Best Bulk Loader?

moltogordo · Sep 6, 2014

Just broke some innerds on my old Watson. It's about 35 years old, and I guess I'll have to replace it as I've got 3 or 4 bulk films in the freezer and have ordered one more.

I could replace it with another Watson, but I also see the Arista and a few others available. Any thoughts or recommendations?

snapguy · Sep 6, 2014

Quick, Watson, I need you. Or, why not go with what you are used to? Some of them have a high learning curve. If you had the plain old Watson I am thinking about (I have one) it is real easy to use if perhaps not as fancy as some.

moltogordo · Sep 6, 2014

Thanks, snapguy, you're probably right.

It's actually not terminal . . . it was just the lock lever so I can still use it. But I'll buy another one anyway - keep different films in the different loaders. I'm pretty sure I have one more somewhere but my basement is a disaster.

Newt_on_Swings · Sep 6, 2014

Alden 74, it has nice thick plastic and a good heft to it. I use three of them. I've used a few other brands in the past, they are all pretty similar but I enjoy using the Alden most.

moltogordo · Sep 6, 2014

I had a bakelite Alden way back when - I liked it, too . . . . They're all similar. But it's been so long ago that I don't remember the subtle differences. I do know the only ones I've had are the Watson and the Alden. I'm sure that Alden is around somewhere in my basement, but movies could be made there.

alanrockwood · Sep 7, 2014

I have tried Watson, Alden, and Lloyd. I like Lloyd best, but there is a risk of scratching the film on the felt light trap if it is not kept clean. Sticky tape can be used to clean the light trap.

Second place is Alden.

moltogordo · Sep 11, 2014

I'll find my Alden one day - I know it's down there. A friend who no longer develops just gave me his mint Watson, so it looks like I'm all set to go now. Thanks for your replies.

EdSawyer · Sep 11, 2014

I like the Aldens also, have at least 4 or 5 of them. The bakelite versions are great, super hefty. ;-)

removed account4 · Sep 11, 2014

lloyd, had one fora longtime
neverlet me down.

LeonardT · Sep 17, 2014

I've been using The DAYLIGHT bulk film loader, now branded as LLOYD'S, for many years. I have 3 of them and have always been happy.

Len

Terry Christian · Sep 17, 2014

I have a Lloyd and two Watson types, and I like the Lloyd far, far better.

kilgore72 · Sep 18, 2014

I am using a Lloyd too, its a good one to use.

fotch · Sep 18, 2014

I have used several brands over the years and like the ones that that have a wide open light trap so no scratching can occur. I use Watson now.

analoguey · Sep 18, 2014

Hows a lloyd diff from a Watson?

Sent from Tap-a-talk

fotch · Sep 18, 2014

analoguey said:
Hows a lloyd diff from a Watson?

Sent from Tap-a-talk

The Lloyds models use a felt light trap.
From the instructions:
"Insert the leading end 0f the film from the top until it
passes freely between the felt light-seal of the loader.

fotch · Sep 18, 2014

If you have a dark room, perhaps the best way is no loader.

Load 5 feet of film onto 35mm spool, insert into cassette, close end. No waste of film, no felt trap to go through in loading. Requires discipline so you don't turn on lights while film is not protected, and be able work in the dark throughout the process.

erikg · Sep 18, 2014

fotch said:
If you have a dark room, perhaps the best way is no loader.

Load 5 feet of film onto 35mm spool, insert into cassette, close end. No waste of film, no felt trap to go through in loading. Requires discipline so you don't turn on lights while film is not protected, and be able work in the dark throughout the process.

+1 I just roll directly from the bulk roll to cassette spools. But you do have to have a fully dark darkroom.

fotch · Sep 18, 2014

erikg said:
+1 I just roll directly from the bulk roll to cassette spools. But you do have to have a fully dark darkroom.

I never did it this way so I have a question. Do you reload the whole roll or just a roll or two as you need it?

DannL. · Sep 18, 2014

Like many of the other famous and outstanding photographers on the forum, I also used the Watson 100 for bulk loading 35mm film. The experience was simply delightful, with no difficulties to report.

erikg · Sep 18, 2014

fotch said:
I never did it this way so I have a question. Do you reload the whole roll or just a roll or two as you need it?

Usually 6-8 at a time, sometimes just 1 or 2. Sometimes I'll roll some short for tests. Then back into the can.

cliveh · Sep 18, 2014

I think the HCB method takes some beating to load from bulk:-

Dead Link Removed

If you can't be bothered to read it all, scroll about half way down.

narsuitus · Sep 18, 2014

I have used the Lloyd bulk film loader and I have used the Burke & James Watson model 100 bulk film loader. Both have advantages and disadvantages.

Lloyd pros:
Smaller size than Watson
Does not wastes film by producing a long leader
Does not waste film by producing a long trailer
Harder to accidentally expose 100-feet of film

Lloyd cons:
No frame counter; must count winder rotations for frame count
Uses felt for light trap; felt may trap particles that scratch film
Cannot load Nikon AM-1 film cassettes for Nikon F2 camera

Watson pros:
Has frame counter
Does not use felt for light trap; therefore, film is less susceptible to scratching
Can load Nikon AM-1 film cassettes for Nikon F2 camera

Watson cons:
Larger size than Lloyd
Wastes film by producing a long leader
Wastes film by producing a long trailer
Easier to accidentally expose 100-feet of film (I have done this once)

https://flic.kr/p/agmhdy

analoguey · Sep 18, 2014

I have the Watson loader (B model, I think).
It has a twin safeguard system against exposing the whole roll - or are you referring to a different model?

cliveh said:
I think the HCB method takes some beating to load from bulk:-

Dead Link Removed

If you can't be bothered to read it all, scroll about half way down.

That is a great read, thanks! I wonder if labs can process it like that, if given film rolled like that, now? 100ft of film?

erikg · Sep 19, 2014

cliveh said:
I think the HCB method takes some beating to load from bulk:-

Dead Link Removed

If you can't be bothered to read it all, scroll about half way down.

Thank you for sharing this, really enjoyed the account.

erikg · Sep 19, 2014

Anybody ever use one of these?:

http://www.freestylephoto.biz/27326-Arista-35mm-Bulk-Film-Loader-Bobinquick-Junior

Best Bulk Loader?

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