400ft Roll Re-spooling

silvergelatin · Mar 19, 2024

I shot a Reflx Lab roll of Double X and fell in love with it, but it appears to only be available in 400ft rolls, or very marked up rebrands. I know that some US retailers decant to 100ft rolls for sale, but I'm in Japan, so I'm concerned about x-rays, shipping, duties, etc. Reflx Lab makes a simple re-spooling device, but since I've never used a 400ft roll before, can someone tell me how easy/difficult it is to transfer the big roll out of the can? Is there some sort of support surface on the bottom, or is there a risk of the whole thing getting unraveled?

btaylor · Mar 19, 2024

It’s movie film, so it’s tightly wound on a 2” plastic core.

silvergelatin · Mar 19, 2024

btaylor said:
It’s movie film, so it’s tightly wound on a 2” plastic core.

Tightly enough to not come undone when you pick it up?

koraks · Mar 19, 2024

silvergelatin said:
Tightly enough to not come undone when you pick it up?

No. You need to support it, and you need to continue to do so while respooling to shorter lengths. I made a simple setup with some 3d printed parts and a couple of store-bought bearings to do this:

The large wheel takes the 400ft roll. The smaller one on the left acts as the take-up spool.

silvergelatin · Mar 19, 2024

koraks said:
No. You need to support it, and you need to continue to do so while respooling to shorter lengths. I made a simple setup with some 3d printed parts and a couple of store-bought bearings to do this:

The large wheel takes the 400ft roll. The smaller one on the left acts as the take-up spool.

I'm looking at this similar gizmo: https://reflxlab.com/products/pre-order-reflx-lab-100fter-400ft-100ft-free-shipping

It's relatively cheap and looks like it will get the job done. I just want to make sure transferring the spool to the gizmo will result in a pile of unraveled film . It's expensive stuff.

koraks · Mar 19, 2024

You can transfer the 400ft roll from its original packaging to some kind of spindle arrangement; it's wound tightly enough to not explode in your face as long as you support it with your hand. Also, with your other hand, find the end of the roll on the outside and keep it there so that the other layer doesn't unroll and snag on something, which could get you into trouble.

It's really no difference than handling a regular 100ft roll, just a bigger wheel.

Don_ih · Mar 19, 2024

I had a 400 foot roll of PlusX that I only ever pulled strips off to load into cassettes by hand. It never fell apart. These rolls aren't so big to be unmanageable and they feel pretty solid. Just don't drop it.

silvergelatin · Mar 19, 2024

koraks said:
You can transfer the 400ft roll from its original packaging to some kind of spindle arrangement; it's wound tightly enough to not explode in your face as long as you support it with your hand. Also, with your other hand, find the end of the roll on the outside and keep it there so that the other layer doesn't unroll and snag on something, which could get you into trouble.

It's really no difference than handling a regular 100ft roll, just a bigger wheel.

Don_ih said:
I had a 400 foot roll of PlusX that I only ever pulled strips off to load into cassettes by hand. It never fell apart. These rolls aren't so big to be unmanageable and they feel pretty solid. Just don't drop it.

Thanks, everyone. This will all be done on a table in a dark bag, so not likely to drop it .

pentaxuser · Mar 19, 2024

silvergelatin said:
I'm looking at this similar gizmo: https://reflxlab.com/products/pre-order-reflx-lab-100fter-400ft-100ft-free-shipping

It's relatively cheap and looks like it will get the job done. I just want to make sure transferring the spool to the gizmo will result in a pile of unraveled film . It's expensive stuff.

This looks like a genuinely "honest" video explaining exactly what it does and how it does it, as well as giving you the manual option and its drawbacks. Unless the auto-winder that stops at 100ft is ridiculously expensive then this seems the way to go to me

pentaxuser

Saganich · Mar 19, 2024

This spooler looks perfect. Not a bad price for either option. The electronic version would be the way to go. Estimating length and keeping film tamped down while spooling can more difficult than would seem in theory. I would probably clamp it down though.

