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saziebrown@home.com · Joined: 24 Sep 2001 Posts: 1 Location: Oregon

I have a thrashed speed graphic with bellows that are holed and split, can't be taped up easily. Not knowing how to remove bellows for replacement, I was wondering if I could "get away" with wrapping lightproof cloth (changing bag fabric?) around the bellows and taping it up to either end, both of which are more intact. I hear that replacement is very difficult, but this looks easy if it'll work. Anyone tried it?

Les · Joined: 09 May 2001 Posts: 2682 Location: Detroit, MI

IN the old days a well known fix for bellows with pin holes was to take some relatively dense fabric and make a tube with elastic on either end.

This was fitted so that the elastic fell into one of the pleats near each end of the bellows.

In effect it's a sock for your camera. I'm not sure how well it would work when you have gaping holes or obvious slits, but it's worth some thought.

tbottegal · Joined: 18 Jul 2001 Posts: 1

By the way, what is 'changing bag fabric' - i.e., if I go to a fabric store, what do I ask them for? Or where else would I get bulk lightproof fabric?

jdman · Joined: 13 May 2001 Posts: 302 Location: Midwest

You did not say what size the camera is but changing the bellows on a 6x9 is pretty easy. Involves taking 4 screws out of the front standard and bending up the metal tabs on the rear. Finding one at a reasonable price is another story. I would expect at least a C-note or more. You do have to remove the back but that is easy, just takes a screwdriver and a couple on minutes. Russ

Henry · Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2001 9:05 pm Post subject:

Changing bag fabric is the stuff that changing bags are made from. Go to your local well-equipped photo store and ask to see changing bags. The fabric is a tight-weave, black, rubber-lined, light-tight cloth. But with all due respect to other responses, if you're going to use your Graphic with any regularity I would think that a replacement bellows might be in order. Check the ads in the back pages of Shutterbug magazine; there are usually at least two suppliers who claim they can fit bellows to any camera. I've also heard that artist's black acrylic paint (the kind that comes in tubes) can be used to plug small holes in bellows. I believe one brand is called Liquitex. You might also try a tube of windshield sealant from the auto supply store; it's black and should retain its flexibility. Naturally, paint or acrylic sealant should be applied to the inside of the bellows.