BellowsReplacement for Minesix Super 66

hilltime

hilltime

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I am needing a bellows replacement for my latest Minesix Super 66. Anyone know of a reliable source either for the replacement bellows or someone who can do the whole job?
Regards,
Gary Hill:)
 
You could try Custom Bellows Ltd located in Birmingham GB. Received from them a real quality Agfa Bellows some weeks ago.

When you want to have a bellows for a camera which they don't know yet you have to send them the old bellows so they can make proper measurements.

Any idea if it's difficult to get the old bellows out of the Minesix ?
 
I don't know how difficult it will be removing the old bellows. I've been told it's not too bad with the right tools. There's the rub. I don't think a hack saw and a hammer qualify.
Gary Hill
 
You could ask FallisPhoto (another forum user). He has the right tools and much experience with folders. Send him a PM and ask.
 
hanskerensky said:
You could try Custom Bellows Ltd located in Birmingham GB. Received from them a real quality Agfa Bellows some weeks ago.

When you want to have a bellows for a camera which they don't know yet you have to send them the old bellows so they can make proper measurements.

Any idea if it's difficult to get the old bellows out of the Minesix ?
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Thanks, I'll contact them. I've ordered from the UK before, it takes a while but I've never had a problem.
 
charjohncarter said:
Thanks, I'll contact them. I've ordered from the UK before, it takes a while but I've never had a problem.
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I have. I ordered a bellows for a Welta Weltur. I sent the whole camera, so he could get accurate measurements. He dragged it out for three months and when the bellows and camera got here, it didn't fit (it was way off) and looked suspiciously like a NOS bellows. He asked that I send it back and he'd do another one, but that's $25 postage both ways. I'm going to be using Turner Bellows from now on.
 
hanskerensky said:
Hi Charles,

Are the Turner Bellows only from vynil or do they also have the leather ones ?
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I believe they are all vinyl. I wish they were cellulose, but I don't think anyone is still making that (at least not thin enough to make a bellows). If you want leather bellows, your best option is to make your own. Columbia Organ Leathers makes very thin leather splits that are suitable for bellows. You need to be careful with it though, since the stuff is as thin and fragile as tracing paper. Shutter curtain material makes the best bellows liner and the stiffeners are usually heavy craft paper or cut-up manilla file folders. Here are the best instructions for putting it all together that I know of: http://www.rolandandcaroline.co.uk/Making_Bellows_for_Isolette.pdf
 
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FallisPhoto said:
I have. I ordered a bellows for a Welta Weltur. I sent the whole camera, so he could get accurate measurements. He dragged it out for three months and when the bellows and camera got here, it didn't fit (it was way off) and looked suspiciously like a NOS bellows. He asked that I send it back and he'd do another one, but that's $25 postage both ways. I'm going to be using Turner Bellows from now on.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the Turner link, and the other information.
 
FallisPhoto said:
I believe they are all vinyl. I wish they were cellulose, but I don't think anyone is still making that (at least not thin enough to make a bellows). If you want leather bellows, your best option is to make your own. Columbia Organ Leathers makes very thin leather splits that are suitable for bellows. You need to be careful with it though, since the stuff is as thin and fragile as tracing paper. Shutter curtain material makes the best bellows liner and the stiffeners are usually heavy craft paper or cut-up manilla file folders. Here are the best instructions for putting it all together that I know of: http://www.rolandandcaroline.co.uk/Making_Bellows_for_Isolette.pdf
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I wonder where that Certo6 guy gets his bellows? Tightly held secret I suppose.
 
charjohncarter said:
Thanks for the Turner link, and the other information.
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You're welcome. Oh, wait; I didn't give the link, did I? http://www.turnerbellows.com/photographic_bellows.html
As long as I'm at it, here's the link for Columbia Organ Leathers: http://www.columbiaorgan.com/col/
Both MicroTools and (I think) Aki Asahi sell shutter curtain material: http://www.micro-tools.com/ http://aki-asahi.com/store/

charjohncarter said:
I wonder where that Certo6 guy gets his bellows? Tightly held secret I suppose.
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Yep. C6 isn't saying. After seeing some of his work, firsthand, and commenting on it in detail (seriously bad work, which I described and showed photos of), I wouldn't feel comfortable buying a bellows (or anything else) from him anyway.
 
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FallisPhoto said:
You're welcome. As long as I'm at it, here's the link for Columbia Organ Leathers: http://www.columbiaorgan.com/col/ and both MicroTools and (I think) Aki Asahi sell shutter curtain material: http://www.micro-tools.com/ http://aki-asahi.com/store/



Yep. C6 isn't saying. After seeing some of his work, firsthand, and commenting on it in detail (seriously bad work, which I described and showed photos of), I wouldn't feel comfortable buying a bellows (or anything else) from him anyway.
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Thanks for the further links, I read on his web site that he spends $30,000 on bellows per year. I just got the feeling that they are not made by him.
 
FallisPhoto said:
After looking at them, my best guess would be Ronald McDonald does them.
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I'm a bit disappointed about that ! After c6 never bothered to answer my e-mails asking how i could buy his bellows i thought maybe he wanted to keep his high-tech bellows out of my reach to protect his secrets.
 
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hanskerensky said:
I'm a bit disappointed about that ! After c6 never bothered to answer my e-mails asking how i could buy his bellows i thought maybe he wanted to keep his high-tech bellows out of my reach tp protect his secrets.
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Why would you want an electric blue bellows anyway? Next thing you know he'll be doing plaids, polkadots and paisley prints.
 
hanskerensky said:
I agree Scott ! Always wanted to walk the streets and atract crowds with fancy colored folders and, ofcourse, generate some jealousy amongst fellow folder users :D
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You may have your chance quite soon - I just need to find some decent leopard and zebra satin. I'd draw the line at chintz, naturally, though if that's what the client wants I can but try to find it.



For those who don't know me, I'm making bellows for the 6x6 Isolette/Speedex cams and you can contact me direct if you want more info. They're GB£29 each plus insured postage.

I'll put a note up elsewhere shortly guys, but I had to answer this! ;)
 
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