[LargeFormat] Patching bellows pinholes

[Richard Knoppow]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Galway" <design@wizbot.net>
To: <largeformat@f32.net>
Sent: Wednesday, September 10, 2003 4:17 AM
Subject: [LargeFormat] Patching bellows pinholes




Took possession of an ebay-bought 8x10 Kodak Master this
summer; the
bellows has a few to several pinholes at the corners at full
extension.

My 5x7 Ansco had similar problems which I was advised to fix
by using
black neoprene cement on the outside, the stuff they use to
repair
wetsuits. It worked fairly well, but reapplication was
necessary every
so often depending on use, and time of year (it works not so
well during
the cold winter months of course).

Are there any other tried and true patching methods? I'm
throwing a
darkcloth over the bellows, but until I can afford to
replace them I'd
like to have a fix on the bellows themselves.

If/when worse comes to worse, are there any North American,
preferably
Canadian, bellows makers? Is the whole camera generally sent
for repair,
or do I do the installation myself?

regards
David Galway
Twp. of Georgian Bay
Canada

  I've never found a sure fire method of patching bellows.
Once they start developing pin-holes it will just get worse
as the bellows are uses.
  I am appending a list of bellows makers below.
  Usually they do not need the whole camera but do need the
old bellows and bellows frames 9part of the bellows). Most
bellows are fairly easy to remove. I don't know how the
Kodak Master is constructed but reprint repair manuals are
available and advertised constantly on eBay.
  Some comments on the list below.
  English Bellows has had excellent reports. They are
reasonably priced and are the only one who will make bellows
of genuine leather if you wish.
  I had a bellows made by Flexible Products of Florida. The
service was fine but the workmanship left a lot to be
desired. I will not use them again.
  Turner Bellows reportedly makes excellent bellows by
damaged a friend's camera recently in the process of
replacing the bellows. If you can avoid it don't send the
entire camera to anyone.
  I have not seen the current Western Bellows product but
saw several a few years ago and they were excellent.
  Most modern bellows are made of synthetic material. It
doesn't have the elegance of leather but is much longer
lasting and needs no care.
  Call first and discuss what materials they use and what
exactly they want from you. Price for a typical 8x10 bellows
is around $200 except for specials like Deardorf which may
be more.

Camera Bellows
Unit 3-5
St. Pauls Road
Balsall Heath
Birmingham
B12 8NG
http://www.camerabellows.com/
Tel: +44 (0) 121 440 1695
Fax  +44 (0) 121 440 0972

Flexible Products Co.
14504 60th St. N.
Clearwater, FL 33760
(727) 536-3142
(800) 551-3766
Fax: (727) 535-1295
http://www.flexproducts.com
info@flexproducts.com


Joe Merry
Turner Bellows Inc.
526 Child Street
Rochester NY, 14606
(716) 235-4456 x202
jmerry@turnerbellows.com
http://www.turnerbellows.com


Universal Bellows
25 Hanse Avenue
Freeport, NY 11520
tel. 516-378-1264

Western Bellows Company
7454 Henbane Street
Etiwanda, Ca. 91739
email.  westernbellows@aol.com
phone. 909 980-0606
Contact Jim Ormond.


---
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles, CA, USA
dickburk@ix.netcom.com