007

Yes - I believe it's called an Alden 70... for bulk loading 70mm film. You have to have cassettes and the right back to shoot it on, however - and many emulsions are getting very very scarce.

WRSchmalfuss · Mar 25, 2007

70mm film?

Sparky said:
Yes - I believe it's called an Alden 70... for bulk loading 70mm film. You have to have cassettes and the right back to shoot it on, however - and many emulsions are getting very very scarce.

There is a ROLLEI IR / AERO available, double perforated, 70mm x 30.5 meters, which can be exposed just regular, as an normal B&W film with ISO 200. Excellent tonality, very fine grain, solution approx. 150 Lp/mm, available through FREESTYLE L.A. Processing service through Dr5 in the USA.

Mike Wilde · Mar 25, 2007

Cut down 70mm?

I have been saving the rolls and backing paper for the day when things get really scarce. I have anticipated that aero imagery film will still exist in that future day, and the idea was to cut down the film to fit the respooling effort. If I can still get 70mm then, great, but I too would be concerned on that one.

I have bulk loaded 35mm in the dark many years ago as a student with no funds for the bulk daylight loader. Cotton gloves, a smooth long desk, and a good vaccuuming with a central vac made the resulting loads perfectly acceptable. It is a pain, but it can be done.

Nick Zentena · Mar 25, 2007

Unless you are very lucky a 70mm bulk loader can cost more then a basic 120 camera. I've no idea who is paying $200+ for these things but people do.

fschifano · Mar 25, 2007

A 70mm bulk loader is one thing, and it's fine, I'm sure, for loading 70mm film into a cassette. If you have a back for your camera that accepts this and you can find a source of 70mm film in the emulsion you want, then you are good to go. But the OP wanted to know about bulk loaders for 120/220 film, and that, I'm afraid, does not exist. Where would one source the required paper backing for 120, or paper leaders for 220? Then there's the problem of taping the film to the paper. A difficult thing to do in the dark I'll bet.

John Shriver · Mar 26, 2007

I've loaded 616 backing paper with 70mm unperforated paper in a changing bag. Not hard. I put a crease in where to start rolling it, roll it up, and then add tape at the starting end.

Problem for 120 is sourcing the film in the correct width. Just not made in long rolls.

Problem with 220 would be getting everything lined up -- hopeless.

Sparky · Apr 2, 2007

fschifano said:
A 70mm bulk loader is one thing, and it's fine, I'm sure, for loading 70mm film into a cassette. If you have a back for your camera that accepts this and you can find a source of 70mm film in the emulsion you want, then you are good to go. But the OP wanted to know about bulk loaders for 120/220 film, and that, I'm afraid, does not exist. Where would one source the required paper backing for 120, or paper leaders for 220? Then there's the problem of taping the film to the paper. A difficult thing to do in the dark I'll bet.

I mentioned the 70mm thing because that's what the photo industry came up with as a medium format equivalent for 35mm film loading technology. The frame size, etc... is IDENTICAL to 120 on nearly all medium format cameras. The only difference is the storage medium. Clearly - 120 is not bulk-loadable due to the paper, etc... nobody sells that exact film in bulk rolls. So - I was just trying to find the closest thing. You can get 70mm in nearly ANY classic emulsion you want. You just have to look for it. I've done so and have been able to, within, the last year, stock up on significant quantities of HP5, Portra 160, Tech Pan, Plus-X and Color IR in 70mm format. Maybe you won't find it at your local Photo store... but it's definitely out there.

gordrob · Apr 3, 2007

Here is some current film up for auction for the 70mm loader

http://cgi.ebay.ca/Kodak-Portra-70mm-films_W0QQitemZ110108866672QQcategoryZ4204QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Regards
Gord

120/220mm bulk film loader?

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency