Respool 35mm 36 exp into two rolls

Been bulk loading lately a 100' roll of b/w into 15 or less frames per canister but might change my stock for the next 100' I buy next, so I bought a roll of 35mm 36 exp film to evaluate with of my potential new stock and then (in the dark) cut it in half and respooled it into two rolls, figure I will get 15ish shots per roll. Anyone ever done this? I find myself since being enlightened re bulk loading not wanting the burden of 36 shots (or even 24) when I usually shoot 12 or so per setting if I intend to photograph on a given day and the ability to dev per the lighting instead of averaging the whole roll is just bliss. I felt like I was crazy respooling a roll of 36 into two, anyone ever done that or am I losing it? Since bulk loading I have been photographing, developing and printing more, who would a thought?

hi andy

i love short rolls, and wish they still sold 12 exp rolls !
that is great that you have found a length that works for you
and you are able to load them yourself and not have to cut a spool halfway !

i have heard of 35mm zone system people shooting even shorter rolls, of maybe 10 frames ...
i don't think the length is important, but shooting as much as you can so you get better and better
at reading light, knowing your equipment and zenning out with the process.

great to hear of your methods and FUN !
john

i hate the thought of all the extra film you waste for leaders on those short rolls, however. If ur bulk loading 10-shot rolls, you could be using up fully 25 percent or even 30 percent of the 100-foot roll for leaders, tails and so on.

the whole purpose of bulk loading for me is to cut costs. On a "film wasted" basis, it might make more sense to load 24-shot rolls and if you only shoot 10 and want to quit, go ahead and quit, because often as not you might shoot the whole 24.

Or you could buy yourself a classic Exakta, remove the take-up spool, run the film from canister to canister and then use the handy-dandy film knife to cut off what you've used, pop in another empty canister and finish the roll.

Thanks John for the thoughts glad I am not crazy.

Summicron, I agree there is some waste of smaller rolls but I have found a redeeming use for the header, I call it a "film wishbone", I take the 3 inch header after I dev the roll and cut a 1 inch slit in it (paralell to the sprocket holes) and my kids grab a "leg", make a wish and rip...they love the headers, the trailers are usually 1/2 frame or so, I figure I waste 4 frames per roll, tis not too green but hey making memories has gotta count for something as film wishboneing is a weekend ritual now instead of a monthly affair (what it took to get a 36 roll done before bulking).

Good Morning, Andy,

Why not just shoot the frames you need, then open the camera in complete darkness and cut the film. Then all that's left to do is to cut a new leader; no need for a second cartridge.

Konical

Good idea, will have to try that too! Thanks K

Konical said:

Good Morning, Andy,

Why not just shoot the frames you need, then open the camera in complete darkness and cut the film. Then all that's left to do is to cut a new leader; no need for a second cartridge.

Konical

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Ha ha. I do that a lot. I don't always have the patience to wait out a whole roll.

Not much waste as I cut the roll about 1/2" from the can and then pull out a short lead. I will often reload the camera right there in the dark bag and avoid the burn frames at the beginning.

summicron1 said:

Or you could buy yourself a classic Exakta, remove the take-up spool, run the film from canister to canister and then use the handy-dandy film knife to cut off what you've used, pop in another empty canister and finish the roll.

Click to expand...

I used to do that. The Exakta VX was my 1st SLR. Very versatile and clever design.