Medium format bulk roll ?

e905591s · 3rd November 2003

Hi all,

I chanced upon someone selling some not so common films. It's a Kodak Panatomic X aerial film. It comes as a 5 inch by 500 feet roll and the seller claims that it can be rolled into 120 rolls, many many rolls, I may add ! I did some web research and found that this Panatomic X is a old thick emulsion, high silver content, high resolution and fine grain film, which seems like a wonderful film for landscape shooting with big enlargment ! People compares this Panatomic X favourably to Agfa APX25 or even Kodak TechPan.

The questions is, is it really possible to splice the big roll down and roll into used 120 spool+paper backing ? Has anyone here done it before ? Or am I nutz to even start thinking of this ? Would really appreciate any pointers. Thanks.

e905591s

chyeo · 4th November 2003

sounds interesting. hope someone here has the answer...

ratboy · 17th November 2003

don't know about 120
but wouldn't it be easier to just roll it onto
a spool as 220 film with no paper backing ?

not that i tried it before
btw, how much are they selling the film ?
is there a tread i can read : )

Thanks
Lam

e905591s · 17th November 2003

Hi Lam,

I would agree that it's easier to just spool the bulk roll into 220 instead of 120. But I had no choice because my camera can use only 120. Anyway, I saw the deal on eB*y. Last check, the smaller bulk roll (500ft) has been sold out. There's only the bigger bulk roll left (2000ft !!), which I think it's kinda too much to swallow unless a few people are willing to share locally. I was quoted about USD150 incl shipping & handling for the 500 ft roll, so it's very cheap compared to factory packaged 120 roll.

Just to sidetrack a bit. This film has caused me to even seriously consider going straight to 5x7 largeformat if not for the exorbitant prices of the lenses ! Afterall it's definately easier to just measure 7 inches and cut pieces of 5x7 film, in the dark.

e905591s

ratboy · 17th November 2003

hmm 5x7 wow

I occasionally shoot 4x5,
shooting sheet film is totally different
You will never ( within reasons )be able to finish
the row of 5000ft cause you just don't shoot that many
shots when shooting sheet film.
Cause you can only carry so many film holders on a outdoor
shoot ...

I mostly shoot my high volume stuff using a roll film
holder...
getting lazy to load the 4x5 holders : )

Lam

Ansel · 18th November 2003

Originally Posted by e905591s

Afterall it's definately easier to just measure 7 inches and cut pieces of 5x7 film, in the dark.

e905591s

Be careful not to cut your fingers in the dark, since you can't even see your hands. It has to be total darkness.

Have thought about this before but good sense got the better of me. How much b/w film do you think you need? You are better off getting nearly expired or just expired rolled film, as long as it's not Ilford.

e905591s · 18th November 2003

Haha, thanks for the concern. I figure that if somehow I really get myself into this bulk film thingy, I better come up with some simple jig to slice the bulk roll ( like what the Minox people do....).

Anyway, like Ansel mentioned, I probably will never finish shooting all the bulk roll. But I am just wondering where can I get short/post dated film, especially 120 stuff, at cheap price ? And why not Ilford ? Care to share some insights ? Thanks

e905591s

Ansel · 19th November 2003

Originally Posted by e905591s

And why not Ilford ? Care to share some insights ? Thanks

e905591s

What I meant was, expired Ilford 120 film. Check this thread on Photo.net:

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-...?msg_id=005q6v

e905591s · 19th November 2003

OOpsss !! I have a brick of that expired Delta100 in my fridge too ! Also told by the seller that it's stored properly. Guess will have to try it out to see if I can the same "Singapore snowing" effect or not.

e905591s

e905591s · 21st November 2003

Ok, let's come back to the original topic.

While I can't seem to find anymore 500ft panatomic X roll, I found that the seller is also selling 9.5"x125ft Kodak Plus-X aerial film. Estimated cost, including courier shipping to Singapore will be about USD100 for one roll. I wonder if anyone here might be interested in getting a roll or two for their own use, so as too spread out the shipping cost a little (USD40 for 1 roll, maybe USD50 for 2 ?). Do post here or PM me for any kind of discussions.

