Bulk Loading Film

Bulk loading means purchasing film in long rolls (typically 30.5m/100ft) and loading your own 35mm cassettes. For regular shooters, it can cut film costs significantly.

This guide covers when bulk loading makes sense, what equipment you need, and how to do it reliably.

Is Bulk Loading Worth It?

The Cost Calculation

A 100ft roll of Ilford HP5 Plus costs roughly the same as 8-10 factory-loaded rolls. But you get approximately 18-20 rolls of 36 exposures from that length.

Approximate savings:

• Factory rolls: 10 rolls × £7 = £70
• Bulk roll: £60 + cassettes (reusable)
• Savings: ~15-50% depending on film and cassette reuse

Use our film cost calculator to compare your specific situation.

When It Makes Sense

Bulk loading is worthwhile if you:

• Shoot 15+ rolls of the same film annually
• Prefer one or two specific B&W stocks
• Want custom roll lengths (12, 18, 24, or 36 exposures)
• Enjoy the process and self-reliance

When It Doesn't

Bulk loading may not make sense if you:

• Shoot varied film stocks
• Shoot mainly colour (limited bulk availability)
• Only shoot a few rolls per year
• Want the convenience of grab-and-go

Films Available in Bulk

Commonly available:

• Ilford HP5 Plus
• Ilford FP4 Plus
• Ilford Delta 100, 400
• Kodak Tri-X 400
• Kodak T-Max 100, 400
• Fomapan 100, 200, 400
• Kentmere 100, 400

Not typically available in bulk:

• Most colour negative films
• Most slide films
• Specialty and experimental films

Equipment You Need

Bulk Loader

The bulk loader holds the 100ft roll in a light-tight chamber and lets you pull film into cassettes in daylight (after initial loading in darkness).

Types:

Daylight loader (Lloyd's type): Most common. Load the bulk roll in darkness once; thereafter, load cassettes in daylight. Features a frame counter.

Simple rewind loaders: Basic units that work but may lack counters or be harder to use.

Quality matters: Cheap loaders can scratch film or have light leaks. Watson, Lloyd, or AP loaders are reliable choices.

Cassettes

Reusable cassettes: Plastic or metal cassettes designed for repeated loading. Better DX coding options (or lack thereof).

Recycled factory cassettes: Some photographers reuse factory cassettes. This requires prying open the end cap carefully and re-crimping after loading. More fiddly and risk of light leaks.

Bobbin-style cassettes: Some cassettes have removable cores that make loading easier.

For beginners, buy purpose-made reloadable cassettes. They're easier and more reliable.

Changing Bag or Darkroom

Loading the bulk roll into the loader must be done in total darkness. Options:

Changing bag: Portable, works anywhere. Get a large one with arm holes that seal well.

Darkroom: If you develop film at home, you already have a dark space.

Dark closet: A completely light-proof room works. Test by sitting in darkness for 5 minutes—your eyes adjust, and any light leaks become visible.

Scissors

To cut the film leader and tail. Regular household scissors work fine.

Labels

Label your cassettes with film type and loading date. You can buy pre-printed labels, use masking tape, or write directly on plastic cassettes.

Loading the Bulk Loader

This step happens once per 100ft roll, in total darkness.

Before You Start (In Light)

1. Open the loader and examine its parts
2. Understand how film routes through the loader
3. Practice the motion without film
4. Ensure the loader chamber is clean

In Total Darkness

1. Open the film can: 100ft rolls come in metal cans or plastic tubs. Pry open the lid.

2. Find the film end: The film is wound emulsion-in. Locate the end without unspooling too much.

3. Thread into loader: Route the film through the light trap and attach to the loader's take-up spool or chamber.

4. Close the loader: Ensure all light traps are engaged and the lid is secure.

5. Emerge into light: The bulk film is now in the light-tight chamber. You can load cassettes in daylight.

Loading Cassettes

With the bulk loader loaded, you can now load individual cassettes in daylight.

The Process

1. Prepare cassette: Open a reloadable cassette and ensure the spool is oriented correctly.

2. Attach film to spool: Thread the film leader through the slot in the cassette spool. Some photographers tape it; others use the clip mechanism.

