Bellows won't fit 6x9 Arca Swiss

[quixoticcassandra]

So the wide angle bellows that just came across the ocean for me is having a bit of a fitment issue. The standard bellows is what fits my camera (apparently a pre-1984 version). There are indentations on the lower half of the frame, which enable the frame to move past the rise/fall knob nut. And then on top of the frame is the tab which allows the slider on the format frame to clamp on to the bellows.

But the wide angle bellows has neither. I guess I could easily take out a couple of mm's of plastic to mimic the indentations, but the tab is another matter. I may have to plead with the ebay seller to let me return the bellows.

Please have a look at this link to see what I mean (for some reason, I can't upload today): http://evanbedford.com/bellows.htm

But before I do, I thought I'd post to see if anyone has any suggestions.

And I'm also now VERY curious as to which other Arca Swiss items might not conform to their penchant for interchangeability.

Thanks in advance.

Evan

[Kirk Gittings]

image on the left, image on the right...........hmmmm nothing there:)

[quixoticcassandra]

image on the left, image on the right...........hmmmm nothing there:)

Sorry. Upload not working. Please try this:
http://evanbedford.com/bellows.htm

[Taija71A]

___

A quick Google search... Turned up the following URL:


http://www.precisioncameraworks.com/Pages/arca_core.html


Please see the Paragraphs entitled...

History and Identification of ARCA-SWISS View Cameras.

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Best regards,

-Tim.
__________

[quixoticcassandra]

___

A quick Google search... Turned up the following URL:


http://www.precisioncameraworks.com/Pages/arca_core.html


Please see the Paragraphs entitled...

History and Identification of ARCA-SWISS View Cameras.

--
Best regards,

-Tim.
__________

Thanks Tim. Looks like bellows should be my only concern (I don't plan on monkeying around with format frames). As for this current issue, I've done some careful measuring, and it looks as though I may be able -- if I'm very careful with some judicious cutting -- to get the wide angle bellows to fit. I'll post a photo either way.

[Taija71A]

Thanks Tim. Looks like...

No problem... You are more than welcome!

[neil poulsen]

The bag bellows you show in the photo is for a modern classic F. They won't fit your older style Arca 6x9.

[Rod Klukas]

Evan,
The only way to get a wide bellows is to find an older bellows of any type that fits your camera, and have a bellows refitted to those older frames.
These have not been available new, since before 2000.

Alternatively, a machine shop could machine a new set of frames from aluminum using your standard bellows frames as a model.
Or, this comes to mind. You could have frames made on a 3d printer of plastic.
Hope this is some help.
Rod

[quixoticcassandra]

Thanks guys. Neil clued me into a set that would fit my system on ebay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Arca-Swiss-6x9-Wide-Angle-Leather-Bellows/400832626246?_trksid=p2050601.c100272.m3467&_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140813112422%26meid%3D89a23e2b962b4e04af0a7dba77fb131a%26pid%3D100272%26prg%3D20140813112422%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D400832626246%26clkid%3D3185697779018613304&_qi=RTM1963929). I may still grab them, partly to see which bellows gives the most front rise, and partly for a spare. However, I really like the aesthetics of the post-1984 bellows. And I did a bit of measuring, and the the troughs and crests of the light seals on both the bellows frames and the camera frames seem like they would work. And as far as the latching system goes, I think it's just a matter taking 6 small chunks of plastic out of the bellows frame. And I've been looking for an excuse to buy a Dremel :D

[toyotadesigner]

The bellows frames of the ebay offer has already been modified with a second set of indentations. You never know if the frames already have cracks. They were the reason why I didn't bid on the item.

The seller doesn't mention the modification, he is kind of rude. Sold me a rusted 6x9 RFB, with rust and corrosion inside the film compartment. I couldn't see it on the images, he didn't mention it. Very unfair...

I have a CAD drawing for the old bellows frames which I want to hand over to a machine shop some day, so they can mill a new set of frames out of an aluminium block for me.

[quixoticcassandra]

The bellows frames of the ebay offer has already been modified with a second set of indentations. You never know if the frames already have cracks. They were the reason why I didn't bid on the item.

The seller doesn't mention the modification, he is kind of rude. Sold me a rusted 6x9 RFB, with rust and corrosion inside the film compartment. I couldn't see it on the images, he didn't mention it. Very unfair...

I have a CAD drawing for the old bellows frames which I want to hand over to a machine shop some day, so they can mill a new set of frames out of an aluminium block for me.

If it's any help, I also have a 2nd set of indentations on my standard bellows. Just like the one on the ebay auction. About an inch higher than the indentation that clears the rise/fall nut. And there's no cracking on mine. I would therefore suspect it's normal.

[quixoticcassandra]

Thanks guys. Neil clued me into a set that would fit my system on ebay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Arca-Swiss-6x9-Wide-Angle-Leather-Bellows/400832626246?_trksid=p2050601.c100272.m3467&_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140813112422%26meid%3D89a23e2b962b4e04af0a7dba77fb131a%26pid%3D100272%26prg%3D20140813112422%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D400832626246%26clkid%3D3185697779018613304&_qi=RTM1963929). I may still grab them, partly to see which bellows gives the most front rise, and partly for a spare. However, I really like the aesthetics of the post-1984 bellows. And I did a bit of measuring, and the the troughs and crests of the light seals on both the bellows frames and the camera frames seem like they would work. And as far as the latching system goes, I think it's just a matter taking 6 small chunks of plastic out of the bellows frame. And I've been looking for an excuse to buy a Dremel :D

127917

Well, the Dremel seems to have worked. I also used a bit of epoxy putty to build up a few attachment areas. Now the troughs and the crests all fit together at the mating surfaces as they should. And though it looks ugly, those parts are all well hidden within the Arca format frames. I guess the proof will be in the pudding, though. I don't expect to see any light leaks, but the first roll of film should tell the tale.

My only question is: how on earth did I survive all these years without a Dremel? It's an amazing little tool!

[neil poulsen]

Evan,
The only way to get a wide bellows is to find an older bellows of any type that fits your camera, and have a bellows refitted to those older frames. . .


I did this, when I sold my old-style Arca, and it worked great. I had Advance Camera in Porltand do it for me.