Can we talk about how I switched from expensive single-use film to bulk rolling, and my first try gave me 14 blank frames?

Lily Murphy · 2026-09-25T00:40:04.50894+00:00

Bought a roll of 100 feet of HP5 for $89 at a shop in Kansas City last month. The guy behind the counter kept saying I would mess up the first few rolls. I ignored him. Loaded my bulk loader on the kitchen table, spooled 5 cassettes, and shot a test roll at a friend's birthday party. Got the negatives back and 14 frames were pure black. The film had slipped out of the spool when I cranked the loader too fast. Two other rolls had light leaks from the felt lip not sealing right. I was ready to drive back and return the whole thing. Then a guy on a film forum told me to tape the cassette lid shut with gaffer tape and spool slower, one turn at a time. Did that on my next batch and got 36 clean frames per roll. Now I pay about $4 a roll instead of $9. Still hate cutting my fingers on the spool edges though. Anyone got a trick for keeping the tape from gumming up the cassette when it's humid out?

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Can we talk about how I switched from expensive single-use film to bulk rolling, and my first try gave me 14 blank frames? | Analog Photo Fails - Librear