recommended cassettes for bulk film (M7)

[newtoleica]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Hi,

I've been buying bulk B&W film to keep costs down. Initially some Rollei 100 to try out (Nice high contrast medium speed film) and now have a couple of bulk rolls of Tri-X at what will be £9 a roll. However my plastic reusable cassettes from eBay haven't been a great buy as the velvet is breaking up already and leaving bits of flock on the film.....

I see the FILCA cassettes don't work on an M7, and not sure about the Shirley Wellard... Any recommendations as to what to use?

I have some Fuji Provia cassettes from my last batch that look reusable as the end caps are not staked. Maybe try those?

[nitroplait]

Reuse commercial cassettes - ask at your local lab if you don’t have enough. 

[nitroplait]

6 hours ago, newtoleica said:

I have some Fuji Provia cassettes from my last batch that look reusable as the end caps are not staked. Maybe try those?

Not the first time this question has been asked. 

As I noted above. Just tape the end of the bulk roll to a commercial cassette and Bob's your uncle.

I have posted below before:

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

Cassettes I have used; left to right: 

FSU cartridge: Bought from an Ukraine eBay seller. Very sturdy, semi easy to open. Smells bad. Works with most cameras, but tolerances are not too precise, therefore it can be a tight fit in some cameras. The velvet doesn't look great but works fine (so far).
Price paid <€2/each

No-name metal: - NOS bought from my local camera shop two years ago - very easy to open and good quality velvet - will probably open easily if dropped. Works in all cameras. 
Price paid <1€/each

Commercial cartridge: The most convenient solution, IMO. Just tape the bulk film to the lip that sticks out. Won't open when dropped. Scratching from re-use is overly exaggerated IMO. Works in all 35mm film cameras and easy to get. 
Price paid 0€/each

Ilford reloadable: Great quality but not super easy to open (and therefore less likely to open if dropped - which is good). Compatible with all cameras.
Price paid 2€/each

Leica IXMOO: Requires bulk loader that can open the film gate of the cartridge (or darkroom loading). Works only with Leica M (up to mid-production M6) and Barnack Leicas. Crazy good quality of solid brass. Likely to be mistaken for high caliber gun cartridges in airport security. Not super easy to unload.
Price paid <20€/each (but often sells up to 50€!)

Leica FILCA: Like above, but only compatible with Barnack Leica.
Price paid <15€/each 

Nikon F: Requires bulk loader that can open the cassette (or darkroom loading). Works only with Nikon F (and maybe some of the Nikon rangefinders?). Great quality. Not super easy to unload.
Price paid <20€/each

Nikon F2 (AM-1): Like above, but only compatible with Nikon F2.
Price paid <8€/each (but very difficult to find at any price)

Not shown above: Current plastic cassettes are of bad quality. They open easily if dropped, velvet is of poor quality and is best avoided.

My preferred method of reloading is the commercial cartridge where I just tape the bulk film to the end of the old film lip sticking out of the used cartridge. It is easy, cheap and fast - and the cassette will work in any camera.

Edited March 1, 2023 by nitroplait

[newtoleica]

Problematic as firstly I fully rewind, then I open the cassettes before loading into the tank. However I have about 15 Provia/Portra cassettes that look like they can be clipped back together as the metal isn't bent. I'll try one with a short length as a test.

[Pyrogallol]

I have been using Jessops plastic reloadable cassettes for many years and only occasionally throw one away if the mouth lining is getting worn or if the fogged end of the developed film is not looking perfect. Packs of the Jessops cassettes turn up on e Bay occasionally.

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!