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Why Bulk Load Your Film?

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Truzi said:
In XP try the Start Button > Programs > Accessories. Poke around in there, some systems have it depending on how it was installed.

Other than that, I'd second Sirius Glass on the Mac comment, except I'm a Linux user :smile:
Click to expand...

I have a Linux machine too.
 
Sirius Glass said:
I have a Linux machine too.
Click to expand...

I've an old Mac I dust off on occasion, and it dual-boots OSX and Linux, but prefer Linux. I really want a MacBook Air, they are so cool, but can't see paying that much for something I'd just put Linux on immediately.
 
Mainecoonmaniac said:
My main issue is worn felt light traps and scratches from grit getting caught in the traps too.
Click to expand...

Not a problem if you use concentric cassettes

available for example for

Nikon rfdr to F2
Contax I,II,IIa, Contarex
Kiev
Leica Barnacks, and most Ms
Some Nicca
Some LTM Canon

various compatability issues

Noel
 
momus said:
I was looking at the prices for Tri-X in 135mm format on Freestyle's website. For 36 exposure at the regular price, it would cost you $98 for 18 rolls (about what you would get from a 100' roll). Their price for 100' of Tri-X is $84.
Click to expand...
If you order right now 18 rolls of 36 exp. cost exactly $79, exactly same price as bulk roll of 100' (not 84 bit 79). There is 20% rebate on single rolls
http://www.freestylephoto.biz/category/2-Film/Black-and-White-Film?mfg[]=63&attr[]=1-3&attr[]=2-6
If you want cheaper film go for Eastman Double X Negative, very similar to TX or check out ORWO stock. In average 100' goes for $55 or less and that's worth bulk loading.
http://www.orwona.com/b-w-motion-picture-camera-films/
 
momus said:
So you would save the grand total of $14 if you bulk rolled the 18 cartridges IF you already had 18 empty cartridges, and IF you already had the bulk loader.
Click to expand...

One does not need a bulk loader. When I started bulk-loading I did not even know such existed.
 
IF you have a local shop (Costco/Walgreen/Walmart/etc) that still develops films, you can ask the guy in the shop for cartridges. Usually they are free. Last time I asked and got a whole bag of cartridges. Most of them have a short lead. So they are perfect for bulk loading.

momus said:
...So you would save the grand total of $14 if you bulk rolled the 18 cartridges IF you already had 18 empty cartridges...
Click to expand...
 
I've always bulk loaded film. You don't always have to commit to 24 ex. . You have a choice. Film of choice is Ilford delta 100

ToddB
 
StoneNYC said:
Because Double-X ONLY comes in bulk...
Click to expand...

Now that is a reason to. I've bulk loaded for years, but that may change. 36 exposures doesn't work for me anymore, I just don't shoot the volume I used to. I loaded up a half dozen cassettes this weekend and realized that it will take me forever to use these, but, my daughter just started a FILM photo class and may use them, but still, I only loaded for 20 exposures for each roll. I have 50 sheets out of a 4x5 box of TMY downstairs that expired 12 years ago. I used my last 8 sheets of E100 that was over 10 years old and tried to develop them in the last of my E6 chemistry, waste of time. The shots were unimportant anyway. About the only thing I am shooting more of is 120.

I just don't shoot the amount of frames I used to, but, there are more keepers.
 
What are concentric cassettes? I always worried about scratches and about the ends popping off the cassettes, but I never had it actually happen.

Freestyle has HP5+ for $65/100ft; that beats their cassette price by a large margin.
 
Orwo UN54 is one nice film to shoot. So bulk loading is apparent for me. I wish some one come with better idea to make stable film cassettes.

Right now, plastic or metal they are quite uncertain to use.
 
Timor I feel I have to defend Kodak Orwo meaning Filmotec makes the 100ft rolls for amateurs and the like who use 35mm MP cameras Like the Zeiss Ikon Kinamo or the internal load of a B&H Eyemo the still film business is a small side market. You can get special orders from Kodak or buy prespooled Kodak Film (MP-Stock) from some other places. Kodaks MP Division is set up for the pro market not the amateur market. Orwo on the other hand is quite the opposite it is more amateur oriented than pro oriented. Just look up perforations and Orwo/Filmotec for years they did not make the correct perforations for 16mm film and 35mm film (Kodak as opposed to B&H) they just kept producing to the old GDR/USSR Standard (The Sowjet system used the Kodak standard for print and shooting stock, the West the B&H Standard for shooting and Kodak for printing) resulting in film jams and sometimes camera repairs (the first happened quiet often). Arri advised against the use of Orwo film this should tell you something. When it works the Orwo stock is superb and in fact more modern than Kodak's B/W MP emulsions.

Found this online source for Double X in 100ft spools: Dead Link Removed and also this very weird shop http://www.labeauratoire.com/film/index.html
 
MDR said:
...Found this online source for Double X in 100ft spools: Dead Link Removed ...
Click to expand...

Seriously, I just can't see the point. They sell Double-X for $79,99, while Tri-X is $78,49 at the same shop! Why bother? It would make sense to shoot Double-X if it cost you considerably less, but it actually costs more. This film can't have any mythical characteristics, that's just hype.
 