Radost · Mar 19, 2024

I purchased this and will never look back. I bulk roll all my vision 3 cassettes so I can freeze them and put my 5222 XX back in for bulk roll as I go.
I know it is expansive but my time is more expansive.

400ft 135mm film bulkloader

* this bulk loader is made by order item, estimate deliver time is 30-45 days after order.compatible with 100/400 ft of film, with our bulk loader, can load bulk film into 35mm film cassette at once.comes with teflon center film reel, compatible with 100/400 ft film reel.*400ft film can load...

www.rezivot.com

Saganich · Mar 19, 2024

Yea, I looked at that and decided it was too pricy for only shooting 300 to 400 feet per year... I ended up using a 1000' split reel and 35mm rewinders...Still cost about $100 to get those together. Would have jumped on the reflxlab auto if it even existed 2 years ago...hmmm, but looks like it's to small for a 1000' reel, would have to cut it in half and mount on wider base...probably burn out that motor. lol.

Radost · Mar 19, 2024

Saganich said:
Yea, I looked at that and decided it was too pricy for only shooting 300 to 400 feet per year... I ended up using a 1000' split reel and 35mm rewinders...Still cost about $100 to get those together. Would have jumped on the reflxlab auto if it even existed 2 years ago...hmmm, but looks like it's to small for a 1000' reel, would have to cut it in half and mount on wider base...probably burn out that motor. lol.

They have a thousand feet.

mshchem · Mar 19, 2024

I have a old US military surplus Nikor machine. I spool in my darkroom, I wind onto old 100 foot movie film spools. I can't imagine doing this in a bag. One slip and you may end up wild a big mess. I use my IR goggles too. I doubt I will ever need to buy Ektachrome again. Well maybe

mshchem · Mar 19, 2024

koraks said:
No. You need to support it, and you need to continue to do so while respooling to shorter lengths. I made a simple setup with some 3d printed parts and a couple of store-bought bearings to do this:

The large wheel takes the 400ft roll. The smaller one on the left acts as the take-up spool.

So do you use a 2 inch core on the take up?

Radost · Mar 19, 2024

mshchem said:
I have a old US military surplus Nikor machine. I spool in my darkroom, I wind onto old 100 foot movie film spools. I can't imagine doing this in a bag. One slip and you may end up wild a big mess. I use my IR goggles too. I doubt I will ever need to buy Ektachrome again. Well maybe

This is why this machine is so easy and worth it. Never a mess. Loads and unloads easy in a normal bag.

eli griggs · Mar 19, 2024

Make a simple large roll round smooth plate and spindle, mounted in the center, that can drop over the roll in its lower can have, then pick up the tool with one hand on the bottom, the spindle plate on the top with the other hand flat on it, so the can can be securely flipped over and centered on the plate by its center spindle.

You can of course, make a heavy duty large roll safe, like a large paper safe, with an addition blackout lid, to lay the large roll

A simple solution that will allow you to leave your roll ready to strip of lengths of film, as needed.

If you're concerned with the safe falling, add a strap of, Velcro secured at the bottom case Left side and a "D" ring to the Right side for the Velcro strap to slid through and the last length of the strap be pulled tight and pressed into the hook material secured on the top cover.

IMO.

Radost · Mar 19, 2024

eli griggs said:
Make a simple large roll round smooth plate and spindle, mounted in the center, that can drop over the roll in its lower can have, then pick up the tool with one hand on the bottom, the spindle plate on the top with the other hand flat on it, so the can can be securely flipped over and centered on the plate by its center spindle.

You can of course, make a heavy duty large roll safe, like a large paper safe, with an addition blackout lid, to lay the large roll

A simple solution that will allow you to leave your roll ready to strip of lengths of film, as needed.

If you're concerned with the safe falling, add a strap of, Velcro secured at the bottom case Left side and a "D" ring to the Right side for the Velcro strap to slid through and the last length of the strap be pulled tight and pressed into the hook material secured on the top cover.

IMO.

Simple??

