[LargeFormat] Bellows Repair

[Richard Knoppow]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "philip lambert" <philip.lambert@ntlworld.com>
To: <largeformat@f32.net>
Sent: Tuesday, June 10, 2003 12:26 PM
Subject: Re: [LargeFormat] Bellows Repair


> Could a bellows that has split at the outside corner of a
fold be repaired
> by cutting out the entire section all round and glueing
the adjacent ends
> together. I mean joining folds  together that were
formerlt next but one to
> each other, so not quite the same size, as the bellows
taper towards the
> lens standard. PL
>
>
   I think you might have better luck by patching the split
with plastic and a good contact cement.
   I've never had much success using acrillic paint or any
of the other suggested cures for bellows pinholes. The
material does block the pinhole but does not withstand
flexing of the bellows.
   I've also found that leather bellows continue to develop
new holes once they have started to dry out or rot.
  Dick Sullivan likes to use a material called Elastoseal,
evidently sold as a patch for wet suits. I've never tried
it. I've also seen reports of good results using a similar
material sold for sealing roofs.
  I've had to replace bellows on two cameras. One is a
Calumet C-1 (the Green thing). The bellows were orinal issue
obtained from Calumet. The other is my 8x10 Agfa/Ansco. The
leather bellows which was light tight when I got the camera
began to disintegrate as soon is I began to use it. The new
bellows were made by Flexible Products in Florida. I do NOT
recommend them. While they were friendly and prompt the
workmanship left much to be desired. Nonethess, the bellows
are servicable and I use the camera frequently.
  There are a number of companies offering bellows. I have a
list of them if anyone is interested. The best from all
reports is English bellows, also the only one who will make
genuine leather bellows. I don't recomment leather. Its OK
for being authentic or for looks, but synthetic bellows are
far more rugged and long lasting.
  Its possible to make your own bellows but finding
materials may be difficult and its tedious. If you have ever
built a flying model airplane successfully you can build a
bellows.
---
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles, CA, USA
dickburk@ix.netcom.com