Bulk Film Questions

When I was a student I used to bulk load cine-FP4 in the attic, using a stick with two nails to get the distance right without even a table. If you have a darkroom then there is absolutely no need for a bulk-loader, especially as they expose the end of the film which might ruin the last shot for you, and the length measurement is imprecise.

FujiLove said:

Does anyone know if it's possible to still buy Double X (5222) in bulk in the UK? I've looked high and low for it here, but can't find any short ends or whole rolls for a reasonable price.

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Should be able to order 400' straight from Kodak. It's that easy in the US.

Duncan

In Canada I find ordering 2 (30.5 M) rolls or more to get the most out of very expensive shipping costs. Freestyle is the great for shipping but B&H is freeshipping but need to order +$100 USD ($133 CDN). Which another reason to be very careful in what I order. Locally the price for single 24 exp roll can get to $10 at least. Oh yes and Loyds is one of the better rollers but make sure the crank is inside when your not using it.

If I were to pick something at this point it'd be Rollei Retro 80s.

I've had success taping short developed ends to the inner spool to save on wasted frames, and transfer the bulk loader into my changing back to save a couple on the initial end.

Probably not necessary but it's not much of a headache once you get used to the process and does add up, albeit slowly. Nice thought, anyway, when shooting discontinued stock.

I recently bought a roll of HP5+ as it ended up cheaper than the easily obtainable prices but about the same as the good prices my local store had for a while. First time so we'll see how I go.

I'm currently shooting HP5 bulk & am pleased w/ the results. I've used Watson loaders, one Lloyd's, several Aldens. I've liked the Aldens best so far.

In the 80s, I don't recall the film brand/model, but was shooting color slides for .018/shot. Now, its about .098, but w/ BW only.

Anyone needs a loader, I have a few - would send one for price of postage only.

Anyone hears of deals on 120, pls. don't keep it a secret.

FujiLove said:

Does anyone know if it's possible to still buy Double X (5222) in bulk in the UK? I've looked high and low for it here, but can't find any short ends or whole rolls for a reasonable price.

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Film Photography Project offers Double XX in bulk.
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Ricardo Miranda said:

That is your experience in your country.
Mine in the UK is quite different

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Are you saying time's different by country? Once you start shooting in numbers, time spent on loading the film is significant enough - even when you've become efficient at it. I have gone through 70rolls so far in this season, but time to roll film is something I factor in.

When people say you can get it cheap, people don't account for cost of cartridges or time spent in loading, labeling them etc., (or getting more of them etc.,) - that gets more 'interesting' when you have >1 Film type and cartridges.

Don't discount the bit about having to cut the leader right for that particular camera - each has slightly different loading mechanism so if the leader you cut is off by a mm or two, loading film takes longer, can be frustrating.

Ricardo Miranda said:

I saw plenty of people using film cameras: a Bronica ETRS, one guy with a monster lens a tiny Canon EOS300, girl with Minolta X-700, another girl buying a Chinon SLR, etc.

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That's quite something!

Ricardo Miranda said:

Wayne
Go for it!
Try to get cassettes from a local lab.
Another option is to try to find some 1970s, 80s Ilford cassettes or new Lucky SHD100 cassettes as they are reusable.

Enjoy it!

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Indeed. Local Lab works.
In my exp, found Fuji cassettes easiest to reuse (barring the superia) - the cassette sealing holds well and re/un/loading is smooth.

I'm not saying bulk loading is bad, I use it often enough - but it's good to go into it with both eyes open - too often only 'Bulk loading is bestest, everyone should do it' is the only side of the viewpoint one gets.

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Athiril said:

If I were to pick something at this point it'd be Rollei Retro 80s.

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I have been wanting to try it, but haven't ordered it yet - is it something like gp3 ? Or what is its USP?

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analoguey said:

I have been wanting to try it, but haven't ordered it yet - is it something like gp3 ? Or what is its USP?

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Not like GP3.

It's ridiculously fine grain whether you develop it in Rodinal or Xtol, it like moving up a format size. Finer than T-Max 100, seems to be about as sharp too.

