Bulk loading calculator
Loading 35mm from a bulk roll? See how many rolls you'll get and the cost each.
Approx: a 36-exposure roll needs about 5.4 ft of film (incl. leader).
About this tool
Loading your own cassettes from a bulk roll cuts the cost per frame, but only if the numbers work out. Enter the length of the bulk roll and how many frames you want per cassette. The calculator tells you how many rolls you can load from that length, and the resulting cost per roll.
How to use it
- Enter the total length of your bulk film roll, in feet or metres.
- Enter the number of frames you want per loaded cassette, such as 24 or 36.
- Read how many rolls the bulk length yields and the cost per roll.
FAQ
Why do I get fewer rolls than the raw length suggests?
Each cassette loses film to the leader and to the frames wound onto the spool before the first shot. Longer leaders and more frames per roll both reduce the total count, so the tool accounts for the usable length, not just the total.
Does bulk loading really save money?
Usually yes, once you own a reusable bulk loader and cassettes. The cost per roll drops to the film alone, but factor in the one-off gear and the occasional cassette. The per-roll figure here reflects the film cost you enter.