Graflex.org
Get help with your Graflex questions here

Graflex 4x5 RB Auto - New Bellows - Questions
Graflex.org Forum Index -> Reflex Help
AuthorMessage
Laurent Laval
Joined: 04 Oct 2019
Posts: 11
PostPosted: Sat Nov 23, 2019 4:14 pm   Post subject: Graflex 4x5 RB Auto - New Bellows - Questions

Well for my Graflex 4x5 RB Auto, I need to replace the bellows, but I have some questions to others owners of this camera:

- I can extend the focusing rail to 31cm
- The bellows can extand to only 21cm
- When the camera is closed I have 3cm of space for the bellows to fold
- When it fold it is about 2cm

so I was asking if it is normal that the bellows is only 21 cm when extended, because the camera can go to 31 cm
is it the genuine bellows ?

http://www.xoxixox.com/-Forums/graflex/A.jpg

http://www.xoxixox.com/-Forums/graflex/B.jpg

http://www.xoxixox.com/-Forums/graflex/C.jpg

http://www.xoxixox.com/-Forums/graflex/D.jpg
45PSS
Joined: 28 Sep 2001
Posts: 4081
PostPosted: Sat Nov 23, 2019 7:40 pm

The on line Graflex SLR instruction manual (link in this section's heading) only says the Auto has a double extension bellows. The bellows should be at least 31 cm or a cm or two longer to accommodate the drop bed feature.

This 1925 catalog tells you what you need to know on page 19.
http://piercevaubel.com/cam/catalogs/1925graflexlp909.htm
The 4x5 RB Auto has a bellows capacity of 18.5 inches / 46.99cm.
The 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 RB Auto has a bellows capacity of 15.5 inches / 39.37cm.

There should be a metal plate on or in the front of the bellows that hold it to the front standard with screws.
Laurent Laval
Joined: 04 Oct 2019
Posts: 11
PostPosted: Sat Nov 23, 2019 8:19 pm

45PSS wrote:

The 4x5 RB Auto has a bellows capacity of 18.5 inches / 46.99cm.

Well mine is definitely shorter, so it was replaced once
45PSS wrote:
There should be a metal plate on or in the front of the bellows that hold it to the front standard with screws.

yes it was like that, I unscrew the metal plate

If I measure from the film plane to the most extended position of the focusing rail, I have about 49cm, which corresponds to the 47cm described in the catalog.
45PSS
Joined: 28 Sep 2001
Posts: 4081
PostPosted: Sat Nov 23, 2019 10:53 pm

ecbuyonline2008 on ebay usa has several listings for new bellows for Century Graphic 2x3; RB Series B, Super D; Graphic View; Pacemaker Crown and Speed in red or black. They are in Hong Kong and have a 100% feedback.

Let me know if you want me to contact them and get you better contact information.

This is also a recommended bellows source on other camera sites ( https://www.photrio.com )
http://www.custombellows.co.uk/?LMCL=aMUBiF
Laurent Laval
Joined: 04 Oct 2019
Posts: 11
PostPosted: Sat Nov 23, 2019 10:57 pm

Thank you for the info, I'm already in touch with ecbuyonline2008, I'm already one of his customers, I have to send him the dimensions of the bellows
But I don't know if he makes leather bellows like the original.
All times are GMT