Extended red sensitivity, much stronger response to a red filter, and can be used for IR with IR filter.

Tonality out of the box unfiltered is different to other films, probably because of the colour sensitivity, but I rather like it.

frobozz said:

Should be able to order 400' straight from Kodak. It's that easy in the US.

Duncan

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You would think so, but a) they don't seem interested in selling to the public, and b) the prices I've seen make it more expensive than just buying rolls of TriX.

kodak film in bulk costs a fortune in the UK.

Photo-gear said:

Film Photography Project offers Double XX in bulk.
Dead Link Removed

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Unfortunately when you add in postage to the UK plus import tax etc. it works out more expensive than buying cassettes of TriX.

analoguey said:

Are you saying time's different by country? Once you start shooting in numbers, time spent on loading the film is significant enough - even when you've become efficient at it. I have gone through 70rolls so far in this season, but time to roll film is something I factor in.

When people say you can get it cheap, people don't account for cost of cartridges or time spent in loading, labeling them etc., (or getting more of them etc.,) - that gets more 'interesting' when you have >1 Film type and cartridges.

Don't discount the bit about having to cut the leader right for that particular camera - each has slightly different loading mechanism so if the leader you cut is off by a mm or two, loading film takes longer, can be frustrating.

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I don't factor in time, because it is my hobby time and that has no price.
If I were to use factory loads, I would have to buy about 18 rolls every month.
Consider that Fomapan 400 is £3.23 per roll and £40.87 per bulk roll.
So I would spend £58.14 instead of £40.87. It is a saving of near £18 which can be spent with developer and fixer.

FujiLove said:

You would think so, but a) they don't seem interested in selling to the public, and b) the prices I've seen make it more expensive than just buying rolls of TriX.

kodak film in bulk costs a fortune in the UK.

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Yeap. Here are some cheaper options in the UK: http://www.processuk.net/FOMA_FILM/cat740598_2510309.aspx

XX is "made in USA" so in Europe due to the rate Euro US$ now 1:1,1 the film is more expensive (Eur. 270,00 for 122m/400ft was Eur. 210,00 a year ago). Alternative OrWo Filmotec in Germany UN54 or N74+ (up from Eur. 130,00 for 122m/400ft UN54). However some Dutch internet sellers are also offering Kodak 5222 Double-X film in 135-36 for Eur. 4,90 ; Eur. 4,25 for the new Fomapan Retro 320 Soft 135-36.

frobozz said:

Should be able to order 400' straight from Kodak. It's that easy in the US.

Duncan

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Eastman have distributors in UK rather than selling direct.

But there is also Orwo.

http://www.filmotec.de/?page_id=353&lang=en

Fixcinater said:

I've had success taping short developed ends to the inner spool to save on wasted frames, and transfer the bulk loader into my changing back to save a couple on the initial end.

Probably not necessary but it's not much of a headache once you get used to the process and does add up, albeit slowly. Nice thought, anyway, when shooting discontinued stock.

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Lots of people do that the loader is merely a light tight box with an Avery telling you what it contains!

If you get used cassettes from mini lab for free they come with short film sticking out and Dx codes...

FujiLove said:

You would think so, but a) they don't seem interested in selling to the public, and b) the prices I've seen make it more expensive than just buying rolls of TriX.

kodak film in bulk costs a fortune in the UK.

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You may be right, but Kodak makes it so ridiculously easy to order it in the US, I can't imagine why they'd make it so much harder in other places, since they're about the last people selling movie film in large quantities.

In the US, call 800-621-FILM (3456) and tell them you want to order part number 1737279 (400' of 35mm 5222) - they'll ask for billing and shipping details and charge you $257.88 plus shipping. You don't have to be "someone" or anything, just a credit card and an address is all they need.

In the UK these are the contact details:

Hemel Hempstead
Entertainment Imaging
Kodak Ltd.
Hemel One
Boundary Way
Hemel Hempstead HP2 7YU
Phone:+44 (0)870 8501904
Fax:+44 (0)870 8502418
EI-Order@Kodak.com

Someone in the UK just call them and try to order that part number and report back how it went.

