I am so brilliant

Moopheus · Jul 30, 2007

I figured if I was going to the bother of processing my own film, it seemed the next step to save some money shooting all that film would be bulk loading, and since used bulk loaders are plentiful and cheap, why not? So I got me a roll of FP4+ and Watson 100, and loaded up a couple of rolls, and I could see that the loader was putting nasty, quite noticeable scratches into the film, on the base side. I opened it up and made sure it was clean, at least as well as I could, in the dark, but that didn't help.

So I bought a second loader, an Alden 74, swapped the spool from one loader to the other, and as I was checking the instructions I of course discovered what I had done wrong. I had run the film out with the loader in the "closed" position, not realizing it could be (and should be) in the "open" position with the flap shut. So now, no scratches.

Not a total loss: now I have two loaders, and the Alden seems a little better in terms of design and construction. And now I get to have a "learning experience" with Edwal's scratch remover!

I think this is even worse, though, in some ways than accidentally developing with the fixer, since now I can see the ruined photos (yes, of course I still used it), taunting me.

So I just post this so you can all have a good chuckle at my expense.

Kino · Jul 30, 2007

You are just getting your heartaches out of the way up front!

The REAL pain is the occasional refresher courses served up later...

Nick Zentena · Jul 30, 2007

The Alden and the Watson are the same design. If you buy an older Watson you'll see what Alden copied. Or was it the other way?

Either way I'm sure most of us have forgotten to open the trap when spooling film -)

eric · Jul 30, 2007

No worries Moopheus. We've been there. I've scratched a bunch my first time around with a bulk loader.

Stephanie Brim · Jul 30, 2007

Yep, been there. Add another voice to the chorus of 'doh!'

Vonder · Jul 31, 2007

My latest confession-able event is leaving the central black pole out of my Patterson tank as I rushed to develop a roll. Those of you who have this tank will know what I mean, and I bet to a man (or woman) there's not a one who's NOT done this at least once.

Fortunately (?) I had poured the developer in and the film was only ASA 50. It immediately darkened the first 3 shots on the roll, made them black, and saved the rest of the film from much light damage harm. Oh well. Live and learn.

Stephanie Brim · Jul 31, 2007

Yep, done that too. With a roll of 120 no less.

eli griggs · Jul 31, 2007

Moopheus, at least now you can reload for two films without changing rolls. I have 3-4 35mm loaders and would welcome a couple more just for the convenience factor.

When I first got into bulk loading I was shooting 100, sometimes 200 feet a week, for about a year. I had my share of mishaps but the number one lesson I took away was to be very careful about wear and tear on the film canisters felt mouths.

I was using metal cassettes made to be bulk loaded and reloading Ilford HP5 and FP4 canisters. Ilford cassettes could be pushed open to remove the film and I was loath to throw any of these away, so I got long, ruinous scratches along a number of reloaded films. It took me a while to realize what was happening but when I did, no more scratched films from worn out canisters, reloaded one too many times.

Important lessons often have an element of pain or loss.

Eli

Snapshot · Jul 31, 2007

Once, I used fixer intended for B&W prints when I should have used blix when I made some colour prints. It was quite a "D'oh!" moment for me.

Thomas Bertilsson · Jul 31, 2007

Oh man! Now I've got one more screw up to worry about... Actually, I've never done that, but I have started loading 4x5 sheets in broad daylight, without changing bag... Talk about a brain fart.

- Thomas

Wolfeye said:
My latest confession-able event is leaving the central black pole out of my Patterson tank as I rushed to develop a roll. Those of you who have this tank will know what I mean, and I bet to a man (or woman) there's not a one who's NOT done this at least once.

Fortunately (?) I had poured the developer in and the film was only ASA 50. It immediately darkened the first 3 shots on the roll, made them black, and saved the rest of the film from much light damage harm. Oh well. Live and learn.

fschifano · Jul 31, 2007

Ok, so now you have two loaders. Guess what, these things have a tendency to multiply like rabbits. Get a bulk load of HP5+ or Tri-X for the extra. Next thing you know you'll be saying something like, "Gee whiz, that bargain bulk film looks interesting, maybe I'll get some. What the heck, it's only $20, but I don't have another loader for it." Then, of course, there is the collection of re-loadable cassettes that follows. And so it goes.

Removed Account · Jul 31, 2007

Thomas Bertilsson said:
Oh man! Now I've got one more screw up to worry about... Actually, I've never done that, but I have started loading 4x5 sheets in broad daylight, without changing bag... Talk about a brain fart.

- Thomas

I've had that experience with a box of paper not that long ago. Luckily I didn't the black plastic all the way open before I realized, and slammed it back in the box before doing major damage.

- Justin

Moopheus · Jul 31, 2007

fschifano said:
Ok, so now you have two loaders. Guess what, these things have a tendency to multiply like rabbits.

That's just what I'm afraid of, wanting one for each kind of film I use, at least the ones that are still available in bullk. I bought a couple of cans of Acros on literally the last day Megaperls had them for sale. Soon I will have the fridge full of years worth of film...

nworth · Aug 1, 2007

The Watson loader is designed to prevent scratches. When you are winding the film onto the casette, it passes through a very wide gate with no felt. I can see two possibilities. The least likely is that you forgot to open the gate. You have to rotate the big wheel that also serves as the cap to the film compartment so that the gate is fully open before you start winding. The more likely cause is dirty casettes. Check the felt on the casettes you used to make sure there is no grit in them that could cause the scratches.

Snapshot · Aug 1, 2007

I have 3 bulk loaders and over 100 cassettes as it allows me to have 3 different types of film on hand.

GeoffHill · Aug 2, 2007

cafeharrar said:
I've had that experience with a box of paper not that long ago. Luckily I didn't the black plastic all the way open before I realized, and slammed it back in the box before doing major damage.

- Justin

I wasn't as fast as you, and ruined about 90 sheets of 8 x 10, just last week

I am so brilliant

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