Bulk loaders compared: advantages and disadvantages of popular models

Manually loading 35mm film saves money in the long run and allows for custom roll lengths, provided you have the right bulk loader. A 100-foot roll (30.5 meters) yields approximately 18 to 19 rolls of 36 exposures. Important to note: The very first loading of the 30.5-meter film roll into the loader must be done in complete darkness (e.g., in a changing bag). Only afterward can individual cartridges be loaded in daylight. We compare the technical characteristics of the most common models and show which loader suits which requirements.

At a glance

• 1. AP Bobinquick Junior
• 2. Legacypro Lloyd 35mm
• 3. Watson models (100/66)
• 4. Alden 74
• 5. LPL Dayroll Deluxe

Tutorial for beginners

Now that the basic principle of Bulk Loading is clear, let's take a detailed look at the hardware. Below, we introduce the 5 most common loaders on the market and compare their specific strengths and weaknesses so you can find the right model for your workflow.

1. AP Bobinquick Junior: plastic body with counter and remaining film indicator

 

Photo: Fotoimpex.de

Advantages:

• Precise counter for 1–36 frames per roll
• Remaining film indicator shows the meters remaining on the bulk roll [6][27]
• Rugged plastic construction with ASA/ISO marker [6][12]
• Least film waste thanks to a short leader (only approx. 0.5 frames) [9][17]
• Idiot-proof automatic light lock that opens when the crank is inserted and closes light-tight when it is removed

Disadvantages:

• High price (approx. €85–100 vs. €50 for the Lloyd) [1][4]
• Limited working space when changing cartridges [9]

 

Buy from Fotoimpex.

2. Legacypro Lloyd 35mm: plastic housing with crank

 

Photo: Kamerastore.com

Advantages:

• Easiest operation without moving light traps [2][7]
• Most affordable new loader (from €50) [4][12]
• Compact design: fits in any camera bag [3][9]
• Low film waste thanks to the short leader [17][22]

Disadvantages:

• No counter: Estimate the frame count by counting crank turns [7][16]
• Felt light gate can trap dust and cause scratches [9][22]
• Plastic housing prone to breaking when dropped [3][9]

Buy from Kamerastore.

3. Watson models (100/66): Classic Bakelite/plastic loader with side crank

Photo: Lot's O Camera Stuff on eBay.com

Advantages:

• No felt: Labyrinthine light traps reduce the risk of scratches [9][26]
• Compatible with standard cassettes as well as special cassettes (e.g., Nikon-AM/Leica-FILCA). The latter do not require scratch-prone felt lips and are opened and closed mechanically in the loader [9][25]

Disadvantages:

• Risk of breakage when dropped: The extremely brittle Bakelite shatters easily if the loader is dropped
• Large-volume housing (twice the size of the Lloyd) [3][16]
• Long leader wastes 1–2 frames per roll [17][22]
• Difficult to obtain: usually only available used [9][29]

Buy on eBay.

4. Alden 74: Rectangular design with yellow closing crank

Photo: Brian's Camera Shop: Foto Works Canada

Advantages:

• Automatic cassette closure for Leica/Nikon systems[8][25]
• 100-foot capacity (30.5 m) for standard bulk rolls[9][25]
• No felt light traps (uses a mechanical gate instead), dust-resistant design[4][25]

Disadvantages:

• Modification required for older FILCA cassettes (internal filing required); newer M cassettes (IXMOO), however, fit well[25]
• Complex mechanism with 15 individual parts[8][25]
• Difficult to find: Production discontinued[4][8]

5. LPL Dayroll Deluxe: Round loader with integrated data disk

Photo: Kamerastore.com

Advantages:

• Automatic light gate prevents scratches [26][31]
• Rotary dial records film type/exposure count [10]
• Classic design with a robust gear mechanism [31][36]

Disadvantages:

• Only available used (no longer produced since the 1990s) [31][36]
• Heavy cleaning required for dust in the gears [26]

Buy on Kamerastore.

