Bulk film loaders and old film??

Larry the sailor · Sep 28, 2016

In the big lot of darkroom gear I picked up a couple weeks ago was included a couple of Watson 100 bulk film loaders and reusable cartridges.
Not sure if it's worth messing with for me or not yet.
Operation of thing looks pretty straightforward and I found the instructions on the Butkus site so all good there.
Just curious about what the benefit of these things are other than cost? Hey, a couple of bucks a roll is a couple of bucks to spend on something else.

The unit loaded with what I think is B&W film only had the somewhat cryptic label of "ORTHO" hand written on a piece of tape. Not sure of the age but likely as much as 20 years in non-temperature controlled storage.

Jim Jones · Sep 28, 2016

You can snip off a bit of unexposed film and develop it in whatever developer is handy to perhaps identify it by its edge marking. Don't expect much. When I was shoot lots of film a few decades ago, reloading bulk film was worth while. As I recall, the Watson may have a felt light trap that must be kept clean or film may get scratched.

MattKing · Sep 28, 2016

The biggest advantage from my point of view is the ability to choose exactly how many shots to load on each roll.

Followed by the fact that each bulk load roll is very compact - takes very little space in the freezer or on the shelf.

Even in a bulk loader, they are compact.

darkroommike · Sep 29, 2016

Is the emulsion side pink and purple from the base side? If so your "ortho" is most likely Kodalith Ortho, Type 3.

John Koehrer · Sep 29, 2016

Watson's use the film loading cover as a light trap Gotta be opened or else Nice scratches.

Jim Jones · Sep 29, 2016

John, you're right. It's been too many decades since I used any Watson loader.

philipus · Oct 18, 2016

I use an Alden to bulk load Eastman Double-X which is considerably cheaper than for instance Tri-X and in my view a better film too. And, at least here in Europe, bulk rolls of various Ilford and Rollei films are often cheaper 36-roll for (approx.) 36-roll. So, yes, it pays of. And it's not a big hassle, I find, to bulk load either. In the beginning I tended to load up a 20 rolls at a time to have them around but these days I just load a few whenever I need. All this to say that I find bulk loaders worth it.

RichardJack · Oct 18, 2016

Hi,
I own Watson and Lloyd loaders and I like the simple Lloyd better. It is easy to forget with the Watson and scratch your film. The price of bulk film has tripled in the last 10 years, but I still prefer the option of controlling the number of exposures on my rolls.
Like many things in photography it's a matter of personal preference.
Rick

Agulliver · Oct 18, 2016

I have three bulk loaders, all bought used. I have a Watson 100, a Prinz 66 (copy of Watson 100) and a "The Daylight" which is similar to the Lloyd loader. They all work well, and I tend to keep one with a nice 100ISO film (currently Fomapan 100), one with a fast film (Currently Ilford HP5+) and the third with 'something else' (currently Kentmere 400).

Advantages? Well here in the UK I can cut the cost of each film in half. I can also decide to load a full 36 (or more) exposures or make a cassette with just 10. Total flexibility on how many exposures are in the 135 cassette. Due to the decreased cost, it allows me to shoot a LOT more film.

The Lloyd type bulk loaders are easier to use, but I find nothing wrong with the Watsons. I've never forgotten to twist the light trap open. To be honest, both designs work fine, and can sometimes be had for peanuts if you are prepared to bide your time on the online auctions.

ac12 · Oct 19, 2016

I've used the Watson for years, and never forgot to rotate the drum to open the light trap.
Just make it part of your loading procedure/check list, along with zeroing the frame counter.

The only negative I have with the Watson is the last frame will be lost, because of the longer distance between the trap and the cartridge. This is because the film has to go over the sprockets for the frame counter mechanism.
The Lloyd has the cartridge right next to the felt trap so the last frame isn't lost. You just have to count turns of the handle and match up against a chart of x turns = y frames.

I used the Watson 100, my brother used the Lloyds.

Harry Stevens · Oct 19, 2016

I join my film canister in my Watson's near to the entrance and then it goes in the changing bag for completion so no last frame loss.

Bulk film loaders and old film??

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