Hi all,

I'm evolving to the next level of my art: stock photography LOL!!!. Anyways, I'm tired to paying beaucoups $$$$$$$ for the packaging on modern B&W film. I usually stick to Ilford FP4, Delta 100, and Delta 400. I know I could probably get this stuff in 100 ft rolls and just get a bulk dispenser and empty rolls to fill. My question is what dispenser should I be looking at for maximum ease of use and longevity (no light leaks). I understand Adorama has one for sale for around $30. Also, should I go with the metal film cans or plastic. I used the plastic cans in high school and found them convenient (with the twist off ends) in terms of film access but what about light-tightness? I'll be taking film that I loaded myself on trips to Antarctica and other inhospitable climates so I want durability too. Mostly, I want to save some $$$$$$ on film seeing as I use so much of it.

Any suggestions would be welcome graciously,

Thanks in advance,

John.

-- John Chan (ouroboros_2001@yahoo.com), January 01, 2001

Answers

After having too many frames ruined in the intrest of saving a few $'s. I have decided that anyone who truely cares about their photographs shouldn't use reloadable canisters. Maybe others have had different experiences, but for me the risk of losing a very important shot is just too high.

-- Josh Root (rootj@att.net), January 01, 2001.

Are you familiar with Freestyle Camera in Los Angeles? They specialize in materials, rather than hardware. Whether you go bulk or pre-packaged, I have found no better deals on bulk purchases. I don't now what their Ilford prices are, but you might be able to get pre- packaged at big savings and save yourself the hassle and danger of bulk load. Check their web site at...

www.freestylecamera.com

-- Ken Shipman (kennyshipman@aol.com), January 02, 2001.

For years I've been rolling in the dark. I think many of the machines that will do the job in daylight are the problem, not the solution, as far as scratches are concerned. 36 exposures is, for me, the length of my outstretched arms, with my wrists cocked in so my hands are square to my arms. Eventually you'll find what's standard for you.

-- Michael Darnton (mdarnton@hotmail.com), January 02, 2001.

I still prefer the Leica cassette. They're often sold on eBay for $5- 10 a piece. The newer ones fit everybody, the older ones can't be used in the "M" cameras, so ask before you buy.

-- Bill Mitchell (bmitch@home.com), January 02, 2001.

I shoot hundreds of feet of bulk film a year. I use Watson bulk loaders (about $20) and both plastic and metal casettes (neither is perfect, but both work).

As with film developing, you need to pay a certain amount of attention to detail and use consistent procedures to avoid problems. But it's not hard to do.

mikedixonphotography.com

-- Mike Dixon (mike@mikedixonphotography.com), January 02, 2001.

John, as an audio-visual and editorial photographer, I've traveled to 26 countries on assignment with nothing in my bag but 100--150 rolls of bulk-loaded Fuji RDP-100 slide film (often pushed to 200). Using Watson-type loaders, I've loaded thousands of rolls of film and have never had scratches that were tracable to the loader. (The worst scratches I ever had were caused by little points of sharp metal that were actually sticking up in the film path of an Olympus OM2s that I once {briefly!} owned.)

I prefer metal cassettes, but my former studio-mate used the plastic ones, so take your choice. If you use metal cassettes, stay away from the Ilford type -- the ones I've used leaked light when reloaded, though not, for some reason, with the original rolls of film they came with. And beware the Kodak Snap-cap. If you drop it on its end, the cap may pop off! Maybe they should call them "Pop-caps."

-- Dave Jenkins (djphoto@vol.com), January 02, 2001.

I use two bulk loaders, a Watson loader for 150' of Kodak Technical Pan, and an Alden bulk loader for 50' roll of Agfapan APX 25, never have any problem with both type of loaders Alden seems better built

-- martin tai (martin.tai@capcanada.com), January 03, 2001.

I'm going to try bulk loading. Ask a photographer friend of mine about bulk loading. He said it's great, you save a lot of money. He recomended loading and unloading in a darker area, i.e. not out in the sun, but not nessacarily a darkroom. Storage in a blakc film canister immediatly is also good. Other than that, it's great, according to him.

-- David B (tboneuls@hotmail.com), July 23, 2001.

John:

I have been using bulk loaders since the 60's [all Watsons I think]. Presently, I have about six. Both metal and plastic cartridges work; in my experience. The only thing to watch is accumulation of grit in the light traps. It will scratch the film. Just don't consider them to be a kind of Leica; ie, they will last forever. They are cheap. Throw them away and replace them on a regular basis.

Art

-- Art (AKarr90975@aol.com), July 23, 2001.

I have an Alden loader and use it for Delta 400 in 100 foot rolls. Works fine. I load in my darkroom under safelight. I use Kalt metal cassettes from B&H. Keep the film cassettes in film cans and you should be fine. I like the brown Fuji cans. I guess for lowest cost you should shoot Tri-X and Plus-X and develop in D-76.

-- Dan Brown (brpatent@swbell.net), July 24, 2001.

Since interested in photography I have used bulck film (Tri-X or Plus- X), since five years ago I recycle magazines from lab users, I just have to be very selective of wich magazines to reload, before that I used reloable magazines until they became so wear that begun to scratch my film, now I use almost new ones, with very good results.My bulk loader has been a Lloyd´s ever since, after more than fifhteen no need to change it, I like loaded film as any one but is so expensive, I rather save for the leicas.

-- r watson (al1231234@hotmail.com), July 24, 2001.

I used bulk loaders all through out high school and am currently looking to buy one for my the service org that I am the historian of. I have never really had a problem with it, except when someone who knew nothing about photography or the equipment messed with the loader. It is really easy to do once you get the hang of it. And if you are really concerned about the reuaseable canisters, do what I did...go to a local photo place that doesnt send out their film to be processed. Ask them for their empty cannisters. All you have to do is tape the bulk to the leader sticking out, and you set. The only catch is that you need to sort out the cannisters for the type of film you are using if you can't override the ISO setting on your camera (if you can you just have to remeber how to do it =). So there was my two cents. I hope that it isn't too late and that it was helpful. From a fellow starving artist (and photo student)

-- Julie Larson (sloshutterbug@hotmail.com), August 19, 2001.