Comparison table

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Conclusion

The AP Bobinquick Junior remains the benchmark for perfectionists [1][6], while the Legacypro Lloyd is the budget alternative for occasional users [2][7]. Anyone who owns historical cameras should look out for Alden 74 or Watson loaders [25][9]. All models require care when loading; accidentally opening the lid ruins the entire bulk roll [3][16]. Otherwise, there are a few rarer bulk loaders on the used market that are not listed in this article. Those who want to search themselves can look for devices from Computrol, Ducati, Kodak Day-Load, RF Hunter “Wasp”, Kaiser, Ansco & more.

Tip: Clean the felt light traps regularly. Clean them with a soft brush, gently dab them with adhesive tape, or blow them out with compressed air (no alcohol, as it dissolves the adhesive). Check used loaders for cracks in the housing [9][14]. Also note: Point-and-shoot cameras often expose film incorrectly in reusable cartridges due to the lack of a DX code (scanner barcode), unless special DX code stickers are used.

And finally, a little self-promotion:

After portioning, the film naturally also needs to be fitted with a tab for threading. In particular, older screw-mount Leicas (LTM) require a specially trimmed film leader (e.g., using an Ablon template) to prevent the film from tearing during transport. We offer two templates for this:

35mm Film Cutter (Short Template) (EUR 19,95) · 35mm LTM Film Cutter (Long Template) (from EUR 24,95)

Disclaimer: We sell some of the products that appear here. Even so, the article is meant first and foremost as help and not as a sales pitch.

Not sure which accessories you’re missing for your analog film? Find the right equipment, such as film cartridges, developing tanks, and chemicals, in our shop. Go to shop.

Sources

1. Is it worth it itself of expensive AP Bulk Loader? (Reddit)
2. AP Bobinquick Junior Review (YouTube)
3. Lloyd Bulk Loader Review (YouTube)
4. Best Bulk Loader? (Reddit)
5. Bulk Loading: Saves it really money? (35mmc)
6. AP 35mm Film Loader, Bobinquick Junior (Macodirect)
7. LegacyPro Lloyd's Bulk Loader + Free Film cartridge (Nijmegenpasfotofilm)
8. Bulk Film Loading Tutorial (YouTube)
9. Bulk Loader Showdown (Rangefinderforum)
10. Bulk Film Loading for Bargain hunters (Darkroomuser)
11. AP Bobinquick Junior, product page (Retrocamera)
12. LegacyPro Lloyd 35mm Bulk Loader (Freestylephoto)
13. Bulk Film Loading Tutorial (YouTube)
14. Is it worth it itself a Bulk Loader for Film? (Photrio)
15. Discussion about Bulk Loader (Film and Darkroom User)
16. Alden 74 Film Loader Review (YouTube)
17. Best Bulk Loader? (Photrio)
18. Discussion: Which is the best Bulk Loader is of best? (Dpreview)
19. Best Bulk Loader Brand? (Rangefinderforum)
20. Bulk Film Loading against rising Film prices (Beyond The Aperture)
21. LegacyPro Lloyd Bulk Loader Discussion (Photrio)
22. Comparison by Bulk Film Loaders (Photo.net)
23. money save with Bulk Film Loading (DIYPhotography)
24. Bulk Film Loading Instructions (Shoot It With Film)
25. Alden 74 Modification for Bulk Loading (Merefilmphoto)
26. LPL Dayroll Film Loader Manual (Photo.net)
27. AP Bobinquick Junior Bulk Loader (Fotoimpex)
28. LegacyPro 35mm Film Daylight Bulk Loader (Splendid)
29. Bulk Loader on eBay (eBay DE)
30. Best Film Loader? (Photo.net)
31. Bulk Film Loader Photo (Flickr)
32. Bulk Film Loader Accessories (Macodirect)
33. LegacyPro Bulk Loader Product page (Digitaltruth)
34. Aging by Watson Film Loader (Photo.net)
35. Alden 74 Bulk Loading Tips (Merefilmphoto)
36. Bulk Film Loader Interior view (Flickr)
37. Bulk Film Loading for Beginner (YouTube)