Bellows Tape

[Peter De Smidt]

A very experienced camera builder/repairer, Rene Smets, recommends this tape for small bellows repairs: https://www.tesa.com/en-us/industry/tesa-4541.html

[Ulophot]

Any idea where it can be bought in single rolls?

[Peter De Smidt]

This might be it: https://www.equinavia.com/horze-mane-braiding-tape-p-26133/p
I'd email and ask.

[LabRat]

I have bought this brand/product from a good art store... I had some bellows taped up with this for 30+ years and still good and sticking...

Shelf name for product is "Black Archival Artist's Tape" and comes in different widths, stays put, follows creases well, and is removable if needed (if careful)...

Possible issues are it is almost opaque in single layer, but a strip inside bellows with another outside works well, and if you use too much over entire bellows, it can make bellows not compress as original to fit into a folding camera etc...

Note that if taping the entire edge of bellows corner, the maximum width of bellows is when fully compressed, so best to mark a line along edge for tape to follow, leave bellows half compressed while starting to lay tape line, lay tape over one pleat of bellows corner at a time not too tight and keep compressing bellows fully after each section so tape is not under too much tension or corner might split...

Takes some practice, but can make a very nice repair over long bellows if needed...

But if bad bellows, it is a sign to order awesome new bellows you will be proud to use... ;)

Steve K

[Willie]

Have used cloth book binding tape for quick bellows repair. Also works well for re-doing the bottom pieces/flaps of film holders.

[Drew Wiley]

Black self-adhesive nylon tent tent repair tape, available from camping outlets like REI, has certain advantages, among them being its thinness, flexibility, and likelihood of staying in place longer than thick cloth repair tapes. The bond should still be allowed to set up at least 24hrs under reasonably comfortable temperature prior to usage, just like all self-stick acrylic adhesives. But you'd want to first check to make sure what you've gotten is opaque enough. Being so thin, it's easy to double up if needed.

For tiny corner leaks, I prefer black silicone RTV adhesive. Fortunately, all of the bellows I currently use are still in excellent condition.

[John Layton]

I've been using the "Tesa" tape (see OP's link) to re-wrap any frayed wiring looms/harnesses in my 944. Great tape! Got it as a two-roll pack from Amazon. And yes, it would be great for bellows!

[Tin Can]

https://www.amazon.com/Tesas-Advanced-Harness-51036-Mercedes/dp/B01I2MLN2Q/ref=sr_1_1?crid=36YGRPDM7YJME&keywords=tesa+4541+tape+50mm&qid=1646655772&sprefix=tesa+4541+tape+50+mm%2Caps%2C74&sr=8-1

[Peter De Smidt]

Is that the same stuff?

[Tin Can]

Maybe

I will buy a roll, I use their Gaff tape already

I cannot find 50mm wide harness tape for bellows


Is that the same stuff?

[r_a_feldman]

Is that the same stuff?

No, it has a different number. The 4541 tape is currently unavailable from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/-/es/04541-00015-Cinta-adhesiva-4541-25-54-7-yard/dp/B00COMOIVY?language=en_US.

[Paul Ron]

when i had the repair business, i used shutter curtain material from 35mm cameras. extreamly thin, light tight and will conform to any nook n cranny without any folding issues of thicker tapes. a thin smear of contact cement made it a very permenent repair.

[Tin Can]

Here it is, 3 left $93!

https://www.amazon.ca/Tesa-04541-00015-Fabric-Tape-4541-25-Black/dp/B00COMOIVY

[Paul Ron]

im not sure if this is the same stuff i used but the description sound right at 7.9 mil ... 0.0079"

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1364751-REG/japan_hobby_tool_jht9532_shutter_curtain_for_focal.html/overview