Bag bellows for my Toyo (finally!)

[epatsellis]

After having put up with the worlds crappiest bellows, (why the hell do they use what amounts to paper with vinyl stiffeners stuck inside?) I decided to take matters into my own hands with my Toyo 45E. It will now focus a 75mm lens at infinity (without a recessed lensboard) and will extend to 16", though the rail I usually use is 14" long, I do have a longer one, if/when needed. I can finally use my 90mm without having to find a ridiculously overpriced recessed board, which would have precluded using it on my B&J press camera. Total cost was under $10, a very good investment if I do say so. Just need to mix up some sealer to go over the stitching in the corners, as I'd rather spend a few mins now than chase a pinhole later. Life is good right now (that only means something bads gonna happen, sooner or later), pics attached.

 

[Colin Graham]

Nice job Erie. What pattern did you use, and what are you going to use for the sealer?

 

[epatsellis]

I started with a 36" x 16" rectangle, glued it into a 16" long ~12" dia tube, then turned it inside out, sewed(wife did, actually) 4 corners, tapering to 5 3/4" sq over 5", leaving about 6" or so full diameter. kinda made it up as we went along. I'm going to mix up a little pliobond with some black enamel, I've succesfully used it before.


erie