Topic: Bulk Loading Questions

[Jack Johnson]

Thanks! But you broke me. I read Bulk film loading for economy yesterday and Suzi made me recall wanting to try Polypan F but what the heck do you do with 90m (or 152m!) of film? Do you have to "decant" it to a 100' roll for a standard bulk loader?

I see Andrea and Mr. Windy are Polypan F shooters. Any tips? I did see I can pick up a new Lloyd-type bulk loader for about $25 USD. Doubt I can find a used Watson anywhere local.

Also kind of scary that I might be able to get 90m of Polypan F from Wiehl, Germany for the nearly the same price as 100' of FP4+ from New York. Even FP4+ in bulk at modern prices is less than half the cost per roll of boxed locally, so I should definitely go bulk for my 35mm monochrome. And who wouldn't like to shoot more FP4+?

[LT]

Jack - I've split this post from the Ed Buziak thread as I think it will get missed there ... I think you're more likely to get your Qs answered this way. Hope you don't mind.

[Windy]

Yes, I decant onto an old reel and insert that into the bulk loader.

[Jack Johnson]

Thanks Leon and Mr. Windy!

How big is a 90m spool? Something you could (or do) handle in a dark bag, or significantly larger?

[Andrea.]

Ah, Mr Johnson. May I call you Jack?

The reel of 90m is too big for a bulk loader but not huge. The film base is much thinner than fp4 for example. As Mr Windy does, I roll off 30m or so - - I guess the length - in a dark bag as you suggest then insert that into the loader. Voila!


Be minded that this lovely film has no halation layer so can 'bloom' in very bright sunshine - but Mr Windy and I don't have too many issues with up here on our island homes. Develop in Rodinal is my suggestion. 1:100 for an hour-ish when when shot in bright light, and I go 1:50 for 21 min otherwise.

Hope that helps

[Jack Johnson]

Ah, Mr Johnson. May I call you Jack?

Absolutely.

Hope that helps

Absolutely! Thanks!

[Windy]

Thanks Leon and Mr. Windy!

How big is a 90m spool? Something you could (or do) handle in a dark bag, or significantly larger?

Yes, I do it in a dark bag and 'guesstimate' - bit fiddly but do-able

[Jack Johnson]

Just picked up a dusty but functional Watson for $12 USD at lunch!

Probably not as cheap as elsewhere, but figure $3 USD in a garage sale in Texas plus $9 shipping and handling to Alaska....

[sherwoodforester]

I too have split a 90m roll of PPF into something small to fit in my 30m Watson Bulk Loader.  Did it in complete darkness (bathroom darkroom) and measured the smaller spool I had rolled of the main spool against the diameter of the bulk loader as I did it leaving about 1cm gap.  Worked great.

As PPF is rather thin I reckon I have probably got about 45m of film in my bulk loader. I am having nice results with Rodinal 1:100 too for around an hour at roughly 20 degrees C, or if I cant wait then I use 1:50 for about 18 mins.

[irv_b]

Yay! My bulk loader arrived today with some reels and 25ft of film via an ebay seller, but where would be the best place to pick up bulk film apart from ebay I don't see any other place selling it?

[Jack Johnson]

Prices on Amazon seem to be reasonable. I have a few random rolls hiding in my wish list, but I think I've convinced myself to buy a roll of Kentmere 100, burn through that, then try a roll of Polypan F.

[irv_b]

Cheers Jack I'll check it out!