UberSquid
Member
I'm gearing up to make new bellows for the Ansco Viking and Speedex I'm working on. I thought I'd check to see if anyone else was in need of new bellows while I'm making them. I probably won't start work until mid January but I need to know how much material to purchase.
yukio
 
I've been procrastinating on replacing the bellows on a Super Baldax. This could be the kick in the pants I need. Please PM the details.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Brian Legge
Veteran
How are you making them? I have a Super Ikonta A in need of bellows. I've considered doing it myself but haven't before. I found some summaries but there didn't seem to be much in the way of material recommendations.
UberSquid
Member
That is part of what I'm working out right now. For the Ansco I'm using the liner of a photo paper bag. It's nice and shiny just like the original. For the others, I'm still shopping for materials and it will depend a bit on what I can find. I'm debating using shutter curtain material for the center layer and then broadcloth for the outer layers. I need to go to the fabric store with a micrometer and see what they have. (I'll bet that I'll be the first person they have seen with a micrometer shopping for fabric!) I've also thought about doing my own rubberized canvas for the middle layer. I'm also working on making a form to make new bellows for a Polaroid 800 that I'm working on converting to 4x5 so I'll have to pick up some vinyl if I want it to look authentic. Then again it may just be broadcloth as well.
The whole point is, once I'm set up to make two for myself I can knock out a few others for people that need them but can't justify $75 or more for a replacement bellows. I'm not sure of what I would have to charge for a set yet but I'm thinking it won't be more than $20 to cover my materials and shipping. Of course I'm always interested in trades... I just need to know how many people would like a cheap replacement bellows so I know how much material to purchase. Once I've made my final decision on materials I'll post here. More than likely I'll be doing black and nothing else but if someone really wants a different color I'd be willing to accommodate if you paid the extra cost of materials.
There are a lot of neat old cameras out there that aren't being used just because there is no source of replacement bellows for a reasonable price. Consider this my contribution to the cause. I'll post photos when I get the first set done.
The whole point is, once I'm set up to make two for myself I can knock out a few others for people that need them but can't justify $75 or more for a replacement bellows. I'm not sure of what I would have to charge for a set yet but I'm thinking it won't be more than $20 to cover my materials and shipping. Of course I'm always interested in trades... I just need to know how many people would like a cheap replacement bellows so I know how much material to purchase. Once I've made my final decision on materials I'll post here. More than likely I'll be doing black and nothing else but if someone really wants a different color I'd be willing to accommodate if you paid the extra cost of materials.
There are a lot of neat old cameras out there that aren't being used just because there is no source of replacement bellows for a reasonable price. Consider this my contribution to the cause. I'll post photos when I get the first set done.
UberSquid
Member
I'm waiting on a reply from Freestyle to see how thick this material is but if it is thin enough I'll be ordering a few yards.
http://www.freestylephoto.biz/260112-Blackout-Cloth-Light-Weight-1-Yard
No connection to Freestyle photo, just a customer.
http://www.freestylephoto.biz/260112-Blackout-Cloth-Light-Weight-1-Yard
No connection to Freestyle photo, just a customer.
Denverdad
Established
Interesting timing as I have been on the quest for bellows materials myself lately. And no, you're NOT the only one out there stalking the fabric store aisles with a micrometer in hand! 
My specific interest is related to a Kodak Monitor, although I understand that Vigilants and Tourists may be in the same family.
More generally though, I do think that there is a bit of an unfulfilled need for replacement bellows out there, for a number older folders.
My specific interest is related to a Kodak Monitor, although I understand that Vigilants and Tourists may be in the same family.
More generally though, I do think that there is a bit of an unfulfilled need for replacement bellows out there, for a number older folders.
jnoir
Well-known
I've been manufacturing my own bellows for MF folders and LF cameras for several years now
UberSquid
Member
I've been manufacturing my own bellows for MF folders and LF cameras for several years now
Very nice! I think you have a couple up on me... So far I've done three Ansco Vikings and a few Speedex Specials. It's really not hard to make a bellows, I don't understand why the cost is so high other than the fact that there just isn't much demand. I make all of my patterns out of Formica so once I'm set up for a specific size, whipping out a few more doesn't take very long and they are consistent.
You do very nice work.
UberSquid
Member
It's good to know that I'm not the only one freaking out the fabric store employees! I think they are getting used to me now though. This summer I was in with the micrometer and a postage scale. I make my own backpacking gear and lightweight is everything. I bought a ton of ripstop nylon to make light weight backpacking hammocks for my wife and I. Then there was the 13' x 10' tarp tent, stuff sacks and rain poncho. I'm thinking of using some nylon as the outer layer on a bellows, it would look really good with a new leatherette covering. I have a nice blue satin nylon that if matched I think would look good on a chromed folder.
The reason I decided to offer making bellows for any member on here is that I've gotten so much from this forum. One member sent me a Zorki 4 when I needed parts. Another member sent me the repair manual for a camera that I've been stuck working on. I've made trades and deals with many others so this was my way of giving back to the members of the forum who have given so much to me.
Jeremiah
The reason I decided to offer making bellows for any member on here is that I've gotten so much from this forum. One member sent me a Zorki 4 when I needed parts. Another member sent me the repair manual for a camera that I've been stuck working on. I've made trades and deals with many others so this was my way of giving back to the members of the forum who have given so much to me.
Jeremiah
Interesting timing as I have been on the quest for bellows materials myself lately. And no, you're NOT the only one out there stalking the fabric store aisles with a micrometer in hand!
My specific interest is related to a Kodak Monitor, although I understand that Vigilants and Tourists may be in the same family.