Here is the listing of sales offices around the world:

http://motion.kodak.com/motion/About/Worldwide_Sales_Offices/index.htm

Here is the latest Motion Picture Products Catalog (with US Prices):

http://motion.kodak.com/motion/uplo...cts_Price_Catalog_US_Prices_April_2015_V4.pdf

Here is where to find the latest catalog, because they do update it every few months:

http://motion.kodak.com/motion/Products/Product_Information/index.htm

I love this film, and I think people are making it too hard on themselves to get it and use it. If you really don't think you'll use up 400' then chop off 100' and resell the rest on to the next APUG person who wants to try it. But I think once you try it you might just end up shooting that whole 400'!

Duncan

Oh, and my favorite cartridge to use for bulk loaded films are the clever little Shirley-Wellard mechanical marvels. They're a little bit of a pain to use, but you avoid the 3 passes through a felt light trap you get when using standard cartridges in a bulk loader. (And of course the FN-100 cassettes for my bulk back. Those also avoid any trips through felt light traps!)

Duncan

frobozz said:

In the UK these are the contact details:

Hemel Hempstead
Entertainment Imaging
Kodak Ltd.
Hemel One
Boundary Way
Hemel Hempstead HP2 7YU
Phone:+44 (0)870 8501904
Fax:+44 (0)870 8502418
EI-Order@Kodak.com

Someone in the UK just call them and try to order that part number and report back how it went.

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Quite funny - I didn't realise they are only 15 minutes up the road from me. I could go and collect

I'll give them a call in the morning and get a price.

frobozz said:

Here is the latest Motion Picture Products Catalog (with US Prices):

http://motion.kodak.com/motion/uplo...cts_Price_Catalog_US_Prices_April_2015_V4.pdf

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Thanks for these links. Based on today's exchange rate, and assuming 18 rolls per 100', 5222 works out at £2.39 a roll for me. I'll report back with the UK price tomorrow.

Think it was about 180£ per 400 foot last time I looked but I'd not buy Kodak on principal. It was a lot cheaper in fall of '13, Kodak are just milking it.

Kentmere is cheaper and better QA. But Harman are asset strippers now, only Foma for me.

The ecconomy of bulk is sill there, but proably not as good as it was...

Filmotec N74 is a quite acceptable film, the factory emphasises movie use, but it does work fine. The distributor in North America is a small business with a Web site at http://www.orwona.com/b-w-motion-picture-camera-films/ for those in the Us and Canada. He is showing the 400ft roll of N74 at under 200 plus shipping. Entertainment imaging is a separate operation for Kodak Still film and is still owned by Kodak themselves. 5222 is rated at 250 for Movie use, but prosibly can be shot a bit higher when developed to Still photography standards.

IF YOU CAN FIND ONE, an Alden 200 loader will take a 200ft load which is very handy when dealing with movie film. You only need to split the 400ft loads in half. Doing it all the time rewinds and a split reel are very handy. but that is at least a 100 dollar capital investment. Saving the 100ft spools that some bulk film comes on can be handy when respooling to fit a bulk loader, but some common loaders like the lloyd cant handle even a 100 ft spool. The last roll of N74 I bought I ran the film onto a 100ft spool which was mounted on a rewind between two 16mm 200ft spools, and spooled until the level was even with the 200ft spools. That left me with the other half of the film which is back in it's original can. and the overfull spool fit nicely in my alden.

I always make it a point to do the actually loading in the dark, and use the loader as a holder and counter to avoid the risk of the "fogged last shot" that some folks mention.

I buy rollei retro 80s and 400s/superpan 200 and have tried to use those as my films now, even while i work through what i have left of tmax 100 and 400 bulk rolls from when they where cveap ( I can still remember buying 10 bulk rolls of tmax 400 two years ago for $45 each. those were the days). both of the RR's are great films and in bulk they are actually, if they aren't they are close, to the cheapest options out there. yeh you gotta pay shipping from germany, but i usually buy 4-8 bulk rolls at a time so it works out to about $44 per roll. a great price for some great film. developed in beuitlers and you have some great negs to enlarge. I've done 16x20 prints and they are great.