Best adhesive tape for bulk loading?

pbromaghin · May 2, 2018

While on vacation last week, a bulk-rolled 35mm film detatched from the reel as I started to rewind it. Luckily I had brought another body and was able to start shooting a couple hours later, but that camera was done for the week. It could have been poor work on my part, or it could have been the cheap masking tape.

Does anybody have any advice on what kind of tape to use? Tips on technique?

Fritzthecat · May 2, 2018

I used to use blue painters tape when I loaded 35mm. It bites pretty good and is reusable. I cut a two inch strip and caught both sides of the film.

summicron1 · May 2, 2018

been using standard frosted scotch tape for the last 50 years with no issues -- I put it all the way around the spool so it grips the film on both sides so there's no problem with the film pulling the tape off the spool if you advance the film too far.

Anon Ymous · May 2, 2018

I've used electrician's tape and paper tape, never had a problem, but I'm always generous.

awty · May 2, 2018

I haven't had that problem YET (seems like I have done just about everything else wrong at one stage or another), but some masking tapes dont stick to well especially if the surface is a little bit greasy, cold or damp. Usually I rip of a bit of cloth tape and it sticks to anything, can reuse same piece many times.

Patrick Robert James · May 2, 2018

I use old cartridges from the minillab. I put scotch tape all the way around the little leader that is left out. Fastest way to do it in my opinion. Never had one fail.

sepiareverb · May 2, 2018

Blue painters tape or artists tape here. Both reusable but I don’t reuse it.

gorbas · May 2, 2018

summicron1 said:
been using standard frosted scotch tape for the last 50 years with no issues

Me too for the last 40 years and recently on my big load - around 60 cassettes using Scotch Magic tape #810. While loading them on reels for development I noticed that tape is too easily tearing apart, across. No issues winding and rewinding the film in the camera but it was OUCH filing. Looking for replacement tape now too

fdonadio · May 2, 2018

I use 3M Micropore tape and it works very well.

Thorpelyon · May 2, 2018

I’ve found the non-frosted, non-invisible regular old fashioned Scotch tape to have the strongest grip and holding power.

Neal · May 2, 2018

I use 3M Magic Tape.

Wallendo · May 2, 2018

I use Scotch masking tape. It is great for bulk loading film, labelling cassettes, and holding things together..

Also, when shooting bulk film away from home, I almost always take a changing bag with me for emergencies like that of the OP.

Kawaiithulhu · May 2, 2018

Fritzthecat said:
two inch strip and caught both sides of the film

Ditto! I always make sure the tape wraps around the spool and hangs onto both sides of the film end, never had a problem no matter what tape it was. I won't use electrical tape because it has left gunk behind and I prefer to just avoid that sticky situation.

jim appleyard · May 3, 2018

Masking tape, but use the good stuff, 3M, Baer, etc. The cheap stuff is awful and may pull off inside the camera.

Ko.Fe. · May 3, 2018

I'm using masking tape since I started in 2012. It only gives me problem if I cut it too short.

mshchem · May 3, 2018

Patrick Robert James said:
I use old cartridges from the minillab. I put scotch tape all the way around the little leader that is left out. Fastest way to do it in my opinion. Never had one fail.

Genius!

Wallendo · May 3, 2018

Masking tape, at least in the US, can describe two different products.

One is wide tape generally used by painters for masking out areas that shouldn't be painted. These tapes have very weak adhesive and probably aren't useful for film purposes. These are often colored blue.
The other type is now often referred to as "packing tape" and is generally brown (although other colors are available). The term"packing tape can also be used for multiple other products as well.
It is easy to tell which type is good for photography when looking at the products in a store, but can be a little tricky when purchasing online.

Frank53 · May 3, 2018

Duct tape.
Regards,
Frank

nimajneb · May 3, 2018

I use cheap masking tape that I already had. I had it fail only twice so far. Kind of sucks. I find that it's more dependent how I tape it, not necessarily the tape. I don't put on actually.

guangong · May 3, 2018

One more vote for artist tape, sticks better and thinner than masking/drafting tape.

Shoom · May 3, 2018

I use 1-inch wide white gaffer tape. The adhesive is super strong but it peels off without any residue. As long as the tape is fully looped around the spool and attached to both sides of the film, you'll never have to worry about the it failing. I've managed to strip my sprocket holes by accident with that stuff
Another benefit is that it seems to be waterproof, so I can use it to label my bottles for color chemicals.

Steve Roberts · May 3, 2018

fdonadio said:
I use 3M Micropore tape and it works very well.

+1 I wrap around both sides of the film.

pbromaghin · May 3, 2018

I do think I was sloppy with the tape when I attached some rolls for this trip. I also haven't really trusted the off-brand masking tape I have. Thanks to all of you for the great suggestions.

Fujicaman1957 · May 4, 2018

3/4 medical tape

Pentode · May 4, 2018

Thorpelyon said:
I’ve found the non-frosted, non-invisible regular old fashioned Scotch tape to have the strongest grip and holding power.

This is what I use, too. I wrap all the way around, like others have stated and it holds really well without having any appreciable thickness.

If I’m reusing factory cassettes I use the same tape but I just stick a one-inch piece on each side to attach it to the old leader.

Best adhesive tape for bulk loading?

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