Patrick Robert James · Mar 19, 2024

The first time I respooled a 400' roll many years ago I used a nail on a board in a darkbag and old 100' spools. It worked but it took forever..... I got smart later and picked up some movie film rewinders. If you have a dark room and some film rewinders you can respool a 400' roll in just a few minutes. It helps if you have old bulk load spools with sides. Winding onto a core could be problematic.

That Refix motorized thingy looks pretty slick but it is slow compared to a film winder. Then again if you only have cores that would be a nice way to go by the looks of it.

The bulk loader that takes the whole 400' would be nice, but unless my exchange rate was off, I'd rather buy a Leica.....

Radost · Mar 19, 2024

Patrick Robert James said:
The first time I respooled a 400' roll many years ago I used a nail on a board in a darkbag and old 100' spools. It worked but it took forever..... I got smart later and picked up some movie film rewinders. If you have a dark room and some film rewinders you can respool a 400' roll in just a few minutes. It helps if you have old bulk load spools with sides. Winding onto a core could be problematic.

That Refix motorized thingy looks pretty slick but it is slow compared to a film winder. Then again if you only have cores that would be a nice way to go by the looks of it.

The bulk loader that takes the whole 400' would be nice, but unless my exchange rate was off, I'd rather buy a Leica.....

As I said its more expansive for me to do it 4 times

mshchem · Mar 19, 2024

You'd have to shoot a crap load of film to justify a $900 bulk film loader I developed 19 rolls of C-41 for a friend a few weeks back, that was a lot of work and I have Jobo CPP3 etc. I have a 400' roll of Ektachrome and Double X, not really interested in the color negative stock so there's where I am.
Back in the day people just used a smooth plank and a couple pegs. Just don't let the film get away from you. Or buy a nifty $900 bulk film loader

Radost · Mar 19, 2024

mshchem said:
You'd have to shoot a crap load of film to justify a $900 bulk film loader I developed 19 rolls of C-41 for a friend a few weeks back, that was a lot of work and I have Jobo CPP3 etc. I have a 400' roll of Ektachrome and Double X, not really interested in the color negative stock so there's where I am.
Back in the day people just used a smooth plank and a couple pegs. Just don't let the film get away from you. Or buy a nifty $900 bulk film loader

I shoot enough . ECN-2 and 5222XX last long. I am set for next time nobody has 135 c41. We are all cocky now but when the shortage happened I did not care.
If people can by 5 leicas that 4 of them do the same thing I can buy a bulk loader that I keep loaded with 5222 and when I need VIsion3 I bulk roll a bunch.
I takes me around little more than 2 hours to bulk roll 72 rolls of 135.
And I can afford the money but not the time.
I have 2 more 100’ AP bobinquick loaded with HP5 and Adox CMSII.
I am all about convenience.

Not to mention this will last me for the next I hope 40 years!!

silvergelatin · Mar 20, 2024

Radost said:
I shoot enough . ECN-2 and 5222XX last long. I am set for next time nobody has 135 c41. We are all cocky now but when the shortage happened I did not care.
If people can by 5 leicas that 4 of them do the same thing I can buy a bulk loader that I keep loaded with 5222 and when I need VIsion3 I bulk roll a bunch.
I takes me around little more than 2 hours to bulk roll 72 rolls of 135.
And I can afford the money but not the time.
I have 2 more 100’ AP bobinquick loaded with HP5 and Adox CMSII.
I am all about convenience.

Not to mention this will last me for the next I hope 40 years!!

As a person with multiple Leicas, I can appreciate this logic . I ordered the Reflex winder thing today, as well as a reel of 5222. We’ll see how it goes. If it is too tedious (which I doubt), I can always buy the Reflex 400ft loader (~$600).

koraks · Mar 20, 2024

mshchem said:
So do you use a 2 inch core on the take up?

Yeah

mshchem · Mar 20, 2024

koraks said:
Yeah
View attachment 366017

Looks like a very nice setup

400ft Roll Re-spooling

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