Need help with bulk flim loading

Hi, I'm new to this group, but not new to shooting 35mm film. I enjoyed rolling, shooting and processing my own stuff 35 yrs ago. Well, now my kids are old enough to take care of them selfs and I have the time and resources to get back to my long lost hobby. I have been reading up on this board and other and getting back up to speed. One problem that I'm having is rolling film on my old Watson 100 bulk loader. Back in the day I used Nikon F's and Nikkormats without motor drives, I still have them and use them, but my problem is with a new F3 and F4 I have acquired. My question is, what is the best way to secure the film to the 35mm reel in the cassette without tearing the tape of the reel at the end of the film. Thanks for your help.

Bob

I use masking tape.

My camera is a Nikon FM-2, with a Spiratone motor drive. I wrap the tape around the spool, and stick it to both sides of the film. I've never had the motor drive tear the tape.

Monophoto, Thanks for the quick reply. I did not put the tape on both sides of the film. I put about 4 ins. of tape on the top and the film would not rewind, I need to use my changing bag to get it to rewind. How long should the leads be?

I use about 3/4" on each side of the film plus what goes around the core. Guess about 2" or so.

Thanks all I'll give it a try.

Bob

The Caddilac for bulk loading is called Blue Max and is a film splicing tape. I use a piece about 21/2" long.

The tape roll I have is 1" wide. $20 for a lifetime of film tape. It sticks to film incredibly well, and only slightly to other things.

cut

BobSnoody said:

My question is, what is the best way to secure the film to the 35mm reel in the cassette without tearing the tape of the reel at the end of the film.

Click to expand...

scissors cut clean end

especially when using stretchy electrical tape

scotch tape fail

I've discovered that it's important to tape both sides of the film, going around the spool, and tightly enough that the end of the film can't exit the canister. The reason being, when you get to the end of the roll, if the film can come out, even a bit, it won't go back in. It jams and then you've gotta open your camera in a darkroom.

This happened to me.

I've never needed to stick the tape to both sides of the film. once around the spool and then maybe 3/4 inch onto the support side of the film. Doesn't come loose with my N90 or F100. I like the green 3M masking tape for the job. Has just the right amount of stickiness. The blue painter's tape is no good for the job - too weak.