Bulk loading for beginner

Sirius Glass · Nov 21, 2017

Gerald C Koch said:
Sorry I wasn't clear. What I meant was not to put tape on the ends of the cassette not to fix the end of the film to the spool.

Good then we are in violent agreement.

rrusso · Nov 21, 2017

I use both masking and Scotch tape and have had no problems with either, but I prefer masking because it's a bit easier to get off.

And since I'm not always good at cutting square, I use two pieces of tape, one on each side. I put one piece on the base side with about 1" on the film and about 1/2" hanging over. I slide the spool down the film and then "roll" the spool onto the tape. Repeat for the other side. The pieces of tape overlap, the film is centered on the spool, and it's secure.

AgX · Nov 21, 2017

Gerald C Koch said:
What I meant was not to put tape on the ends of the cassette not to fix the end of the film to the spool. Tape on the OUTSIDE of the cassette can get caught in the gears.

I do not understand. How can tape used on a cassette to secure the cap (if one finds that necessary) get into the transport mechanism? I know by some here I'm considered doomsday man, but even with automatic rewind in mind my imagination falls short of such.

Ko.Fe. · Nov 21, 2017

What do you mean under "still"? I started with film for real in 2012 and it was no brainier to switch to bulks in no time. Five years later it is the same.
I'm using dirt cheap films to load my re-usable cassettes and check if camera I fixed is actually still working.
Do you think I need five backs per individual roll of film for it?

Seriously, where I'm bw film is next to none exists and I have to order it on-line. And shipping in bulk makes sense. Isn't it?

Anyway, the good bulk loader is the one which has short distance from film container opening to where the cassette spool spins. It should have working frame counter. And to make this good bulk loader even better, I super glue welt from single use film cassette to the edges where it goes from film container to the cassette area. Less scratches.
Masking tape is in use to hold spool and film. I use scissors for tape and film.

Mainecoonmaniac · Nov 21, 2017

I haven't bulk loaded in years. I've loaded hundreds of feet of film into cartridges. One suggestion is to keep your cartridges clean because grit in your felt light traps will cause scratches on the length of your negatives. You'll always lose a couple of exposures at the spool end from fogging because you have to tape your spool in light. My final suggestion is only open the door with the lever with a Watson bulk loader. I've fogged a bulk roll by not using the lever.

Mick Fagan · Nov 21, 2017

trendland said:
You are right - because I own the same ...... !
But we will not forgetting to say : It is to 30,5 meter bulk film - I remember it may be there are altogether 45m possible - perhaps I should have a short look to mine ?

with regards

Good pick-up. I have been referring to 30m almost forever, because when Australia converted to metric 50 years ago, one of the quick conversions that has stuck in my tiny brain ever since, was, 100' = 30m. Bulk rolls of 135 film were, up until then, referred to as 100' of film; yes I know there are smaller rolls, but I don't ever remember anyone I knew rolling their own, purchasing smaller bulk film.
Mick.

trendland · Nov 22, 2017

Mick Fagan said:
Good pick-up. I have been referring to 30m almost forever, because when Australia converted to metric 50 years ago, one of the quick conversions that has stuck in my tiny brain ever since, was, 100' = 30m. Bulk rolls of 135 film were, up until then, referred to as 100' of film; yes I know there are smaller rolls, but I don't ever remember anyone I knew rolling their own, purchasing smaller bulk film.
Mick.

Yes what I meant is : Does 45m bulk rolls not also fit in ?
with regards

Mick Fagan · Nov 22, 2017

trendland said:
Yes what I meant is : Does 45m bulk rolls not also fit in ?
with regards

I doubt it, there is not too much room left once you have the 30.5m roll in. I must admit though, I have never seen just how much space there is as I have never turned the lights on to see.

Mick.

trendland · Nov 23, 2017

Mick Fagan said:
I doubt it, there is not too much room left once you have the 30.5m roll in. I must admit though, I have never seen just how much space there is as I have never turned the lights on to see.

Mick.

Yeah - better to don't look in ....

with regards

PS : 45m isn't so much bigger as one would imagine.

Bulk loading for beginner

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