5x7 Norma Bellows

[Dietrich Floeter]

I have a 5x7 Norma with a bag bellows and need a pleated set with or without starlight. Of course a pristine bellows is best but I can have a set built if I only had the frames. Maybe someone in this group has one they can part with?

Having used this camera after 25 years of Sinar F, F1 and F2 experience I wonder why I ever bothered with the newer plastic cameras. This thing is a tank. I shoot all location work but the extra weight isn't all that much.

Thanks

[William Whitaker]

My 5x7 Norma has a P bellows and it works fine for me. YMMV. Also check with Igor Camera.

[Dietrich Floeter]

Hi Will, Does teh larger light trap on the rear match the current version? I was unaware that the back end of the larger bellows was different than the tiny 4x5 bellows that are symmetrical.

[Daniel Unkefer]

I'm in exactly the same boat you are in, dfloeter. I have a ratty old Norma 5x7 tapered bellows, that leaks badly. I think I will have the bellows rebuilt, does anybody have a suggestion as to who should do the rebuild? 5x7 tapered Norma bellows do not seem to be that available, but the modern one will fit. I wouldn't buy a new one without trying it first, just to be sure.

The Norma is a tank, for sure.

[Dietrich Floeter]

I had a new bellows made for my 8x10 Kodak Masterview 15 years ago and a couple of companies still seem to be out there who can handle your bellows repair/rebuild. Next week I will be driving through Chicago and if one of the shops has a set on hand I will try it on for fit. Meanwhile I hope to find a good used bellows left on someone's shelf for too long.

[Daniel Unkefer]

Just found this one on Ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tchlink:top:en

Looks like synthetic material. Leather would be better for the Norma.

[Dietrich Floeter]

These look like they would work except I do not have the extra fittings as they describe them or rather the light trap adapters pieces. This item plus a worn out bellows badly in need of repair, now that works.

[Daniel Unkefer]

Igor up in Cleveland has a 5x7 Norma back and bellows (with holes) for $295. This is just about exactly what I have. You could sell the back, and you'd have your Norma format frames, and put on a nice new leather bellows. This is the route I'm going to take, but I'm keeping the 5x7 back. Mine needed new lighttrapping, good as new now.

http://www.igorcamera.com/sinar.htm

[William Whitaker]

I think what Daniel suggested has a lot of merit. Even if you could find a clean Norma bellows, you have to consider it's probably at least 40 years old and subject to the same issues as all old bellows. This way it would be correct for the camera and good for many years to come with no worries about light-struck film and lost shots. By the time you get a new bellows made it'll probably cost you a little more, but what you get from selling the back would help offset your expenses.

[Dietrich Floeter]

Yes, very sound advice. There is nothing like a light leak to ruin your day, especially on a paying job when someone is depending on you.