Bag bellows question

Smile

A
Smile

  • 1
  • 0
  • 103
Tree Study

A
Tree Study

  • 1
  • 0
  • 80
The Rebel Bear

A
The Rebel Bear

  • 4
  • 0
  • 138
Staying Woke

A
Staying Woke

  • 2
  • 1
  • 160
Profile1.jpg

D
Profile1.jpg

  • 2
  • 1
  • 119

Recent Classifieds

Forum statistics

Threads
188,154
Messages
2,623,200
Members
96,928
Latest member
BenMali
Recent bookmarks
0

Buster6X6

Member
Joined
Nov 29, 2004
Messages
715
Location
London Ontar
Format
Multi Format
About three months ago I bought bag bellows for my Toyo to use with 90/f8 Super Angulon.The seller on eBay "forgot" to tell me that surface of the bellows was sort of tacky.I tried to use some leather preservative but it is still sticky.I hate to take it out it would probably collect all the dust around.I have the lens mounted in recessed board now but it does limit the movements.Any suggestions would be appreciated.I did not pay much money for it so I did not think it was worth my while to return it to the seller.

Thanks Greg :sad:
 
Joined
Dec 12, 2004
Messages
2,361
Location
East Kent, U
Format
Medium Format
Have you tried simply hanging the bellows up indoors to dry? Whenever I buy second-hand bellows I usually apply either silicone spray (for synthetic leather) or black liquid shoe polish (genuine leather) and then leave the bellows extended indoors to dry. Hard to know what gunk your seller has applied, but I would think silicone would shift it.
 

rbarker

Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2004
Messages
2,218
Location
Rio Rancho,
Format
Multi Format
Assuming it's the standard Toyo bag bellows, it's a rubberized material, not leather. So, you can probably get away with cleaning it with just about any household cleaner - up to and including lighter fluid, if need be. After that, a conditioner of the sort used on auto interiors might be a good idea. But, as David suggested, buff off the excess, and let it dry open before folding it up.
 

bobfowler

Subscriber
Joined
Sep 18, 2003
Messages
1,441
Location
New Jersey,
Format
Multi Format
rbarker said:
Assuming it's the standard Toyo bag bellows, it's a rubberized material, not leather. So, you can probably get away with cleaning it with just about any household cleaner - up to and including lighter fluid, if need be. After that, a conditioner of the sort used on auto interiors might be a good idea. But, as David suggested, buff off the excess, and let it dry open before folding it up.

Maybe mine is older, but my Toyo bag bellows is made from leather...
 
OP
OP
Buster6X6

Buster6X6

Member
Joined
Nov 29, 2004
Messages
715
Location
London Ontar
Format
Multi Format
This one is made out of leather very soft and playable, I sort of left it sitting on top of one of the boxes holding printing paper ,I lifted it of the box ,and where ever was touching the box left part of the top bellows surface on the box.So it is removing top layer of the leather. When I strike my hand over the surface it does not stick it sort feels like dissolved?I think if I was to take my finger nail and scrape it would take top surface off.

Thanks Greg :confused:
 

Donald Qualls

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 19, 2005
Messages
11,228
Location
North Carolina
Format
Multi Format
Saddle soap, followed by neat's foot oil once the leather is completely dry. If that doesn't fix it up, rush it to the nearest small independent shoe repair shop, where the proprietor will likely be overjoyed to have a chance to work on a leather item that doesn't smell of feet, and can probably make it soft and supple like a kidskin glove.

Meantime, make a note of the eBay seller's name, so you can avoid buying other LF items from the same jerkwad.
 
Joined
Dec 12, 2004
Messages
2,361
Location
East Kent, U
Format
Medium Format
I hate to say it, but from Greg's second posting it almost sounds as if the bellows are made of synthetic leather and are oozing plasticizer. This is rare but can happen if the bellows are stored for a long period in hot humid conditions. Try the remedies which have been suggested, but the bellows just might have had it!
 
OP
OP
Buster6X6

Buster6X6

Member
Joined
Nov 29, 2004
Messages
715
Location
London Ontar
Format
Multi Format
Bellows came from Florida(Hot ,Humid?) Box reads: Sakai special camera company:Balloon bellows Toyo45G:Cat.#180-703 A can't say is the bellows were made out of synthetic leather, but sure previous comments indicate it is.

Thanks to all you were a great help.Chalk another $50 to Epay

Greg :mad:
 

Dave Parker

Member
Joined
Aug 14, 2004
Messages
4,031
Format
Multi Format
is it epays fault that you got a seller that sold a bad set of bellows? and you waited 3 months to say anything?

Dave
 

jimgalli

Subscriber
Joined
Sep 7, 2002
Messages
4,145
Location
Tonopah Neva
Format
ULarge Format
This is actually a perfect situation and you just haven't realized it yet. All the lint that normally goes on your unexposed emulsion will get sidetracked to the bellows. I covered the entire C1 camera I just sent you with Scotch 77. Hope that was OK. Jim
 
OP
OP
Buster6X6

Buster6X6

Member
Joined
Nov 29, 2004
Messages
715
Location
London Ontar
Format
Multi Format
Dave
I know what you are saying.There is maybe 2-3% sellers that make us say ePay. Out of 90 purchases I had problems with three that went wrong.Made me more aware of who I buy it from.I will never buy anything from that seller again.So maybe we can weed them out that way. As I said I can use bellows just it is annoying they feel sticky.I did ask a question on another forum after I got the bellows .I enjoy this forum now that is the reason I am asking it three months later .Naff said.

Thanks Jim I am patiently waiting and I did send you couple of prints today.

Greg :D
 

glbeas

Subscriber
Joined
Sep 25, 2002
Messages
3,888
Location
Marietta, Ga. USA
Format
Multi Format
Makes me suspect the bellows was cleaned with something incompatible with its material. Some oils will dissolve some plastics and theres not much you can do to reverse the problem.
 
Photrio.com contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
To read our full affiliate disclosure statement please click Here.

PHOTRIO PARTNERS EQUALLY FUNDING OUR COMMUNITY:



Ilford ADOX Freestyle Photographic Stearman Press Weldon Color Lab Blue Moon Camera & Machine
Top Bottom