More generally though, I do think that there is a bit of an unfulfilled need for replacement bellows out there, for a number older folders.
jnoir
Well-known
Thanks!
Well, the cost depends mostly on which materials you're going to use... I do my bellows out of leather: with little care they will last decades. Yeah, they are not as cheap as others made of plastic and nylon, and I must travel overseas each time I need to stock, but I know they will not let me down unexpectedly. I found it just a matter of taste and the quality-price relationship you want to obtain.
People pays for this kind of thing (amazing, but they do... This one went for almost 100GBP s/h included...)
For patterns, I found that a combination of strong cardboard (made out of a packaging box) for the full size, and simple cardboard (made out of a package of cookies) for each section does the trick for me. Balsa wood in different thicknesses is also useful, and my "molds" are made out of it.
I have done mostly Agfas, lots of them, and a few dozens of others (Iskra, Balda, Plaubel, Welta, Fuji...). Once you get the knack, they're not that hard to do.
Seems that you are also getting on track, nevertheless don't hesitate to ask if I can be of any help
nighstar
eternal beginner
oh how i would love to give my Super Baldax some color.....!
but i'm scared i'll mess something up if i try to replace the bellows and since they seem to fine as they are, i guess i'll leave them black for now....
but i'm scared i'll mess something up if i try to replace the bellows and since they seem to fine as they are, i guess i'll leave them black for now....
jnoir
Well-known
Put some color on for taking great B&W photos... This is actually one of my favourite "mods"
This is actually one of my favourite "mods"
Ain't she pretty?
Black is always the safe bet
And another one in white is now on the workbench, I'll post results when completed... The bellows from these Fujica are a pain to work with, they are modern but are so badly made they simply disintegrate when retired, making the duplication process, well, a good mess
Black is always the safe bet
And another one in white is now on the workbench, I'll post results when completed... The bellows from these Fujica are a pain to work with, they are modern but are so badly made they simply disintegrate when retired, making the duplication process, well, a good mess
UberSquid
Member
Thanks!
Well, the cost depends mostly on which materials you're going to use... I do my bellows out of leather: with little care they will last decades. Yeah, they are not as cheap as others made of plastic and nylon, and I must travel overseas each time I need to stock, but I know they will not let me down unexpectedly. I found it just a matter of taste and the quality-price relationship you want to obtain.
People pays for this kind of thing (amazing, but they do... This one went for almost 100GBP s/h included...)
For patterns, I found that a combination of strong cardboard (made out of a packaging box) for the full size, and simple cardboard (made out of a package of cookies) for each section does the trick for me. Balsa wood in different thicknesses is also useful, and my "molds" are made out of it.
I have done mostly Agfas, lots of them, and a few dozens of others (Iskra, Balda, Plaubel, Welta, Fuji...). Once you get the knack, they're not that hard to do.
Seems that you are also getting on track, nevertheless don't hesitate to ask if I can be of any help
Thank you for the offer of assistance! I love the fact that everyone on here is so open with sharing their knowledge. I think I get more out of this forum than any other.
UberSquid
Member
Put some color on for taking great B&W photos...
Ain't she pretty?
Black is always the safe bet
And another one in white is now on the workbench, I'll post results when completed... The bellows from these Fujica are a pain to work with, they are modern but are so badly made they simply disintegrate when retired, making the duplication process, well, a good mess
Love the red but oh my god the black is sexy! What is that? I don't recognize the camera.
jnoir
Well-known
It's a Fujica GS645 Professional, a 6x4.5 folder introduced by 1983 or so
I _love_ mechanical folders, this one uses just two SR44-type batteries for the light meter.
I _love_ mechanical folders, this one uses just two SR44-type batteries for the light meter.
cooltouch
Established
Guys this is an interesting thread and it occurs to me that I might be able to get an answer to a question I've had from y'all. I have a Nikon PB-4 bellows with the PS-4 slide copy attachment. The PB-4's bellows are fine, but the small bellows in the PS-1 are totally shot -- like missing the bottom of them altogether. I can see no obvious way to dismount the bellows from the standards, thus I'm not sure how new ones would be attached. But if y'all might have a word or two of advice, or could perhaps tell me where I could have the PS-4 repaired, I'd be appreciative. Actually I wouldn't mind learning how to do this on my own, since I have an Agfa Isolette that will be needing new ones soon most likely and I have plans to acquire even more bellows-equipped cameras. In fact, one of my plans is to build my own 4x5 field camera and I'd like to do the bellows for it as part of the project.
randomm
Well-known
I would be interested in bellows for my Moskva 5, 6x9 camera. They don't leak, but are tired and interfere with the image slightly. I wonder if the bellows for Ansco Viking would fit my Moskva without modifications.... they should do, right? Both are with 105mm lens and 6x9...
How much would the cost be? Approximately?
How much would the cost be? Approximately?
donkee
Established
I would be interested in a replacement for my Grandmother's Kodak. Can you PM details when you got em?
Thanks!
Thanks!
jnoir
Well-known
Sorry for the bad news, but I'm afraid it is not that easy. Bellows are defined by three figures: lenght, rear size (for the part that joins to the body), and front size (for the part that joins the lens/shutter assembly).
Some times, bellows can be interchanged between different cameras (Agfa Isolette and, IIRC, Kodak Duo Six-20, are a notorious example). But, most of the times, they aren't. Bellows for an Isolette and bellows for a Super Isolette are different, for example. And the bellows on that Fujica wouldn't fit in a, say, Super Ikonta A.
randomm
Well-known
Hmm, I'm feeling lucky nevertheless. I'll take some measurements..!