Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 15

Thread: Bellows repair question

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Spain
    Posts
    887

    Bellows repair question

    Hi !
    This is a question to all people of good will who repaired their camera bellows ( pin holes at the corners ) using black tape :
    Which kind / brand of tape is the best ?
    Basic technique to stick the tape to bellows ?
    It's for 8x10 Agfa, generally bellows is in fine condition, but has a very tiny pin hole at every corner.
    Thanks in advance,
    Igor.

  2. #2
    funkadelic
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Yadkinville, NC, USA
    Posts
    1,300

    Re: Bellows repair question

    I like Permacel gaffers tape (now known as Shurtape P-665). It is available in many widths and colors.
    It doesn't leave that nasty goo behind that duct tape is notorious for.

  3. #3
    Peter De Smidt's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2001
    Location
    Fond du Lac, WI, USA
    Posts
    8,954

    Re: Bellows repair question

    I've heard that people use the stuff for patching neoprene wetsuits. But the problem is, once corners start to go, other corners could go at any time. I'd strongly recommend looking into getting a new bellows.
    “You often feel tired, not because you've done too much, but because you've done too little of what sparks a light in you.”
    ― Alexander Den Heijer, Nothing You Don't Already Know

  4. #4

    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Southlake TX
    Posts
    1,057

    Re: Bellows repair question

    I repaired a sinar 8x10 bellows recently,

    I bought a tube of gasket material from the auto supply store.

    Pressed a little of the material into each light leak. Used just a little and went over the bellows three times, each a day apart.

    Tape over the worse ones, primarily to protect the soft gasket material.

    As light tite as a new one. Still looks like crap, but it will do until I buy a new one.

    bob

  5. #5

    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Southlake TX
    Posts
    1,057

    Re: Bellows repair question

    Quote Originally Posted by Iga View Post
    It's for 8x10 Agfa, generally bellows is in fine condition, but has a very tiny pin hole at every corner.
    Thanks in advance,
    Igor.
    Is it lined? If not, it can be done from the inside and is much neater in appearance after repair.

    Rack bellows to limit to find all the holes. Recognize than many leaks are not visable to film if using wides/normals. Teles and close up can be where the light comes shining through. Always good to throw your darkcloth over bellows when taking the exposure if you don't trust the bellows.

    bob

  6. #6
    loujon
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Western, PA.
    Posts
    1,645

    Re: Bellows repair question

    I have used liquid electric tape . Comes in different colors black & red being the two I have used. It can be bought at just about any hardware store .Apply THIN layers on the corners reapply several THIN layers. Make sure to let dry before reapplying . It's flexible, light tight & inexpensive.

  7. #7

    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Minneapolis, MN
    Posts
    1,261

    Re: Bellows repair question

    Quote Originally Posted by cdholden View Post
    I like Permacel gaffers tape (now known as Shurtape P-665). It is available in many widths and colors.
    It doesn't leave that nasty goo behind that duct tape is notorious for.
    Nope. I use Permacel/Shurtape by the case at work, and it has nasty goo just like the rest of the gaffer/duck tape offerings.

    Gaffers tape is used (by gaffers!) because it doesn't leave residue on surfaces - the first day. But if you leave it in place for days or weeks on end, the adhesive migrates to anything it touches. You need some strong solvents to get it off of carpeting/wallpaper/cables.

  8. #8

    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    St. Louis, Missouri
    Posts
    324

    Re: Bellows repair question

    I used Black photographers tape. It’s like paper masking tape but is black and light proof. Put it on the inside and carefully re-crease the bellows. I repaired a Linhof bellows this way about 25 years ago and it’s still fixed.
    Jerome

  9. #9

    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Posts
    558

    Re: Bellows repair question

    I also used the black photographers tape and it seems to work fine for me. The only problem I found was that my Ikea camera wouldn't quite close. But close enough that packing it isn't a problem. I've had it on for about 7 years now.
    http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ape_Black.html

  10. #10

    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Great White North
    Posts
    35

    Re: Bellows repair question

    I have used black silicon gels. It'll do the job. So much so that I kept the old one as spare after I got a new bellows.

Similar Threads

  1. Bellows Extension calculation
    By Jonathan Brewer in forum Style & Technique
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 20-Jun-2010, 14:21
  2. Bellows design question
    By Randy_5116 in forum Cameras & Camera Accessories
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 26-Jan-2006, 08:34
  3. Dry Bellows restoration question
    By Gregory Kriss in forum Cameras & Camera Accessories
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 14-Feb-2000, 12:25
  4. Bellows repair
    By Dave Schneidr in forum Gear
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 7-Nov-1998, 00:40
  5. question regarding wide angle bellows
    By Raymond Bleesz in forum Cameras & Camera Accessories
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 7-Apr-1998, 14:32

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •