Old Folder - Light Leak!

[Ash]

Well it looks like I've hit another damn obstacle.

The first camera - Zeiss - was fine....the second camera - Ernemann - looks like it has light leaks!

Of course the bellows felt rigid and degraded when I first looked at them, but the working shutter and solid body had me hoping!



The bottom of each 6x9 frame (so the top of the camera if we reverse everything) shows spikey lines, almost cross-hatched.


From that description, is there a chance it's simply a loose join to the body? or is there a chance the WHOLE bellows will need replacing?



the bellows look tired and worn anyway, and I would like to use it for taking photo's so I've no problem getting new bellows, but is there a site on the internet which can provide small-scale (medium format folding camera) bellows?

I'll have a scan in an hour or two once the film dries and I can get on the pc with scanner.


Thanks!

 

[Xmas]

Ash

First option is black fabric (tea shirt) paint.

Spot any holes with paint like AgBr dust rework, leave on shelf, 24 hours before folding etc.

Buy sister tea shirt ask what she wants it to say.

Noel

 

[Wayne R. Scott]

Ash,

To find the pin holes in the bellows (if any) take the camera into a darkened room and stick a flash light (torch) inside the bellows. Any pin holes will become very apparent as pin points of light shining through the bellows.

Wayne

 

[Ash]

Turns out I can judge distance easier in meters than in feet. The Zeiss photos (meter)
were ok-ish, but these Ernemann photo's (feet) are way out. That, and my slow shutter hand holding needs improving.


Here's a crop of the light leak at its most distinct (the other photo's are the same but vary from a whole chunk of white, or a tiny blur)


Using a torch I only found a single pinhole. Does one tiny pinhole really cause this much damage!? 😱

 

[Xmas]

Ash

What does your sister want on her tea shirt... ?

The problem with folders is that they are not solid like a Kiev and may be out of register, check them with magic tape in film gate on a star. I'm sure you can do conversion in head.

You also need a hood what diameter is the front of each camera?

Noel

 

[Ash]

Noel, I don't think my sister wants any more clothing - she's very picky! Neither camera can have a lens hood unless modified if that's what you mean?

I don't see any reason the lenses are out of alignment with the film plane I'll try with 'real' focusing using a rangefinder alongside the camera next time.

 

[VictorM.]

Pinholes are easier to find using a small flash unit poked into the open back of the camera. Cover the gap with something (a black t-shirt) and dim the room lights. No closet needed. Be sure to check the bellows where it joins the camera and lens plate. Most folders need to have focus adjustments. Scroll down this page for an idea of one way to do it: http://www.davidrichert.com/AGFA rebuild/agfa.htm. Rick Olesen also has some techniques on his repair site.

 

[Xmas]

Ash

Old folders normally did not have a screw like a Kiev and needed a push on fitting for filters or hoods.

Just sent another rfdr person a folder hood. Please measure the outer diameter, I might have one that fitted.

Noel



Noel

 

[Solinar]

I have three 6x9 folders, one of which I call "Patches".

So, don't panic. Gaffers tape works wonders. You may even need to apply some cloth media paint on the inside corners of some of the folds.

You definitely need use a small photo flash poked into towards the back of the bellows to find all of the light leaks.


For the best light show, sit down in a darkened closet. Check all four edges of the bellows and where the bellows connects to the camera.

 

[Ash]

Thanks for the help everyone. I'll see what I can do about the pinholes, but on searching around I could only see the one on the back corner, about one or two folds out, which may be why it disperses like in the picture.

Noel, outer dimensions of the lenses are about 28mm and 27mm I think. The calipers have gone walkies (as usual) so that may not be totally correct measurements!! Thanks 😉

 

[VictorM.]

A cheap way to patch corner leaks is black cloth masking tape. I found a roll at an art supply store. It was relatively cheap and is labelled "CT34BLK" on the inside.

 

[SCOTFORTHLAD]

Ash,
Good luck my man---I'm sure you will get it sorted.After your work on the old Rollei,this will be nothing!
My Ensign may have some leaks---hope not,but I'm still less than halfway through my 16 shots.

Noel helped me with a v.nice hood as well,it's A1.😀

Brian,

PS. I bought my original Mir back from Kully, also has a light leak---see FSU Section.

 

[Ash]

Thanks Brian, everything seems to be a painful learning curve with these old cameras 😀

I'm going to try and patch up the bellows or else wait until I have a bit of cash and pay Jurgen the $75 for brand new bellows and fit them myself.

That's not my only worry, I was playing around with the Zeiss and the shutter decided to stick a couple times on 1/25!!! It seems rare to have it stick but it still happened which means CLA for the shutter sometime soon too!

 

[SCOTFORTHLAD]

Thanks Brian, everything seems to be a painful learning curve with these old cameras 😀

I'm going to try and patch up the bellows or else wait until I have a bit of cash and pay Jurgen the $75 for brand new bellows and fit them myself.

That's not my only worry, I was playing around with the Zeiss and the shutter decided to stick a couple times on 1/25!!! It seems rare to have it stick but it still happened which means CLA for the shutter sometime soon too!

Ash,
Look up an Ebay seller in Northern Ireland--- BEEDHAMS.
He specialises in Folders,and services and replaces bellows on many of his cameras before auction.He may be able to advise you,or be interested in doing work for you.Being more local should help.He has a huge positive feedback.
I bought the Ensign and an Agfa Isolette from him without any problem,and he is very good to deal with.
Brian.

 

[Wayne R. Scott]

Ash,

You seem to be a DIY type of person, so:

http://www.cyberbeach.net/~dbardell/bellows.html

http://pheugo.com/cameras/folders/folders.html

http://home.earthlink.net/~eahoo/page2/page2.html

http://www.apug.org/forums/forum147/...alculator.html

Wayne

 

[jon_flanders]

In the US Home Depot we have a product called Liquid Electrical Tape which works quite well on bellows. I painted it on the inside and left the bellows extended to dry.

 

[BILLC]

Ash,
I use the reverse method to check bellows, in a bright room open the camera and hold to your eye at the film gate. The pinholes stand out clearly. This easy to do when buying a camera so you know what your up against. I too have used liquid electrical tape inside the bellows. Mix well before use. I found it at an auto parts store.
Bill

 

[Xmas]

Ash

Just back, I'll see if I have either size 'in stock', I cannot warrant. I wont be on line again until Mon week, but I have your postal already.

About your Kiev I think you have to wait, as some of the photo dealers keep Kievs on shelves for ever...

Noel