3. Close cassette: Put the cassette together, ensuring the spool rotates freely.

4. Attach to loader: Connect the cassette to the loader's winding mechanism.

5. Wind film: Turn the crank, counting frames. For 36 exposures, wind about 39-40 clicks to account for leader and tail.

6. Cut film: Open the cutting slot and snip the film. Alternatively, some loaders have built-in cutters.

7. Retrieve cassette: Remove the loaded cassette. The film end should be inside or have a short tail.

Cutting a Leader

If your camera requires a leader for loading (most do), you'll need to trim one:

• Leave about 10cm protruding from the cassette
• Cut the characteristic tapered leader shape
• Or use a leader cutter tool for consistent results

Some photographers load with the leader inside and use a leader retriever tool before shooting.

Frame Count Calculations

How much film per cassette?

Add extra for leader and tail (about 15-20cm total). Better to have slightly too much than run out before frame 36.

From a 100ft Roll

A 100ft (30.5m) roll yields approximately:

• 18 rolls of 36 exposures
• 20 rolls of 24 exposures
• Many more short test rolls

Storage and Organisation

Loaded Cassettes

Store loaded cassettes in:

• Original plastic canisters (if using reloadable cassettes)
• Film archive boxes
• Zip-lock bags with desiccant for humid climates

Keep in a cool, dark place. Refrigeration is good but not essential for B&W film used within months.

Labelling

Always label cassettes with:

• Film type (HP5, Tri-X, etc.)
• ISO (especially if you'll push/pull)
• Loading date

Some photographers number cassettes to track batch consistency.

Tracking the Bulk Roll

Keep notes on how much film remains in the bulk loader. When you load the last few rolls, you may get short rolls—useful for tests but not for important shoots.

Troubleshooting

Light Leaks

Symptoms: Fogging on negatives, especially at edges or start of roll.

Causes:

• Loader not fully closed
• Damaged cassette light trap
• Loading in insufficiently dark conditions

Solutions:

• Inspect loader seals
• Test cassettes before use
• Use a proper changing bag

Scratches

Symptoms: Continuous lines along the length of negatives.

Causes:

• Dirt or debris in loader or cassette
• Damaged felt light trap in cassette
• Forcing film through misaligned parts

Solutions:

• Clean loader with blower brush
• Replace worn cassettes
• Check film path is smooth

Film Jams

Symptoms: Film won't wind or tears inside loader.

Causes:

• Film not attached to cassette spool properly
• Loader spool binding
• Film twisted or kinked

Solutions:

• In darkness, open loader and reset
• Clean and lubricate loader mechanism
• Ensure smooth film path

Inconsistent Frame Counts

Symptoms: Frames run out before expected, or excess film at the end.

Causes:

• Counter inaccurate
• Film slipping on spool
• Inconsistent winding

Solutions:

• Calibrate by test-loading and measuring
• Ensure film is securely attached to spool
• Wind at consistent speed

Advanced Tips

Custom Roll Lengths

Bulk loading lets you make any length you want:

Short rolls (12-18 frames): Great for testing new cameras, bracketing experiments, or when you want to develop quickly.

Standard rolls (24-36 frames): Normal shooting.

Longer rolls (40+ frames): Some cameras accept longer rolls. Useful if you're shooting continuously.

DX Coding

DX coding is the barcode pattern on 35mm cassettes that tells cameras what ISO the film is. Pre-loaded cassettes have this; bulk-loaded cassettes often don't, so you may need to set ISO manually.

Factory cassettes have DX bar codes that tell cameras the film ISO. Reloadable cassettes may not.

Options:

• Set ISO manually on your camera
• Use DX-coded reloadable cassettes
• Apply DX stickers to plain cassettes

If your camera requires DX coding, ensure your cassettes are compatible.

Sharing Bulk Rolls

Some photography groups buy bulk rolls together to share costs. One person loads for everyone, or the roll gets passed around with careful tracking of remaining length.

Summary

• Bulk loading saves 15-50% on film costs for regular shooters
• You need a loader, cassettes, changing bag, and scissors
• Load the bulk roll into the loader in total darkness once
• Load individual cassettes in daylight thereafter
• A 100ft roll yields approximately 18 rolls of 36 exposures
• Label everything—film type, ISO, and date
• Clean equipment regularly to avoid scratches and jams
• Not practical for colour film or occasional shooters

Bulk loading connects you more directly to the material of film photography. Beyond the cost savings, there's satisfaction in handling the raw material and creating exactly what you need for each shoot.