Is folding a Toyo difficult?

[SParis]

I got a minor case of GAS and started looking on eBay at Toyo 45A and 45A II.
There seem always to be several of them being sold "as-is" because of damaged bellows (usually a severe crunch right behind the front standard, but it varies)
Even examples that are otherwise fine often show minor folds and creases somewhere in the bellows. There are quite a few of them for sale now, and I'd guess that 70% or so have some bellows damage.

This week, anyway, other brands don't seem to be consistently damaged in this way. (Maybe next week it'll be different.)

I've never handled a Toyo. Is there something especially tricky about folding one up?

[Peter De Smidt]

No, but you have to check that the bellows are positioned properly before closing the camera. It takes a second or two to do.

[Jim Noel]

The plastic models are bad about the base cracking if put on a tripod.

[DG 3313]

+1

No, but you have to check that the bellows are positioned properly before closing the camera. It takes a second or two to do.

[MBrooks]

Not particularly, no. You have to visually check and line it up slightly before closing, but I always found the 45A(II) to be quick and nimble to set-up/fold.

[Peter De Smidt]

The Toyo field cameras are very straightforward to use.

[Merg Ross]

No, but you have to check that the bellows are positioned properly before closing the camera. It takes a second or two to do.

Exactly; this is good advice. I purchased mine twenty years ago new, and it has performed well. I'm not sure that the referenced minor folds and creases are more than cosmetic, but worth noting.

[SParis]

Ok.
All the suggestions here are pretty much the same as for any folding camera.
Anybody have a theory about why there are so many badly damaged ones on eBay?

[Bob Salomon]

Ok.
All the suggestions here are pretty much the same as for any folding camera.
Anybody have a theory about why there are so many badly damaged ones on eBay?

Not following the instructions!

[Tin Can]

Some folding field cameras are very difficult to fold

Patience is needed and even some odd maneuvers

I have a 1/2 plate Made in Japan wood camera that is odd, but does fold to very small, if I relax

In the field with rain, a person may get hurried and ruin it

My 8X10 KMV folds far easier and faster than a Deardorff