Bulk Film Rolling

[kaxdd]

Not sure if this is the correct section to post this. If not, Moderator please move this to an appropriate section. Thanks!

I have been toying around the idea of bulk film rolling for a while but have been procrastinating it since. I would like to find out more before I dwell into it. I do have a few questions that I hope seasoned film rollers (OK, not sure if this is the right term, if not please correct me) can help to answer:

1. Any recommended bulk film loader? I have seen some on ebay but am not sure what brand/model will be recommended. Are we able to buy them in Singapore?

2. Are bulk films easy to buy in Singapore? I have seen them on ebay, but I would like to explore the local market first.

3. Do you need special canister to roll the film into? Or will used canister do the job?

 

[oceanpriest]

1. I use watson bulk loader, it's easy to use. I don't think other model would differ so much, just pick any loader you can find.

2. Ruby is selling bulk film (Tri-X, HP5, Delta, ...)

3. Used canister should be ok, just need to tape the new film to old film if you can't open it. Lucky SHD 100 canister is very easy to open, while other canister sometimes is hard to open. I believe lucky canister is same as metal reloadable canister sold by freestylephoto, labeled as arista. Anyway Ruby is selling reloadable plastic canister.

 

[raytoei]

can i invite you to the dark room forum where
we discuss tank and reel size, bulk loading and film and chemistry

Traditional Darkroom

raytoei

 

[kaxdd]

can i invite you to the dark room forum where
we discuss tank and reel size, bulk loading and film and chemistry

Traditional Darkroom

raytoei

Sure thing! Thanks!

 

[PapaLi]

can i invite you to the dark room forum where
we discuss tank and reel size, bulk loading and film and chemistry

Traditional Darkroom

raytoei

damn poisonous....

 

[crispy12]

Go to Ruby, buy a changing bag, bulk roller from Konica or AP or Watson brand. Also buy as many plastic reloadable cassettes as you can afford, they can be quite hard to find. Last time Ruby was sold out, only place you can get is online. You can also get the film there, Tri-X is cheapest about $80, Ilford about $95-100.

Initially I started with changing bag only, took about 5mins to load one used cassette. This was after I had about 20 rolls of loading experience. My first roll I took 30minutes to hand roll. Had to use changing bag everytime. Now with the bulk roller it takes me about 1minute, so much more convenient. With reloadable cassettes you don't have to waste time with a film picker, I just open the cassette in the changing bag straight on to a dev tank. So much easier, the plastic roll is only $2. I bought 10 reloadable cassettes.

I still have about 100 used metal Fuji cassettes from Ruby, dread the day that I have to use them again. I still have one roll to develop from my Japan trip 2 years ago because so damn hard to open!!

 

[Riotbmx]

http://bit.ly/XRXgml

I use this. It's a knockoff of the Watson loader, but works the same. You will lose the last 2 frames with this, so I usually attach the film and pull out the rest in a changing bag(you'll get what I mean if you use it).. The advantage of this other than being dirt cheap is that it won't scratch the film because it doesn't use those felt light seals. For canister I just use those spent canister I get from the lab. I had the cap popped of from the reusable ones before, luckily that roll hasn't Brent shot so I'm not gonna risk using them again.

 

[kaxdd]

Thanks guys so much for the information! I will probably drop by Ruby soon to take a look.

 

[crispy12]

http://bit.ly/XRXgml

I use this. It's a knockoff of the Watson loader, but works the same. You will lose the last 2 frames with this, so I usually attach the film and pull out the rest in a changing bag(you'll get what I mean if you use it).. The advantage of this other than being dirt cheap is that it won't scratch the film because it doesn't use those felt light seals. For canister I just use those spent canister I get from the lab. I had the cap popped of from the reusable ones before, luckily that roll hasn't Brent shot so I'm not gonna risk using them again.

Was it the metal or plastic casette?

Also thanks for the link, that's a really cheap loader. Can it be loaded in day light? If so I might consider getting one too for spare.

 

[Benji77]

Buy the loader. Buy the bulk film. You wont look back....

 

[kaxdd]

Buy the loader. Buy the bulk film. You wont look back....

Hahaha! I know! I just want to know more before I embark on this! Are there any bulk film for slides or negatives? Seems like there are only bulk films for B&W...

 

[crispy12]

I don't think labs accept bulk rolled film as there's risk that they might contaminate their chemicals with our dodgy unknown brand film :bsmilie: hence why it's only in B/W.

 

[adamadam]

I don't think labs accept bulk rolled film as there's risk that they might contaminate their chemicals with our dodgy unknown brand film :bsmilie: hence why it's only in B/W.

My bulk rolled film has never been rejected.

 

[catchlights]

I used to load bulk film, you will save a lot on film cost, especially when you shoot a lot,
no issue when I sent my film to the lab, just make sure you do tell them is bulk loaded film, the length of film, and indicate E-6 processing or C41 processing properly on the canisters.
btw, I use pro labs, they seen these often.





thread moved.

 

[raytoei]

i sometimes, make a note to fotohub to return my reusable cannisters.