Just to shed some light, this Plus X is similar to normal consumer Plus X you find on the shelf, with two important differences (other than the size, of course). First, they have ESTAR base, instead of normal acetate base. ESTAR base supposedly gives much improved dimension stability compared to acetate, hence a flatter film. Secondly, since it's an aerial film, it has extended red response which helps cutting through haze and other atmospheric conditions.

With this size of bulk roll, I figure that you can easily cut pieces of 8x10, 5x7 and other smaller sheet films out of it. And of course cut into strips to be rolled as 120/220 too. I guess it's an economical way to shoot 8x10 and 5x7 (SL)LF B/W this way, isn't it ?

e905591s

p/s (SL) = Slightly Larger.......

Ansel · 21st November 2003

Yup. I have gone that way before. The Plus-X is definitely better because it has got higher ISO rating, I believe is between 125 and 200. Problem is the with is 9.5 inch, which makes it even more difficult to cut to whatever size you need. I believe it is perforated too, like those sprocket holes on the sides of 35mm film, which is not a problem.

Yes, it is very cheap per sheet when you divide by the number of sheets of 8x10, 5x7, 4x5 or whatever, if and only IF you can find a way to effectively and safely and cleanly cut the film to your required dimensions.

When you can solve the cutting problem, let me know and I'll join you and buy a roll from Mr Foto.

StreetShooter · 22nd November 2003

Cut two pieces of fairly stiff cardboard to the size you want.

Tape them together along one edge to make a hinge, so that they can open or close like the covers of a book.

In the dark, insert your film until it is against the hinge, and protruding slightly from the other edges. Close the "book" tightly.

Cut along the edges of the cardboard, using either scissors or a paper cutter.

Viola! Your film is sheet cut.

PS Cut some for me, hor?

e905591s · 30th November 2003

This has nothing much to do with the original intend of this thread. But read on.....

I have finally gotten around to develop a roll of my expired Ilford Delta100 (expired since Nov 2001, but claimed to be properly stored) taken in BG yesterday.

Lo and behold, BG's partially cloudy sky was SNOWING..... just like what the link posted by Ansel shows ! So I guess there is indeed something wrong with the expired film. So ,please take note if you are offered expired 120 Delta 100. Take it only if you are after some special effect for the Christmas festive seasons....

e905591s

Ansel · 1st December 2003

This problem seems to happen only to Ilford brand expired 120 format films, due to the fact that there's a backing paper. It also happens to the lot of expired XP2 super 120 which I also have, although not that severe. The "snow" or "hail" that appeared is actually the pattern of the backing paper imprinted on the emulsion. Definitely an coating problem.

Thankfully, the expired 35mm rolls that I also happen to have are OK. Phew!

3rd November 2003	#1
e905591s Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 52	Medium format bulk roll ? Hi all, I chanced upon someone selling some not so common films. It's a Kodak Panatomic X aerial film. It comes as a 5 inch by 500 feet roll and the seller claims that it can be rolled into 120 rolls, many many rolls, I may add ! I did some web research and found that this Panatomic X is a old thick emulsion, high silver content, high resolution and fine grain film, which seems like a wonderful film for landscape shooting with big enlargment ! People compares this Panatomic X favourably to Agfa APX25 or even Kodak TechPan. The questions is, is it really possible to splice the big roll down and roll into used 120 spool+paper backing ? Has anyone here done it before ? Or am I nutz to even start thinking of this ? Would really appreciate any pointers. Thanks. e905591s

30th November 2003	#13
e905591s Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 52	expired Ilford Delta100 This has nothing much to do with the original intend of this thread. But read on..... I have finally gotten around to develop a roll of my expired Ilford Delta100 (expired since Nov 2001, but claimed to be properly stored) taken in BG yesterday. Lo and behold, BG's partially cloudy sky was SNOWING..... just like what the link posted by Ansel shows ! So I guess there is indeed something wrong with the expired film. So ,please take note if you are offered expired 120 Delta 100. Take it only if you are after some special effect for the Christmas festive seasons.... e905591s

4th November 2003	#2
chyeo Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Yishun Posts: 2,563	sounds interesting. hope someone here has the answer...

