Over the years since I got back to shooting film I have enjoyed opportunities to explore the possibilities of many different film and developer combinations. The soaring prices of most films have made that an expensive proposition and have prompted me to look at alternatives. One obvious one to consider was bulk film.
I don't recall when or why I acquired this Watson Bulk Film Loader, but it seemed time to give it a try. I mentioned the possibility to a couple film shooting friends and was offered some helpful advice on use as well as a partial bulk roll of Arista Edu 200 to get started. I bought a four-pack of plastic reloadable cartridges from Adorama and loaded 12 frames into one for a trial run. To eliminate any camera variables in the test, I shot the short strip in my Retina IIc with the Xenon lens which never disappoints.
I took a long walk with the Retina through a part of the neighborhood I seldom visit. The setting sun cast some nice light and shadows which made it easy to quickly finish the test roll.
I had not used any Arista film in some time and I was pleasantly surprised at the nice tonal palette and fine grain when developed in RO9 1:25.
So, I ordered a 100-foot bulk roll of Arista Edu 200 from B&H. The hundred-foot roll of film costs $68 and yields about 18 36-exposure rolls; so around $3.77 per roll. That is a nice savings over the individual 36-exposure cartridges at $5.99 each, as well as some inflation protection for the duration of the bulk roll.
12 comments:
These two examples look good, at least on a tablet. You tested the film in a camera with a top grade lens.
All my Retinas are excellent performers. I'm thinking it would be a good exercise to devote at least a month to them exclusively.
It's hard to argue with the economy of bulk loading.
I does seem to me unlikely that film prices are going to go back to reasonable prices. I do see bulk loaders pretty often in thrift stores, but they don't cost much new.
Film prices have gotten scary high. I love Kodak's Portra 400...but $16 a roll! Oh my! Even good old Tri-X is expensive these days. We bulk-loaded Kodak Plus-X back in my high school photography classes, but not sure I would have the patience for it now. However, if prices keep heading for the sky, I might have to learn some patience.
I was reluctant to use a bulk loader as I am kind of a klutz, but it is really a pretty simple process. I will likely try to have a couple different films available in the loaders, though I'm not sure I will talk myself into including color in the lineup.
I had found three bulk loaders in thrift stores in late 2021 and I'm glad I jumped into bulk loading when film manufacturers announced their 2022 price increases.
I stocked up with two bulk rolls of Ilford HP5 at $69/roll and two rolls of Arista (Fomapan) 200 at $52/roll and splurged on 30 rolls of new Fuji 200 then as well. I'm glad I did!
As of today on B&H, the Ilford is now going for $110/roll and the Arista is now at $63/roll.
Like you, I love the ability to make a short roll of quality film stock for camera testing.
I was pessimistic about film prices, but now I'm thinking the introduction of Kentmere in 120 might be a game changer.
Agreed. Until now, Foma/Arista/Holga/Shanghai were pretty much it for a budget 120 B&W under $7.00/roll. Now, Foma is running right at the $7.00/roll mark.
I've been a big fan of Kentmere 35mm film for a while now. I started shooting Fomapan 200 as my budget B&W stock when Kentmere supply tightened up about a year ago.
A quality 120 film stock for less than $7.00/roll? I hope they ramped up the production line, 'cause they're going to sell a bunch of that, especially judging from the test shots I've seen.
I got into Kentmere and PMK Pyro because of Rick Drawbridge's work on Photonet. I'll probably end up getting a bulk roll of it, but I did like the Arista in Rodinal and am looking forward to working with it for a while. My past favorite medium format combo was Acros in Rodinal, but I think that ship has sailed.
These images have a pleasant glow. I've recently bought 2 * 100 foot rolls of slightly expired XP2 Super, which should give 36 rolls (of 36 exp) for about £2.70 / $3.27 a roll. I'm going to be processing it in HC110 rather than its standard C41 method.
I didn't know HC110 would work with XP2. Will be interested is seeing what you get from it.
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