Rolling your own film

Snapshot · Oct 5, 2007

Double post. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Flotsam · Oct 5, 2007

I agree with Tim 100%.
The AP is the best I've used. Unlike the Watson or Lloyd it has no felt light trap and you can shoot right to the end of the roll without the disappointment of discovering that you have lost the last one or two images on the light struck end. I also agree that a daylight loader that has to be used in the dark kind of defeats its convenience. The AP's failsafe system that only opens the light trap when the door is closed and the crank inserted is well thought out. I can accurately and consistently wind 35 exposure rolls (7 strips of 5 frames) to fit my proofer and file pages and the dial that keeps track of how much film is left on the bulk roll is a huge convenience especially if you wind rolls of varied lengths.

I reuse efke, and JandC cassettes which easily pop apart and back together again.

My best tip: Run a post-it note through the cassette's felt light trap before using it. The post-it is just tacky enough to pick up any film scratching dust or gack without tearing up or unraveling the felt. I've never had any scratching problems.

Nick Zentena · Oct 5, 2007

I've no problem knowing exactly how many frames I've loaded. The Aldens don't start counting at one. I think S is minus 4. They are packed so I can't check. But like I said we were taught to load the extra four frames. I guess if you shoot past the end of the roll then it's an issue. But I also tend to know when I'm near the end of the roll.

IloveTLRs · Dec 21, 2007

I was browsing a local camera shop this afternoon when I found some film canisters and so I thought I'd try rolling my own film. I also bought a 30m roll of Tri-X.

I've been playing with a practice roll in my changing bag and I was able to spool it up okay. What I'm worried about is length. I'd like to start off making some 24 exp rolls - how do I know how long to make them if I'm in the dark?

An idea I had was to hang-up a used 24-exp roll on the wall and measuring it against that. I know there's a machine that'll do it for you, but it was $150 :rolleyes:

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Akki14 · Dec 21, 2007

You should be able to get a small hand-crank daylight bulkloader for less than $150.

IloveTLRs · Dec 21, 2007

I've only seen one in the shops over here. $150

pcyco · Dec 21, 2007

hallo

look at ebay

i got mine for 9 euro.

i dont think that the payments for shipping will be so high.(from europe)

new at blende7.at in vienne 54 euro (i think it is a kaiser)
you also need some empty rolls. new (9 euro ten pieces)

so there are about 90 euro for shipping!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ag

thomas

Erik Hartmann · Dec 21, 2007

You can easily find them on Ebay.....
I have en extra, so I can help you if anything else goes wrong.....
look here Dead Link Removed

pcyco · Dec 21, 2007

hallo

if you can order two or more.
because you will like the bulkrolls.
and then you find an other film, but to change the filmrolls is no good way.

ag

thomas

ps.: nice photos on your pages !!!!!

kraker · Dec 21, 2007

A bulk loader is handy, and you really don't need a new one. Enough of them on the 'bay-thingy, as mentioned already. And a lot cheaper. I think I bought mine for about EUR 20, where a new one in the shop was over EUR 100. CRAZY, they will never-ever sell it for that price...

Still, I've done without one for years. Just measure or calculate the length needed, make some marks on a table or whatever in the darkroom, and measure the length of film that way. Maybe there's a slightly higher risk of scratches, but then again... I never really had any problems with that.

pcyco said:
hallo
you also need some empty rolls. new (9 euro ten pieces)

Or even cheaper: ask your local one-hour lab to save some empty film cannisters for you. I've used the re-usable plasic cannisters in the past, but I'm not really pleased with them. Re-using used film rolls is just as easy, and if you're a nice guy (m/f), the local lab will give them to you for free.

(In exchange, let them develop a roll of film every now and then )

IloveTLRs · Dec 21, 2007

I'll look on auctions over here.
In the meantime, is there no way to do it by hand? Does no one do it that way?

pcyco said:
ps.: nice photos on your pages !!!!!

Thank you!

Schlapp · Dec 21, 2007

Yes, I do it by hand for Fine Gran Positive 5302. Just wind it on until the canniter feels like it's filling up. That's usually enough. Why worry whether its 24 or 29 frames??

Erik Hartmann · Dec 21, 2007

Does no one do it that way?

I do not think so.....

I do it by hand for Fine Gran Positive 5302. Just wind it on until the canniter feels like it's filling up. That's usually enough. Why worry whether its 24 or 29 frames??
__________________

but OK there IS... sorry...

