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Thread: Technikardan 45 S

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Italy
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    37

    Technikardan 45 S

    Dear All,

    I have just bought a second hand Technikardan 45 S, the camera is well used but in good shape and it is for me a real
    step up from my previous cameras.
    Unfortunately the bellows are not in great shape, there are several light leaks. To replace it now is not an option for me.
    Shall I just use it covering the bellows with the dark cloth when i put the film in or try to fix it?
    Any suggestion regarding fixing are really appreciated.

    Thanks,
    Gabriele

  2. #2

    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Nashville
    Posts
    610

    Re: Technikardan 45 S

    I had the same issue and bought new bellows from Custom Bellows UK for about $180. If you've made the investment in the camera, you really need to get it in proper shape for shooting, otherwise you'll waste a lot of time, effort and expense dealing with light leaks. You will have to replace the bellows sooner or later, so you might as well do it now and be set for life.

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Posts
    4,566

    Re: Technikardan 45 S

    Quote Originally Posted by Gabriele Campagnano View Post
    Any suggestion regarding fixing are really appreciated.
    > In a very dark place use a flashlight to locate all leaks, with bellows extended illuminate the inside, point to the corners and inspect from the outside, with your fingers try to separate well the bends of the area you are inspecting, this is straight...

    > Take a suitable adhesive and glue little patches cut from a thin (but opaque) dark cloth in the leaks, in the inside of the bellows (for aesthetics), that's all.

    IMHO a ($10) suitable adhesive I used is this one:

    Click image for larger version. 

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    https://www.amazon.it/Dritz-395-Liqu...=Liquid+Stitch


    Here is the source where I learned that the Liquid Stitch would be useful, it recommends a more complex procedure:

    https://www.photrio.com/forum/thread...chnique.97496/

    But I solved my leaks with just gluing patches. I think it's better to use a well opaque fabric for the patches than complicating the procedure by adding layers and paints, in special if you plan to replace the bellows in the futuer. I used a fabric strip that I had cut from my dark cloth, and it worked perfect.

  4. #4

    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Italy
    Posts
    37

    Re: Technikardan 45 S

    Thanks for the help.

  5. #5

    Join Date
    Sep 1998
    Location
    Loganville , GA
    Posts
    14,408

    Re: Technikardan 45 S

    You have a camera with a double tapered bellows that does a swing and a shift, front and back, simultaneously whenever you open and close it. Patching it is not a good cure as it will hinder the opening and closing and will just acquire more holes.

    Your bellows developed this problem because someone never learned the proper way to open it and close it! Go to the Linhof factory site and download the instructions, if you don’t have them.

  6. #6
    Dave Karp
    Join Date
    Dec 2001
    Location
    Los Angeles, CA
    Posts
    2,960

    Re: Technikardan 45 S

    Years ago, I saw Jim Ormand from Western Bellows spray some 3m Super 77 into a jar until it puddled up. Then he painted it on the bellows and the patch before affixing the patch to the bellows.

  7. #7

    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Posts
    4,566

    Re: Technikardan 45 S

    Quote Originally Posted by Bob Salomon View Post
    Your bellows developed this problem because someone never learned the proper way to open it and close it!
    Destroying the bellows of a Technikardan it's nearly a sin...

  8. #8

    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    Mt. Pleasant, Wisconsin USA
    Posts
    320

    Re: Technikardan 45 S

    Quote Originally Posted by Bob Salomon View Post
    You have a camera with a double tapered bellows that does a swing and a shift, front and back, simultaneously whenever you open and close it. Patching it is not a good cure as it will hinder the opening and closing and will just acquire more holes.

    Your bellows developed this problem because someone never learned the proper way to open it and close it! Go to the Linhof factory site and download the instructions, if you don’t have them.

    As an owner of a TK 45S, I want to thank you, Bob, for this matter of fact warning and suggestion to check Linhof's site for instructions on how to open close/store the bellows so that I get maximum lifetime out of it. ....
    ... JMOwens (Mt. Pleasant, Wisc. USA)

    "If people only knew how hard I work to gain my mastery, it wouldn't seem so wonderful at all." ...Michelangelo

  9. #9

    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    The Highlands of Scotland
    Posts
    344

    Re: Technikardan 45 S

    Another vote for Custom Bellows in the UK.

    They supplied a replacement set for my TK45 several years ago and they are still perfect.

    http://www.custombellows.co.uk

    Mike

  10. #10

    Re: Technikardan 45 S

    As quick as it is to take off the bellows on TK45S, I had camera bellows make me a single taper straight bellows out of the Canham synthetic material that I put on a take off before I close it down. I figure it is no different than working with my bag bellows. I purchased a Canham 5x7 zipper case that if fits in perfectly and I put a towel been the standards in the case. Works like a champ. I have a Linhof factory double taper bellows in reserve. Since it is not my main camera I worry that in a rush I might screw up.

    Great camera.
    Last edited by Michael Kadillak; 17-Sep-2018 at 08:47. Reason: typo

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