Minesix IIIS Bellows Replacement

[hilltime]

I have recently acquired a Minesix IIIS, 120 RF folder, which I have searched for over 20 years. I also have a Minesix 66 which piqued my desire to find the seemingly much rarer IIIS with it's 75/3.5 Zunow Zuminor lens. There is a bit of history about this model and how it became equipped with the Zunow optic, but my main concern and question is the replacement of the bellows. The camera is in wonderful condition but the bellows has deteriorated beyond repair and will need to be replaced.

Does anyone do this still within a reasonable price range? I will assume a bellows will have to be made and it seems there were back a number of years ago, a few on this forum who had the skill do such a thing. I know at one point it has been said the Ebay certo 6 might but I have little luck ever getting a response from him and have heard more cons than pros about his work.
I would welcome sending this camera to someone who could do the job and probably have a few more 120 (6X6) folders which could use a new bellows also. I'm also quite sure there are many other great cameras sitting on shelves waiting for this repair with no one seemingly interested in doing this.

With the price I have seen some of the Agfa Super Solinars and Speedex's going for, I can't imagine there isn't enough interest in this repair. My camera doesn't appear to be much different in construction than most all of these, so for anyone who has done this, it would seem relatively the same. I could be wrong, but if anyone knows of a service or individual who may be able to accomplish this, please let me know either as a response or a PM.
Regards,
Gary Hill

 

[Steve M.]

Are you sure that your bellows can't be patched? I have had excellent luck w/ this stuff. Just brush it on w/ a little paint brush and let it sit over night.

https://www.permatex.com/products/g...m-oil-resistance-rtv-silicone-gasket-maker-4/

If yours is too far gone, a donor camera is in order. The Zeiss Netter or Ikonta models, and the Agfa folders w/ the matte bellows (NOT the shiny ones) would be my recommendation. That would have to be cheaper than having a custom bellows made. The shutter end of the bellows is easy to get loose, not so the film end. This often requires a lot of disassembly to the camera, and that runs the labour costs up.

 

[mich rassena]

Are you sure that your bellows can't be patched? I have had excellent luck w/ this stuff. Just brush it on w/ a little paint brush and let it sit over night.

https://www.permatex.com/products/g...m-oil-resistance-rtv-silicone-gasket-maker-4/

If yours is too far gone, a donor camera is in order. The Zeiss Netter or Ikonta models, and the Agfa folders w/ the matte bellows (NOT the shiny ones) would be my recommendation. That would have to be cheaper than having a custom bellows made. The shutter end of the bellows is easy to get loose, not so the film end. This often requires a lot of disassembly to the camera, and that runs the labour costs up.

Thanks for this. I have two or three cameras I'd really like to use, but can't justify the expense of replacing the bellows.

 

[hilltime]

I have been investigating many different solutions to this problem. Many suggestions include this Permatex gasket material or a product know as Liquid Electrical tape. Others have used various combinations of substances like Elmer's Glue and black dye or other types of fabric paints.
Unfortunately, if this bellows had just a few holes, I would probably try these remedies, but this one has many holes and cracks throughout. It's very strange how some bellows seem to hold up over the tests of time while others like this excellent camera have fallen apart.

I probably have some donor cameras which could have at least much better bellows to use, but am reluctant to start tearing into a repair. I truly wish there was a service which could do this job.
Gary