17th November 2003	#3
ratboy Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 702	don't know about 120 but wouldn't it be easier to just roll it onto a spool as 220 film with no paper backing ? not that i tried it before btw, how much are they selling the film ? is there a tread i can read : ) Thanks Lam

18th November 2003	#7
e905591s Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 52	Haha, thanks for the concern. I figure that if somehow I really get myself into this bulk film thingy, I better come up with some simple jig to slice the bulk roll ( like what the Minox people do....). Anyway, like Ansel mentioned, I probably will never finish shooting all the bulk roll. But I am just wondering where can I get short/post dated film, especially 120 stuff, at cheap price ? And why not Ilford ? Care to share some insights ? Thanks e905591s

19th November 2003	#9
e905591s Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 52	OOpsss !! I have a brick of that expired Delta100 in my fridge too ! Also told by the seller that it's stored properly. Guess will have to try it out to see if I can the same "Singapore snowing" effect or not. e905591s

21st November 2003	#10
e905591s Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 52	Ok, let's come back to the original topic. While I can't seem to find anymore 500ft panatomic X roll, I found that the seller is also selling 9.5"x125ft Kodak Plus-X aerial film. Estimated cost, including courier shipping to Singapore will be about USD100 for one roll. I wonder if anyone here might be interested in getting a roll or two for their own use, so as too spread out the shipping cost a little (USD40 for 1 roll, maybe USD50 for 2 ?). Do post here or PM me for any kind of discussions. Just to shed some light, this Plus X is similar to normal consumer Plus X you find on the shelf, with two important differences (other than the size, of course). First, they have ESTAR base, instead of normal acetate base. ESTAR base supposedly gives much improved dimension stability compared to acetate, hence a flatter film. Secondly, since it's an aerial film, it has extended red response which helps cutting through haze and other atmospheric conditions. With this size of bulk roll, I figure that you can easily cut pieces of 8x10, 5x7 and other smaller sheet films out of it. And of course cut into strips to be rolled as 120/220 too. I guess it's an economical way to shoot 8x10 and 5x7 (SL)LF B/W this way, isn't it ? e905591s p/s (SL) = Slightly Larger.......

21st November 2003	#11
Ansel Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Land Downunder Posts: 2,069	Yup. I have gone that way before. The Plus-X is definitely better because it has got higher ISO rating, I believe is between 125 and 200. Problem is the with is 9.5 inch, which makes it even more difficult to cut to whatever size you need. I believe it is perforated too, like those sprocket holes on the sides of 35mm film, which is not a problem. Yes, it is very cheap per sheet when you divide by the number of sheets of 8x10, 5x7, 4x5 or whatever, if and only IF you can find a way to effectively and safely and cleanly cut the film to your required dimensions. When you can solve the cutting problem, let me know and I'll join you and buy a roll from Mr Foto.

22nd November 2003	#12
StreetShooter Moderator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Katong Posts: 4,702	Cut two pieces of fairly stiff cardboard to the size you want. Tape them together along one edge to make a hinge, so that they can open or close like the covers of a book. In the dark, insert your film until it is against the hinge, and protruding slightly from the other edges. Close the "book" tightly. Cut along the edges of the cardboard, using either scissors or a paper cutter. Viola! Your film is sheet cut. PS Cut some for me, hor?

1st December 2003	#14
Ansel Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Land Downunder Posts: 2,069	This problem seems to happen only to Ilford brand expired 120 format films, due to the fact that there's a backing paper. It also happens to the lot of expired XP2 super 120 which I also have, although not that severe. The "snow" or "hail" that appeared is actually the pattern of the backing paper imprinted on the emulsion. Definitely an coating problem. Thankfully, the expired 35mm rolls that I also happen to have are OK. Phew!