Film Bulk Loading Question...

Ara Ghajanian · Aug 4, 2005

Hey gang,
After destroying 2 rolls of film, I've gotten the hang of my Watson bulk loader (maybe I should have read the instructions before proceeding). Anyways, I had a question about cutting the film leader. Is it really necessary to cut the film leader in the shape the manufacturers do or can I just leave it the way it is? Does it depend on types of cameras (I have a NIkon F3)? If it is necessary to cut it, what is the best shape to cut it in? Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Ara

clogz · Aug 4, 2005

Hello Ara,
It is best to cut the film leader (approximately) the way manufacturers do.
Good luck
Hans

RichSBV · Aug 4, 2005

Back in the old days, and occassionally now, we cut the leadersas:

Start about half the width of the film. Cut at an angle, straight, to about two inches from the end.

You don't need a curved cut. Just a small section that's about half the width of the film to go into the take-up. The stright cut is easily done with a scissor and leaves no jaggies that could tear.. You don't even have to cut back two inches. It's just not that critical...

David A. Goldfarb · Aug 4, 2005

Ditto what rich says. A straight cut at an angle is all you need. If the film loads properly, it works.

Remember the days when the leader was 3-4 inches and they cut back to the current 1-1.5 inches or so? Ahhh, the luxury...but it really didn't make a difference one way or the other, as far as loading the film was concerned.

Ole · Aug 4, 2005

Some cameras need the leaders to be cut - old Leicas are famous for needing a very precise special cut. Others are less finicky, and some ate perfectly happy with a straight cut across. It all depends on the camera.

Max Power · Aug 4, 2005

When I started to bulk load myself, I was wondering the same thing...I noticed that with my Minolta and Canonet, not cutting the leader made no difference, but with my FED 5, I had to.

So, I would say that it depends upon the camera. That said, all I do is cut off the end at an angle; no fancy cuts necessary.

Kent

Monophoto · Aug 4, 2005

Ara -

Tapering the leader will make it generally easier to load the film into your camera. The only thing I would observe is that whether you cut a curve leader or some kind of triangular taper, its a good idea to make sure that the cut is smooth.

As film moves through the camera, and particularly when you are at the "head end" of the roll, the process of advancing the film puts tension on the leader. If the cut is not smooth, it is possible that the film could tear. Not a good thing.

titrisol · Aug 4, 2005

Make a slant cut in the correct direction that Nikon cameras need.
Try to get at least 2 or 3 sprockets on the "long side"
Nikons are not very finicky about how you cut the leader

Ara Ghajanian said:
Hey gang,
After destroying 2 rolls of film, I've gotten the hang of my Watson bulk loader (maybe I should have read the instructions before proceeding). Anyways, I had a question about cutting the film leader. Is it really necessary to cut the film leader in the shape the manufacturers do or can I just leave it the way it is? Does it depend on types of cameras (I have a NIkon F3)? If it is necessary to cut it, what is the best shape to cut it in? Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Ara

Nick Zentena · Aug 4, 2005

Not all cameras need the cut leader. My Ricoh doesn't care.

Tach · Aug 4, 2005

Max Power said:
When I started to bulk load myself, I was wondering the same thing...I noticed that with my Minolta and Canonet, not cutting the leader made no difference, but with my FED 5, I had to.

Kent

Strange; my canonet will jam if I don't cut the leader resembling the store bought ones.

srs5694 · Aug 4, 2005

FWIW, if you're interested in spending money to get a neat-looking leader, try an eBay search for "Ablon." This is a little hinged blade for cutting film leaders. I don't own one myself, and I don't know much about their history, but I believe they were designed for cutting the long leaders needed by old Leicas (and their clones). They generally go for several tens of dollars, though. For that price, I'll use a pair of scissors, even for my old Zenit C that requires the long leader!

SchwinnParamount · Aug 4, 2005

titrisol said:
Make a slant cut in the correct direction that Nikon cameras need.
Try to get at least 2 or 3 sprockets on the "long side"
Nikons are not very finicky about how you cut the leader

What he said! I find that my Nikons want the long side to have the first perforation as far from the front edge of the film as possible. In other words, start your cut right on the edge of the perforation you are cutting off to give you that all important spacing before the first perforation of the leader. My EL-2, FT-3 and FE-2 all all finicky about it

Film Bulk Loading Question...

Ara Ghajanian

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