Double-X is an old emulsion (little changes since the 1950's) whereas the new Tri-X is a modern emulsion that is identical with old Tri-X in name only, so if you want to go old style than Double-X is your only option these days.

I agree the price is high considering that 400ft of the same emulsion cost 213.12 $ directly from Kodak not cheap but cheaper to get more.
 
Double-X is lower contrast and finer grained

250 ISO in D76
320 ISO in Microphen 8 mins 20C

both at low contrast
 
BetterSense said:
What are concentric cassettes? I always worried about scratches and about the ends popping off the cassettes, but I never had it actually happen.

Freestyle has HP5+ for $65/100ft; that beats their cassette price by a large margin.
Click to expand...

Concentric cassettes are two brass tubes about 1" diameter with a section of the side removed. Each one has an end closed and they fit neatly into each other (one being slightly smaller in diameter.)
The bobbin with the film goes inside and you leave a tail of film out thru the gap and then rotate the one on the other until it locks shut. The film inside is now in a tube closed to light with the bit of film sticking out.
The camera has a mechanism built into the baseplate or backplate that locks it onto the camera then rotates the tubes until the slits are aligned and the film is free to run. No felt to be seen. :D
As you open the camera to retrieve the film the mechanism closes the cassette first before unlocking the baseplate.
Unfortunately every brand has its own slightly different design and even then there is variation between models. You have to try before you buy. They last for years. Mine have - on the shelf.

Edit - just took delivery of 150m (450' +) of Polypan F for 65 Euro incl post. Less than a buck a roll.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
BetterSense said:
What are concentric cassettes? I always worried about scratches and about the ends popping off the cassettes, but I never had it actually happen.

Freestyle has HP5+ for $65/100ft; that beats their cassette price by a large margin.
Click to expand...

I use their least expensive film for 35mm. I end up saving about $1.10 per roll, as opposed to buying the same film brand prepackaged. If all I shoot is 400' to 500' feet in a year, that's still a chunk of change. That's a lot of donuts.
 
MDR said:
Found this online source for Double X in 100ft spools: Dead Link Removed
Click to expand...

Anyone bought any of that yet, and can tell us how it comes spooled? On small plastic core (like normal bulk still film), on a big plastic core (like movie film, for use with split reels), or on a metal spool (like movie film for daylight loading into Eyemo cameras, etc.)?

Duncan
 
MDR said:
Timor I feel I have to defend Kodak Orwo meaning Filmotec makes the 100ft rolls for amateurs and the like who use 35mm MP cameras Like the Zeiss Ikon Kinamo or the internal load of a B&H Eyemo the still film business is a small side market. You can get special orders from Kodak or buy prespooled Kodak Film (MP-Stock) from some other places. Kodaks MP Division is set up for the pro market not the amateur market. Orwo on the other hand is quite the opposite it is more amateur oriented than pro oriented. Just look up perforations and Orwo/Filmotec for years they did not make the correct perforations for 16mm film and 35mm film (Kodak as opposed to B&H) they just kept producing to the old GDR/USSR Standard (The Sowjet system used the Kodak standard for print and shooting stock, the West the B&H Standard for shooting and Kodak for printing) resulting in film jams and sometimes camera repairs (the first happened quiet often). Arri advised against the use of Orwo film this should tell you something. When it works the Orwo stock is superb and in fact more modern than Kodak's B/W MP emulsions.

Found this online source for Double X in 100ft spools: Dead Link Removed and also this very weird shop http://www.labeauratoire.com/film/index.html
Click to expand...

Yes but they charge an incredible price for them... $80 will get you double that from kodak directly (if you can find a way to load 400 at once of course).

I wish Neopan400 had come in bulk when I discovered it, I would have bought a few cans... The stuff is like magic, it's gone now... Eastman Double-X is the closest to magic still in existence as far as I'm concerned. Tri-X has it's place, but that magic look for people to make them glow, that's Double-X (hence why I started that 4x5 special order of Double-X) it's just great stuff.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Murray Kelly said:
Concentric cassettes are two brass tubes about 1" diameter with a section of the side removed. Each one has an end closed and they fit neatly into each other (one being slightly smaller in diameter.)
The bobbin with the film goes inside and you leave a tail of film out thru the gap and then rotate the one on the other until it locks shut. The film inside is now in a tube closed to light with the bit of film sticking out.
The camera has a mechanism built into the baseplate or backplate that locks it onto the camera then rotates the tubes until the slits are aligned and the film is free to run. No felt to be seen. :D
As you open the camera to retrieve the film the mechanism closes the cassette first before unlocking the baseplate.
Unfortunately every brand has its own slightly different design and even then there is variation between models. You have to try before you buy. They last for years. Mine have - on the shelf.

Edit - just took delivery of 150m (450' +) of Polypan F for 65 Euro incl post. Less than a buck a roll.
Click to expand...

I use the Leica cassettes, both Barnack and M. I have about twenty total. I'll never use the other reusable types if I don't have to. I'm using the Leica only for 35mm, so it shouldn't be any problem.
 
Are smokers and photographers the same? The real ones roll their own :wink:
 
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