Snapshot · Dec 21, 2007

Bulk loaders are quite cheap on E-bay and if you look you'll find them for under $20 dollars. I prefer to bulk load film because of the cost savings, customized roll lengths and also think it's kind of fun.

dpurdy · Dec 21, 2007

Good thing bulk loaders are cheap on ebay because the one I got was broken.

I roll slide film by hand. I have found that a 36 exposure roll is about the same as as far as I can reach with the roll in front of me on a counter. 24 exposures would be less than that. Do you have an uncut 24 exposure roll somewhere? Use it to figure some method in the dark to measure. Like putting the fresh roll in a particular place and making tape mark on the wall.
low tech.
Dennis

dpurdy · Dec 21, 2007

Another thought.. measure a stip of 6 frames and multiply by 4.. plus a little for leader.
D

Larry.Manuel · Dec 21, 2007

table of length of flim vs. # of frames

Does anyone have any suggestions?[/QUOTE]

Try this: http://tinyurl.com/2ebuv5

or see rogerandfrances.com

It's a little tricky to navigate the site. I have a membership for the paid modules; I think you can find the info you want in the free modules.

Go to "photo school" - List of Modules,
Then: "Basics",
Near the Bottom: click on "How Do I?"
Finally: "load 35mm film from bulk (and why)?.

Lately, I've been buying 36 exp films, and transferring half to a plastic canister. With two shorter films, I have my results more frequently. I prefer to see my result sooner, and developing at home is fun for me.
Good luck.

AgX · Dec 21, 2007

When I started photography I changed from my fifth or so off-the-shelf-roll to bulkloading by hand. I did it in a rather light-tight room, placing the bulkroll onto some wrapping paper, a soucer plate would be fine too, sticking it on to the spool the right way and then rolling it up to the flanges, which gave me some 42 exp. or so.
Loading only up to 24 exp. you will additionally need a ruler or so with a proper length mark to measure the film length after sticking the film to the spool. This would not work within the changing-bag I guess...

A lot of bulk-loading information is to be found on the website of our Roger Hicks.

DWThomas · Dec 21, 2007

A few decades back, I drove two finish nails in an out-of-the way vertical door trim in my "darkroom" of the time. I would tape the end of the bulk roll to the spool and hang the spool on the upper nail. Then unroll down to the lower nail, cut the film, roll it up and put it in the cassette. Other than the deep knee bends in a small closet, it worked pretty well.

I'm remembering a 36 was about 65 inches(?) -- whatever, I measured a developed commercial roll before cutting it.

DaveT

3Dfan · Dec 21, 2007

Roger Hicks has a good overview of bulk loading at his site:
http://rogerandfrances.com/photoschool/ps how load bulk.html
http://rogerandfrances.com/photoschool/ps how choose cassetes.html

Smudger · Dec 21, 2007

Bulk loading without a loader..

According to my Kodak handbook, the length of a 24exp film,including leader and trailer is 118.8cm/46.8 inches.
For 36exp :164.3cm/64.7 inches.
With the attaching tape I use I find 36exp a bit tight in the cassette, but 30-32 exp is fine.
Two thumbtacks on your bench are more than adequate,but you will find 36exp is a bit of a stretch unless you have arms like an orangutan..

AgX · Dec 22, 2007

Smudger said:
Two thumbtacks on your bench are more than adequate,but you will find 36exp is a bit of a stretch unless you have arms like an orangutan..

Which might start a new thread: "The löök of the typical Apugger"

Akki14 · Dec 22, 2007

AgX said:
Which might start a new thread: "The löök of the typical Apugger"

Also explains the more commonly used nickname Ape Hugger

harri129 · Dec 22, 2007

I've never had a bulk film loader even if the used ones cost next to nothing. I used a paperclip that was bent to form a kind of handle/lever. I counted the turns. I used my business card as a guide in cutting straight angles. My leader was also the lenght of my card

I learned quickly how many turns it takes for each perticular type of canister. If you have many different canister types this may be difficult. If you only use a couple of types like I did, it is easy by trial and error.

To give you some starting point I think about 30-32 turns was right for me with a bit of leader added (a 36 exposure lengh).

Anscojohn · Dec 22, 2007

In my darkroom I have three push pins along the door jam, one for the beginning length, the others for enough film for the two different lengths of of film needed. I do it by feel. Never have owned a bulk loader.

John, Mount Vernon, Virginia USA

Rolling your own film

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