Re: [Leica] Re: Bulk fim loading - Who & Why

["Dan Post" <dwpost@email.msn.com>]

Duncan,
In my experience of thirty years of bulk loading, I have found that the best
way is to load the entire roll at one time- that is load up all the cassette
at one time, put each in a plastic can and refrigerate. If I need a partial
roll, I use part of a 36 exposure roll, and cut off what I expose and
process that. I have loaded short rolls, though, and that works until you
run out!
I do this since I don't like the film sitting around in the bulk loader,
especially the color. I also don't like loading and unloading the bulk
loader!
If you know someone in a mini lab, get them to save the 3M cassettes that
are not staked; they are usually the cartriges from film 3M package for
supermarkets, and drugstores. I have a couple of hundred saved up, so I
don't have to use them too many times. I will admit that I have about ten
old Agfa cassetts from the '70s that are MARVELOUS! They have never
scratched a film yet, and they have been used dozens of times. I do keep the
empties, unused and used rolls in the little canisters so that the
felt/fuzzy/velvet strip at the lip does not pick up grit from a pocket or
bag. So far, I have not scratched unexposed film since about 1967! Knock on
wood!
Dan'l

dwpost@msn.com
- -----Original Message-----
From: Duncan Young <dunk@mincom.com>
To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Date: Monday, February 09, 1998 10:43 PM
Subject: Re: [Leica] Re: Bulk fim loading - Who & Why


>On Mon, 9 Feb 1998, Roy Zartarian wrote:
>
>> On  9 Feb 98 at 20:10, Leikon35@aol.com wrote:
>>    My question is to all LUGgers that load their own film from bulk: >
>>  1. Why do you load your own?
>>
>> Many times I go out knowing that I won't need an entire roll of 24 or
>> 36 exposures for the shoot at hand. Loading from a bulk roll permits
>> me to spool up exactly what I need with a minimum of waste.
>
>dito.
>
>> >  2. How do you do it?
>
>Bought a bulk film loader ( well 2 ) and a dozen reloadable cassettes.
>Keep the bulk film in the freezer inbetween reloads (in plastic bag of
course).
>
>> >  3. What camera are you using?
>
>EOS, Cannon FD and very soon Contax G2.  ( Yes I don't have a leica, yet )
>
>> >  4. What films are available to you in bulk?
>
>I use Delta 400 ( onto the second roll ) and tec pan.
>
>> >  5. Any other reasons to load your own?
>>
>> Can't think of any other than my innate frugality.
>
>Number one reason, cost.  Bought rolls cost me $7-8.  With a bulk roll,
once
>the startup cost are made, its more like $3 per roll.  I can blaze away and
>untill I print, it costs me virtually nothing.
>
>    Duncan
>