Kodak ReadyLoad Filmholder Review

Large format film does not come in canisters ready for loading. It, instead, comes in sheets that have to be loaded into rectangular film-holders in complete darkness. This can be a great pain, so, it was great news when Kodak introduced a system that allowed the user to load film in daylight. Unfortunately, Kodak's system was plagued by failures, most notably light-leaks. Kodak released new versions of its "Readyload" holder system, proclaiming with each incarnation that all problems had been fixed. And, of course, they weren't. This brief review is of the newest version of the holder, the single-sheet Readyload without Graflok grooves. I bought this holder after reading some favourable reviews by photographers who claimed that Kodak, with this version, had indeed solved its problems. Uh huh.

Let us get some perspective first. Large format film is expensive to buy and to process. Taking pictures in large format requires a lot of effort and, equipment is not cheap to buy. I send film to the U.S. to process every month or so. Needless to say, failures of any kind in the system chain are extremely aggravating. So far, the only part of my system to fail is, you guessed it, the Kodak Readyload holder. Consider one of my latest pictures using the holder below:


That, my friends, is a blank, unexposed piece of film. After toiling up and down the countryside, at great risk, for weeks collecting shots, this is my reward at the end.

Readyload film is protected in a light-tight cardboard sleeve. The sleeve, with film inside, is pushed into the Readyload holder. The film sheet is gripped by the holder. The user then pulls the sleeve to reveal the film, ready to be exposed, in the holder. Unfortunately, the holder fails to grip the film at least 15% to 25% of the time. I have to feel the cardboard sleeve when I pull it outwards to determine if the film is still inside. Sometimes it is difficult to be sure whether the film is present or not. I lost about 15 sheets of film before I realised what was happening. Are there any more problems with the holder? Behold! Another picture taken with the holder:


Eeeek! Light-leaks! Specifically, a light-leak from the opening in the holder through which the film is inserted. I am still not certain why these leaks occur. They are altogether random and, thankfully, rare.

At this point I contacted Kodak about the problems. I received a courteous reply from Kodak's Puerto Rico head office. The manager there said that the Kodak representative in Trinidad, Ms. Rhea Singh of Alston's Marketing, would be contacting me as soon as possible. She never did. Subsequent to this, I opened up the holder to try to adjust the hook that grasps the film. I was truly amazed at the sight inside, namely, the sight of a pile of junk. "No wonder it doesn't work!", I said to myself. I did adjust the springs inside and the holder works a bit better now.

I have received advice from other photographers on how to try to work around some of the holder problems. If the holder cost $20., I would be happy to accept compromises. It does not, however. It costs $100. USD. I find the performance of this product and Kodak's service unacceptable and, as such, I recommend users buy into Fuji's Quickload system, which works. Kodak film is incompatible with the Fuji holder, however.