Bulk loader comparison: Advantages and disadvantages of popular models
The manual filling of 35mm film savit money in the long run and allows for individual roll lengths – provided you have the right bulk loathe. We compare the technical features of the most common models and show which loathe suits which requirements.
AP Bobinquick Junior: Compact metal body with counter and remaining film display
Photo: Photoimpex.de
Advantages:
- Precise counter for 1–36 pictures per roll $$ [6][27]
- Remaining film display displays remaining meters in bulk roll [6][27]
- Robust metal construction with ASA/ISO marker [6][12]
- Low film waste through short leader [9][17]
Disadvantages:
- High price (approx. 85–100 € vs. 50 € at Lloyd) [1][4]
- Complex handlingLight barrier must be manually locked [1][16]
- Narrow workspace during the cassette exchange [9]
Legacypro Lloyd 35mm: Plastic housing with crank and rotating scale
Photo: Kamerastore.com
Advantages:
- Simplest operation without movable light traps [2][7]
- Cheapest reloader (from 50 €) [4][12]
- Compact Design – fits in any camera bag [3][9]
- Minimal film waste through short leader [17][22]
Disadvantages:
- No counter – Estimate frame count via crank revolutions [7][16]
- Felt light slider can catch dust and cause scratches [9][22]
- Plastic housing prone to fractures in falls [3][9]
Watson models (100/66): Classic sheet metal loader with side crank
Photo: Lot's O Camera Stuff on eBay.com
Advantages:
- No felt – labyrinth-like light traps reduce scratch risk [9][26]
- Compatible with Nikon-AM/Leica-FILCA cassettes [9][25]
- Stable metal construction survives even hard impacts [3][34]
Disadvantages:
- Large volume housing (2× as big as Lloyd) [3][16]
- Long Leader wastes 1–2 frames per roll [17][22]
- Hard to obtain – mostly only used [9][29]
Alden 74: Rectangular design with yellow closure crank
Photo: Brian's Camera Shop: Photo Works Canada
Advantages:
- Automatic cassette closure for Leica/Nikon systems[8][25]
- 200-foot capacity for large projects[9][25]
- No light traps – dust-resisant design[4][25]
Disadvantages:
- Modification needed for FILCA cartridges[25]
- Complex Mechanics with 15 individual parts[8][25]
- Hard to find – Production discontinued[4][8]
LPL Dayroll Deluxe: Round loader with integrated data disc
Photo: Kamerastore.com
Advantages:
- Automatic light slider prevents scratches [26][31]
- Turntable logged film type/exposure numbers [10]
- Rock Design with metal gear transmission [31][36]
Disadvantages:
- Only available used (since the 1990s no longer produced) [31][36]
- Heavy cleaning in case of dust in the gears [26]
Comparison table
| Model | Price (new) | Counter | Film cut | Compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Bobinquick | 85–100 € | ✔️ | 0.5 Frame | Standard cassettes |
| Legacypro Lloyd | 50 € | ❌ | 1 Rahmen | Standard cassettes |
| Watson 100 | 70 € (used) | ❌ | 2 Rahmen | Special cassettes |
| Alden 74 | 120 € (used) | ✔️ | 1 Rahmen | Leica/Nikon |
| LPL Dayroll | 60 € (used) | ❌ | 0.5 Frame | Standard cassettes |
Conclusion
The AP Bobinquick Junior remains the measure of things for perfectionists [1][6], while the Legacypro Lloyd the budget alternative for occasional users is [2][7]. Those who own historical cameras should look for Alden 74 or Watson-Keep an eye out for loaders [25][9]. All models require care when loading – an accidentally opened lid ruins the entire bulk roll [3][16]. Otherwise, there are some rarer bulk loaders on the used market that are not listed in this article. Those who want to search for themselves can look for devices from Computol, Ducati, Kodak Day-Load, RF Hunter "Wasp", Kaiser, Ansco & more.
Tip: Clean the felt light sliders regularly with isopropyl alcohol and check used loaders for cracks in the housing [9][14].
And finally, a little self-promotion:
After portioning, the film must of course also be equipped with a tab for threading. We offer two templates for this purpose:
2. Long 10cm template specifically for LTM Leicas similar to model Ablon
Sources:
- Worth it oneself der expensive AP Bulk Loader? (Reddit)
- AP Bobinquick Junior Review (YouTube)
- Lloyd Bulk Loader Review (YouTube)
- Best Bulk Loader? (Reddit)
- Bulk Loading – Saves es really Money? (35mmc)
- AP 35mm Film Loader – Bobinquick Junior (Macodirect)
- LegacyPro Lloyds Bulk Loader + Free Film cartridge (Nijmegen passport photo film)
- Bulk Film Loading Tutorial (YouTube)
- Bulk Loader Showdown (Rangefinderforum)
- Bulk Film Loading for Bargain Hunters (Darkroomuser)
- AP Bobinquick Junior – Product page (Retrocamera)
- LegacyPro Lloyd 35mm Bulk Loader (Freestylephoto)
- Bulk Film Loading Tutorial (YouTube)
- Worth it oneself one Bulk Loader for Film? (Photrio)
- Discussion about Bulk Loader (Film and Darkroom User)
- Alden 74 Film Loader Review (YouTube)
- Best Bulk Loader? (Photrio)
- Discussion: Which Bulk Loader ist der best? (Dpreview)
- Best Bulk Loader Brand? (Rangefinderforum)
- Bulk Film Loading against rising Film Awards (Beyond The Aperture)
- LegacyPro Lloyd Bulk Loader Discussion (Photrio)
- Comparison von Bulk Film Loaders (Photo.net)
- Money save with Bulk Film Loading (DIYPhotography)
- Bulk Film Loading Instructions (Shoot It Mit Film)
- Alden 74 Modification for Bulk Loading (Merefilmphoto)
- LPL Dayroll Film Loader Manual (Photo.net)
- AP Bobinquick Junior Bulk Loader (Fotoimpex)
- LegacyPro 35mm Film Daylight Bulk Loader (Splendid)
- Bulk Loader on eBay (eBay EN)
- Best Film Loader? (Photo.net)
- Bulk Film Loader Foto (Flickr)
- Bulk Film Loader Accessories (Macodirect)
- LegacyPro Bulk Loader Product page (Digitaltruth)
- Aging von Watson Film Loader (Photo.net)
- Alden 74 Bulk Loading Tips (Merefilmphoto)
- Bulk Film Loader Interior view (Flickr)
- Bulk Film Loading for Beginner (YouTube)