5x7 Norma Bellows

[jonreid]

Can someone give me a ballpark on what a replacement bellows might cost from Custom Bellows or Western Bellows.

Alternatively, does someone have a source on buying 1 roll of 3M #850 black tape?

Cheers,

Jon

[Daniel Unkefer]

I bought an original 5x7 Norma Bellows on Ebay a couple of years ago. It was new in the original box, I think I paid about $80 for it.

[Jason Greenberg Motamedi]

I had Custom Bellows make a new 5x7 Norma standard bellows and mount them for me a few months ago. The cost was £135, plus £20 for return shipping to the US. The bellows they made are very similar to the original bellows which they replaced. Turnaround time was quite fast, maybe two weeks?

[jonreid]

Daniel, I've scoured for a replacement in EBay and a few other places. Nothing but used ones in probably similar condition.

Jason, thanks. That amount is not cheap but not bad for a quality product. Did you send them your existing bellows?

Jon

[Daniel Unkefer]

There is this one on German Ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/300852151456...84.m1423.l2649

[Jason Greenberg Motamedi]

Did you send them your existing bellows?

I sent my old bellows mounted on the frames, and they removed the old bellows, cleaned up and repainted the frames, and mounted the new ones. Note that in a pinch current 13x18 bellows (for the P and F cameras) will fit on your Norma. The rear frame is a little different (plastic versus aluminum) so there is some play and perhaps possible leaks, but I have been using the current bag bellows model on my Norma for a few weeks with no issues.

[jonreid]

Hi Jason,
I found this http://bit.ly/X5aLxx
Which appears to be the non-bag version of what you bought. Price is slightly higher after conversion to AUD than a replacement from Custom Bellows. I'd love some assurance it will fit my Norma correctly.

Jon

[Jason Greenberg Motamedi]

It probably would fit, but I would spend the money on a having a new bellows mounted by Custom Bellows. Do you have the frames?

[jonreid]

Hi,
Only on my existing bellows, which would mean sending them over..

Jon

[Leonard Robertson]

I don't know if you are satisfied with the maximum extension of your present 5X7 bellows. The 4X5 Sinar bellows sometimes seems a bit short to me. I've read some people like the 4X5 Horseman bellows on a Sinar as it has a bit more length. The point is, if you have new bellows made, you could probably have them made somewhat longer, although this may cause a problem at minimum extension if you don't have a bag bellows to change over to.

I'm a pretty cheap guy myself, but if I were in your position I'd go for new bellows on your frames. If used Sinar 5X7 bellows weren't uncommon and hence usually expensive, it might be worth taking a chance on a used set. You might get lucky and find a nice used set that will last for years. Or a set that will have pinholes in a year.

On the other hand, 135 + 20 Pounds at today's exchange rate is about $245 US, not including postage to UK. That is a noticeable amount, at least to me. I thought I read Western Bellows isn't taking orders anymore, but maybe there is another US maker which would at least save you some postage cost. Custom Bellows has a wonderful reputation though.

Len