I think I'm going to need some bulk loading cartridges...

Stephanie Brim · Oct 14, 2006

I just did an interesting spur-of-the-moment Ebay purchase thing that I may or may not regret: I got a 100ft roll of Plus-X and a 100ft roll of Tri-X for $2.25 each. Yes, $2.25. No typo. It's been frozen, but the film expired in 1982 and 1983 respectively. I'm wondering what my odds are here. Either way, I'll spend around $10 and get 35 rolls of film...I think I've made out.

ricksplace · Oct 14, 2006

Pretty much a crap shoot, Stephanie. If it really has been frozen all that time, it will probably be fine. I have used film from the seventies that had been frozen, and it was fine. Try it and see. Bulk loaders are really cheap right now, so I have one for every type of bulk 35 film I use.

"...I think I've made out" Good to hear. That should put a smile on your face.

Rick.

Markok765 · Oct 14, 2006

Dont buy cartriges! go to your local 1 hour lab and ask then for free ones, they have a bit of film sticking out, and you tape the B&W to that, and bulk as usual

srs5694 · Oct 14, 2006

The Plus-X is more likely to be good, simply because it's slower. As I understand it, the main limiting factor in long-term cold storage of film is cosmic rays, which aren't easily blocked. Film reacts to them much like it reacts to light, so faster films are more susceptible and will fog more than will slower films.

If you've never done any bulk loading before, I recommend you go to your nearest one-hour photo place and ask for some empty cartridges. Dead Link Removed describes how to re-use them, including some photos at the bottom of the page. You can even load cartridges without a bulk loader; you'll need a dark room or a changing bag, and you need to do it by feel. In the long term, of course, a bulk loader makes things easier, but if you're not sure if this film is any good or whether you'll be doing more bulk loading, doing a couple of rolls without a bulk loader is the cheapest way to start. If the film's good or if you want to do more bulk loading in the future, you can buy a new bulk loader for $20 or so, or for less used via eBay.

Dave Parker · Oct 14, 2006

I have bulk loaders, several of them and a massive amount of brand new cassettes if someone is in need, be able to make a pretty good buy for someone.

Dave

kb244 · Oct 14, 2006

Hell I had a bulk roll that was that old and not refrigerated and it appeared to be fine.

And damn you on being lucky

Stephanie Brim · Oct 14, 2006

I just stumbled across these. I feel lucky, trust me. And yes, they were apparently frozen the whole time, which makes me think they'll be okay. I'll be trying out the Tri-X before I use it, but I'm pretty sure that the Plus-X is going to be just fine. And really, if it's a little fogged...for $10 plus shipping for two long rolls of film, you just can't care that much.

AgCl4ever · Oct 14, 2006

Stephanie -

Bulk loading is a pain - you need to spend time cutting, taping, rolling, etc.
Bulk loading is wonderful - you get to experiment, try a million variations on something, use your thumb as a motor drive ("out of these 15 rolls today I've got to have at least one dynamite shot!). It does save $, whether it's worth it for you time will tell. I have come back to bulk loading because it's the cheapest way to stockpile film (I now have a fridge full!).

If you do get some fog it's worth trying benzatriazole (an anti-fog agent) when you develop. My guess is that your film will be fine as is.

Good luck, enjoy, buy a five reel tank for developing!

Ken

donbga · Oct 14, 2006

Markok765 said:
Dont buy cartriges! go to your local 1 hour lab and ask then for free ones, they have a bit of film sticking out, and you tape the B&W to that, and bulk as usual

Not a good practice IMO.

Dave Parker · Oct 14, 2006

Markok765 said:
Dont buy cartriges! go to your local 1 hour lab and ask then for free ones, they have a bit of film sticking out, and you tape the B&W to that, and bulk as usual

Been there done that.....didn't work for me..

Dave

Mick Fagan · Oct 14, 2006

I've used bulk loaders for about 40 years, currently I own 6 of them, with 5 in use right now.

In defense of Marko, when I was his age I did exactly what he proposes. Money at his age, is an extreme luxury, or was when I was a teenager/young adult.

I have used the generic plastic re-loadable film cassettes from different sources, they have their faults, but they work, are cheap, and, who cares.

Stephanie, you should get 18 1/2 rolls from a 30.4 metre roll (100'). The first time I bulk load a new type of film, or in this case an old film, I do two 6 frame rolls and test the film. This should leave you with 18 full 36 frame rolls to play with.

My own experience with quite old Ilford HP5+ and FP4 & FP4+ is that they do age, but generally speaking they will work very well.

I have this year finished a roll of HP5+ that I bought new, with an expiry date of 1989.

Mick.

kb244 · Oct 15, 2006

if you ever dont have a bulk loader available, stretching out a length of negative from hand to hand across your chest is typically about 36 exposures (varies on the person ).... in the dark of course ( or redlight if yer working with ortho film ).

MattKing · Oct 15, 2006

One of the great things about bulk loading is it permits choosing weird lengths of film. I got a great deal on negative sleeves that store 7 rows of 4 negatives each - guess what, I load 28 exposure rolls.

It is important, however, to carefully inspect and clean your cassettes regularly.

Matt

Anupam Basu · Oct 15, 2006

Stephanie Brim said:
I just did an interesting spur-of-the-moment Ebay purchase thing that I may or may not regret: I got a 100ft roll of Plus-X and a 100ft roll of Tri-X for $2.25 each. Yes, $2.25. No typo. It's been frozen, but the film expired in 1982 and 1983 respectively. I'm wondering what my odds are here. Either way, I'll spend around $10 and get 35 rolls of film...I think I've made out.

Some of the shots on this page were made with Tri-X expired 40 years ago. So I should expect your film to be quite fine, but perhaps with just a little fog. Either way, I'd test for EI and dev times for any serious work.

-A

I think I'm going to need some bulk loading cartridges...

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