Do you "roll your own"?

Toffle · Jan 29, 2011

I have a brass, Nikon branded film cassette, with a locking mechanism that is activated by a knob on the side of the Watson bulk loader. (I found these in boxes from two different darkroom hauls) Is this a better choice than the disposable bulk cassetes? One other question... am I missing a part, or is there some sort of template for cutting loading tabs, or do bulk-load guys just shape their tabs by look and feel? (ok, that's three questions) In any case, if I'm doing this by eye, I'm likely to waste a lot of film. If I decide to take the plunge into bulk, I can simply take a leader out of my trash bin and make a template out of some mat board.

MattKing · Jan 29, 2011

On my new to me Canon EOS 3000, it isn't necessary to cut a loading tab.

For my Olympus OM bodies, I need to.

So I'd suggest checking your cameras before you decide on how the tabs should be cut.

Aurum · Jan 29, 2011

wblynch said:
I only wish we could get unperforated 35mm in black and white.

Or, even better.... with 126 Instamatic perforations already punched!!

I know Ilford do special order LF sheet stuff, now wouldn't it be a peach if they knocked out a batch of 126 carts. Delta 100 for my preference, but FP4 would be my second choice......

I've collected loads of 126 cameras over the years - hell my first camera was a 126, a Kodak 56x to be precise. I use all the other cameras I can still feed, 35mm, 120, (even 620 with the help of a changing bag) as well as some box brownie time with 127, but the wee kodak just looks so lonely and unloved

Metroman · Jan 30, 2011

Roll my own here. Tri-X, Double-X, Orwo N74 Plus and Orwo UN 54.

frobozz · Jan 31, 2011

hpulley said:
Ultrafine has both. I buy unperfed for my 126 hand loads, they're a good deal: starting bid $23.95 a roll or $29.95 buy it now. The perfed is $49.95 buy it now, don't recall what the starting bid was.

Just noticed some other unperfed Portra 160 NC on ebay - search on SO-016. It's obviously been rerolled from larger spools or something, but it's not that far out of date, and if you buy a lot the price is right.

Duncan

hpulley · Feb 11, 2011

frobozz said:
Just noticed some other unperfed Portra 160 NC on ebay - search on SO-016. It's obviously been rerolled from larger spools or something, but it's not that far out of date, and if you buy a lot the price is right.

Duncan

I think this is the same stuff. The frame markings (only on one edge, perfect for 126!!!) says Kodak Gen 2 SO-016. It doesn't say Portra160NC on it anywhere aside from an inkjet printer generated sticker on the lid of the can saying that it is Kodak Gen 2 SO-016 which is really a pro portrait lab version of Portra 160NC. All I can say is, the skin tones are wonderful on the film, great color rendition. As I said since there are only markings on one edge it is perfect for 126 as the perforation edge gets the frame markings and the unmarked edge means you get the whole 28x28mm image on film. Since there are no 126 pre-flashed frame markets it works well as my Instamatic cameras have a larger image square than the frame markers from Solaris 200 126. I never had that problem with KODAK SAFETY film back in the day.

semeuse · Feb 11, 2011

Right now I have a roll of Fomapan 400 in a Watson (usually loaded with Efke 50 - but I've been using the Adox CHS recently) and have an Alden loaded with Ektachrome Duplicating film that's probably out of date by 10 or more years. I also roll my own for 127 and 116 - usually by cutting down sheet film. It's fun to be able to pull out some old format cameras once in a while.

cmo · Feb 14, 2011

Metroman said:
Roll my own here. Tri-X, Double-X, Orwo N74 Plus and Orwo UN 54.

Long ago I had a high-quality plastic film loader, a genuine "ACME El-Cheapo" and rolled my own film, but bulk rolls became so expensive that I stopped it.

Now I will do that again, using cheap Orwo movie film, but it's more out of curiosity and because the season for street photography begins. In the USA there are obviously many people who use dirt-cheap Kodak 5222 Double-X film.

Today, I have four Leica cartridges, two that fit many Leica M cameras and two that fit screwmount Leicas. They are better than the cheap empty plastic or metal cartridges you get today because they have no felt gasket and don't scratch the film.

FRANOL · Feb 20, 2011

Roll my own, Drum and Efke Ortho.

gordrob · Feb 20, 2011

I bulk load both Tri X and Tmax 100 with a Watson loader as well as longer 100 frame loads for my Canon 100 frame back with a bigger loader designed for long rolls.

Gord

Do you "roll your own"?

Moderator

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency