Bellows for Toyo Field 4 3/4 x 6 1/2 folding metal camera

John Wiegerink · Feb 6, 2017

TOYO FIELD 4 3/4 x 6 1/2 folding metal camera.
I'm in need of a new bellows for this camera and was wondering if anyone has any experience with the bellow makers/suppliers that advertise replacement bellows on eBay. Or any other bellows maker for that matter! John

darkroommike · Feb 6, 2017

Interested in this issue as well, my bellows are OK but look bad, apparently this camera is a bit tricky to fold up correctly.

John Wiegerink · Feb 6, 2017

darkroommike said:
Interested in this issue as well, my bellows are OK but look bad, apparently this camera is a bit tricky to fold up correctly.

Yes, the bellows material can't be to thick or the bellows will not fold enough to close properly. It also has to have enough pleats/folds and length or you will have a hard time using swings and tilts.

adelorenzo · Feb 6, 2017

I bought a set from eBay seller tokyophoto that I was very happy with. The material was advertised as being a gore-tex type of weatherproof fabric and was nicely flexible. Camera folded up perfectly.

I don't see any in their store right now but it would be worth asking as they sell a lot of those particular cameras and accessories.

IIRC they don't use frames so need to be glued on both sides. I used pliobond and it worked great.

John Wiegerink · Feb 6, 2017

adelorenzo said:
I bought a set from eBay seller tokyophoto that I was very happy with. The material was advertised as being a gore-tex type of weatherproof fabric and was nicely flexible. Camera folded up perfectly.

I don't see any in their store right now but it would be worth asking as they sell a lot of those particular cameras and accessories.

IIRC they don't use frames so need to be glued on both sides. I used pliobond and it worked great.

Yes, I've already contacted them and am waiting for a reply. I have my old bellows off and I'm just waiting to order a new one. According to there description on eBay they supply the glue for gluing to the front and rear standards. I sure am happy to see your reply Adelorenzo about it folding fine.

John Wiegerink · Feb 9, 2017

Well, the bellows is on its way from Japan. I'll keep you informed as to how installing it goes.

John Wiegerink · Feb 21, 2017

Update! The bellows is installed and ready to go. The new bellows is a bit thicker than the old one and I was worried it might not close or at least not stay closed, but it seems to work just fine. I'd say by the looks of the material used that this bellows will outlast me.

Don Harpold · Feb 26, 2017

Hello John,
I have that same camera, how difficult was the bellows to install?

I don't have an issue now but you never know.

Here is the most recent photo from a couple months ago after it set in the safe for about 10 years.
I kinda missed on the focus

I just ordered a JOBO tank to do some developing

Thanks
Don

John Wiegerink · Feb 26, 2017

Don Harpold said:
Hello John,
I have that same camera, how difficult was the bellows to install?

I don't have an issue now but you never know.

Here is the most recent photo from a couple months ago after it set in the safe for about 10 years.
I kinda missed on the focus

I just ordered a JOBO tank to do some developing

Thanks
Don

Don,
Fairly easy to install, but I actually cut off the first pleat on the lens board side since I wanted to attach the bellows with the horizontal bellows plate screws inside the bellow and the vertical ones on the outside. Worked perfect! Nice picture and nice get-a-way.

Don Harpold · Feb 26, 2017

Thanks John

I will have to look into getting a bellows just to have in case

I see what you mean about the vertical and horizontal pleats

Bellows for Toyo Field 4 3/4 x 6 1/2 folding metal camera

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