Best way to repair small light leak in bellows?

[manfrominternet]

Hi all,

So I'm noticing a very tiny light leak in my Linhof Technikardan 45 accordion bellows. It's very small, but noticeable if you shine a flashlight directly on top of it.

The accordion bellows is, I think, fabric with some synthetic on the top layer. The hole must have happened from the unusual way the Technikardan 45 closes. Basically the sharp edges of the front spirit level punctured the hole. The bellows is completely fine otherwise.

I assume, from what I've read here, that the best way is to use black silicon RTV sealant, but I'm not sure.

What would you guys recommend is best way to fix this? Should I fix from the inside or out?

Thanks! 🙏

[Jim Noel]

Black acrylic paint available in craft shops. Opaque,flexible and cheap.

[Tin Can]

Use toothpicks

[Tobias Key]

I use black acrylic T shirt paint, but the most important thing is to wrap your dark cloth around the bellows before you pull the darkslide - that will cover any new pinhole you haven't noticed.

[Pere Casals]

193028

Glue a tinny bit of opaque fabric in the pin, this particular glue is often recommended to even repair extensively destroyed bellows with success. Amazon has it.

[RichardRitter]

Fine a piece of bellows material and glue it over the hole.

[manfrominternet]

Thanks to all for the suggestions!

Has anyone had success with black silicone RTV sealant? Or black liquid electric tape?

I only ask because I have both.

[Shen45]

Thanks to all for the suggestions!

Has anyone had success with black silicone RTV sealant? Or black liquid electric tape?

I only ask because I have both.


I have used the black silicone RTV sealant on small folding 645 rangefinder cameras and 3 5x4 bellows cameras. Use on the inside and let the bellows stay extended for 1-2 days then put a small amount of talc on a finger and apply that to the repair before attempting to close the bellows. Check with a torch inside the bellows will confirm if you have ultimately fixed the problem. I have one 5x4 camera I repaired this way 10-12 years ago and it is still excellent.

[PRJ]

Best way I have found to fix pinholes is to stick a pin through the hole then on the end of it put a blob of Plastidip, or whatever else, then pull the pin back through. Of course then let it dry. Doing it this way repairs the pinhole without affecting the rest of the bellows.

In your case though I would do what Richard suggests above since the camera rubs on that area. You'll probably end up with another pinhole at some point unless you adress the problem now.

Hope that helps.

[Pieter]

Wetsuit repair glue.

[Bill McMannis]

I have used the black silicone RTV sealant on small folding 645 rangefinder cameras and 3 5x4 bellows cameras. Use on the inside and let the bellows stay extended for 1-2 days then put a small amount of talc on a finger and apply that to the repair before attempting to close the bellows. Check with a torch inside the bellows will confirm if you have ultimately fixed the problem. I have one 5x4 camera I repaired this way 10-12 years ago and it is still excellent.

I had decades of success using this on a medium format bellows. Yes, a long cure time is the secret.

[Kevin Crisp]

I've used a dab of the liquid electrical tape and 15 years later the repair is still good.

[j.e.simmons]

I’ve successfully used the liquid electrical tape, too.

[Kevin Crisp]

Apply the electrical tape with the bellows extended. Let it dry for a couple hours before you rack it in and compress it. Otherwise, it will stick to itself. For a pinhole just a dot will do it. The problem, of course, is that pinholes tend to be like pimples. Not many people get just one. Over time.