Fuji GS645 Bellows

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v3cron

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I know this has been covered, but the usual advice no longer appears to apply. I just spoke with Frank at CameraWiz, and he is no longer able to get replacement bellows for this camera. He also said that the Chinese replacements don't fit properly.

I just picked up this camera on the cheap in Japan, and have some leaks. Anyone know a source for the bellows? If I find one, Frank will still put them on, but first things first. Thanks.
 
Having spoken to him about the same things, I get the sense that Frank does not like to work on these cameras. His comment was that the aftermarket bellows make the camera difficult to close properly.

He thought the Chinese ones were too thick, but I measured out the visible parts of the bellows on camera and the Chinese replacement, and the thickness seems to be very close (just under 5mm). The one thing I can't tell is whether the number of folds is right (at least without tearing the camera apart. Plenty of people on Ebay seem to think that the Chinese ones work (though they reek of a gasoline-smelling glue - which I am told dissipates).

I have a GS645 and a current set of Ebay Chinese bellows (received a few days ago) in repair now; I'll let you know what I hear about the fit of the Chinese ones. If they don't fit, I'll have the old Fuji bellows used as a new pattern. The Fuji no doubt uses a synthetic to cut the thickness, and that's the root of the problem.

Dante
 
Thanks for the information, everyone!

Dante - definitely let me know how that works out. It's a nice camera that I'd like to salvage if possible.
 
I can't find it now, but about a year ago, someone listed a US company that made all kinds of bellows, mostly for industrial use, but were also willing to do cameras. They even offered to do the replacement themselves if I sent the camera. I was asking for my 8x10, but haven't really committed to using it yet, so I didn't send it off. Maybe someone remembers them and you could contact them to see what they say.
 
cbphoto said:
Did you install them yourself? Frank doesn't want to use those, and my local Japanese shop won't touch them either. Any recommendations for people to install them?
Click to expand...
Yes, I did. Actually it's not too difficult. All you need is to unscrew 8 screws (4 red and 4 green, see the figure), replace an old belows with new ones, and fix it with the screws.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b275/Paolo_Cocoa/Rangefinders/GS645_back.jpg~original

It is easy to unscrew all 8 screws, and it is easy to screw back red screws. But it is not so easy with green. But you can do it if one has long and flexible fingers and a proper small screwdriver. Another way to do that is to remove a lens. But I have no experience in removing the lens
 
paolo said:
Yes, I did. Actually it's not too difficult. All you need is to unscrew 8 screws (4 red and 4 green, see the figure), replace an old belows with new ones, and fix it with the screws.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b275/Paolo_Cocoa/Rangefinders/GS645_back.jpg~original

It is easy to unscrew all 8 screws, and it is easy to screw back red screws. But it is not so easy with green. But you can do it if one has long and flexible fingers and a proper small screwdriver. Another way to do that is to remove a lens. But I have no experience in removing the lens
Click to expand...

Thanks. I found a local shop that will do it for $85 (I supply the bellows). That's worth it for me, as I am not too handy.
 
awbphotog said:
I have been in the same boat with Frank Marshman. I want him to repair my GS645, but he says bellows are hard to source. I bought these:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fuji-645-Bellows-/111634893744?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item19fdf54bb0

They arrived and look great, and are made by Custom Bellows Ltd. in the UK. I have yet to send the camera to Frank as I'm awaiting his response, but I'm hoping they will fit.

Andy
Click to expand...

Thanks. That didn't come up in my search (I search GS645 rather than just 645). I went ahead and ordered the Hong Kong version, so we'll see what happens.
 
bringing back this thread from the grave!

has anyone gotten one of the bellows that are currently available on the auction site? would you recommend it?

$196.82 from japan (not sure where it's made): http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Bellows...083976?hash=item4b1cb3ab08:g:3B8AAOSwjL5ZJXz~

$77.90 from the uk (maybe custom bellows makes them): http://www.ebay.com/itm/Replacement...487599?hash=item51ed2cce6f:g:mXgAAOSw-CpX-o-0

$69.99 from china: http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Bellows...590534?hash=item3f25a63a46:g:hocAAOSw4A5Y1hsR
 
If anyone has problems with the U.K. bloke, I have some old friends back there who can find and break his legs if the bloke screws you over, for a reasonable fee, usually they find an amicable solution before the bones crack, then after that he owes them !!!!!!!
 
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