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redshift
2-Jul-2013, 09:28
Not skinny sea creatures but the gasket on my Sinar. There is a groove the bellows fits in, a light trap of sorts. The groove is about an 1/8" wide and maybe a little deeper than that. At the bottom of the groove is some kind of compressible black material that is starting to get powdery on my camera. Is anyone familiar with this? thanks, kevin

Regular Rod
2-Jul-2013, 10:04
This might help...

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/CAMERA-REPAIR-MATERIALS

RR

photobymike
2-Jul-2013, 10:38
Camera seal foam is a quite common camera repair item. There are US sources for this that should not be more than 10 dollars a sheet.

Bob Salomon
2-Jul-2013, 10:58
Ulsaker Studio in Hartford, CT is an authorized Sinar service center. Have you asked them?

redshift
2-Jul-2013, 11:04
Thanks for the ideas!

David Karp
2-Jul-2013, 12:07
Your post prompted me to look, since I need something like this too. http://www.micro-tools.com/store/~/C-RES/Camera-Restoration-Supplies.aspx

redshift
2-Jul-2013, 12:24
Your post prompted me to look, since I need something like this too. http://www.micro-tools.com/store/~/C-RES/Camera-Restoration-Supplies.aspx

Thanks David. What a great resource!

kevin

Jerry Bodine
2-Jul-2013, 15:01
Ulsaker Studio in Hartford, CT is an authorized Sinar service center. Have you asked them?

From their website: http://ulsaker.com/

Ulsaker studio has moved! Our new contact information is:
Ulsaker Studio, Inc.
122 Naubuc Ave.
Suite A11
Glastonbury, CT 06033
860-633-6232
fax: 860-633-6212

Years ago I needed some of the seal material. Sinar sent me more than I needed for my repair, now I have extra material if needed again. Was not very expensive and it was certain to fit properly in the groove. Comes as a continuous strand of material (it's like a braided yarn), so it was simple to just lay it in the groove and work it around each corner of the groove. Be sure to inquire about what to use to secure it in the groove.

Leigh
2-Jul-2013, 16:58
http://www.micro-tools.com/store/~/C-RES/Camera-Restoration-Supplies.aspx
Micro-Tools is the major vendor of tools and supplies to the camera repair industry.
It was started many years ago by Curt Fargo. I believe he still runs it. Haven't spoken with him in a while.

- Leigh

jonreid
2-Jul-2013, 21:37
My SINAR Norma had disintegrating black string in that groove when I bought it. I replaced it with this stuff and its easy to cut and use and works great.
http://www.protostar.biz/flock.htm

Jerry Bodine
2-Jul-2013, 22:45
Great, Jon. Always good to have additional sources. Curious, tell me more about the "high tack" stuff. Is it just sticky on part of its circumference (the part that goes in the groove), so that it doesn't stick to the film holder?

jonreid
3-Jul-2013, 02:30
I'm not sure what you mean by 'part of its circumference'. It's adhesive backed flat sheet. I measured the 'walls' and the flat portion of the groove on my SINAR and cut strips to that width. Peeled the back off and pinched the strip together, lowered it into the groove and stuck in down into the corners by poking it with a thin metal ruler. Anything sitting proud was easily trimmed off with an exacto and a small sawing motion.
Just realised you are worried about the film holder getting stuck. The grooves I re-lined are where the bellows and back clamp into (and lens board at the front).
Film holder doesn't come close to this material.

Jon

redshift
3-Jul-2013, 05:56
My SINAR Norma had disintegrating black string in that groove when I bought it. I replaced it with this stuff and its easy to cut and use and works great.
http://www.protostar.biz/flock.htm

Thanks Jon. I ordered a sheet. Looks like it will have lots of uses! kevin

Jerry Bodine
3-Jul-2013, 07:52
I'm not sure what you mean by 'part of its circumference'. It's adhesive backed flat sheet. I measured the 'walls' and the flat portion of the groove on my SINAR and cut strips to that width. Peeled the back off and pinched the strip together, lowered it into the groove and stuck in down into the corners by poking it with a thin metal ruler. Anything sitting proud was easily trimmed off with an exacto and a small sawing motion.
Just realised you are worried about the film holder getting stuck. The grooves I re-lined are where the bellows and back clamp into (and lens board at the front).
Film holder doesn't come close to this material.

Jon

Sorry, Jon. I responded too quickly without really reading the details of this material. I was thinking it might be like a strand type (string-like) item. But it certainly sounds like it'll do the job. The only light seal problem I've ever had with my Sinar Norma was the one at the film holder interface, and it caused a nasty light leak in the corner when it became unstuck and jumped out of the groove; that threw the film holder out of position and screwed up the film plane - many color trannies ruined from a seven day backpack trip in the mountains.

Kodachrome25
29-Aug-2013, 10:48
My SINAR Norma had disintegrating black string in that groove when I bought it. I replaced it with this stuff and its easy to cut and use and works great.
http://www.protostar.biz/flock.htm

+1 on this, it is thin and does not shed, perfect for LF uses. Cheap too!

Noah B
1-Sep-2013, 20:52
For light seals I use adhesive felt for all of my applications. You can get this at walmart in the craft section or anywhere that sells craft/hobby stuff etc. I've used it on 35mm and medium format cameras and it's perfect. It's around $5 for 4-5 sheets, I cut it with an x-acto to fit. The only pain is cleaning out the old foam, but once that's gone you're good to go. I recently replaced the seals on a Mamiya RB67 back and it works like a charm. Cheers.