BELLOWS REPLACEMENT OF 4X5

[Deryck]

Hi from Denmark everybody,
I am a medium format user.
Medium format is good, but the choice has been dictated more by cost of equipment rather than actual preference. I recently aquired a 'De Vere 504' enlarger in very good nick, and now have the opportunity to take that long thought about last step into 5" x 4" photography.

I have seen a used chinese field camera on the Bay place, and as I cannot afford to buy new, I was thinking of making a bid, as the camera could problably be aquired for under 200 USD. The camera doesn't seem to be too badly beaten up, but from the looks of the presentation images, the bellows are almost certainly not light-tight, and would probably need replacing.

My questions are these: If I were to make the purchase, would any of you fellow APUG'ers out there know of a place where I could have the bellows replaced? Denmark is not an option, as, if it doesn't have a Gazillion Mega-pixels it doesn't count for c--p. Would the price of said new bellows then be so counter-productive to my original aim of trying to get into large format photography at an affordable price, that I would be better off just waiting for a more 'complete' package on the Bay?

Thanks for your time,
Deryck

 

[RalphLambrecht]

My questions are these: If I were to make the purchase, would any of you fellow APUG'ers out there know of a place where I could have the bellows replaced?...

Keith Lowe
Custom Bellows

work 0121-766 7919
other info@custombellows.co.uk


By the way, that's where your deVere bellows were made.

 

[John Koehrer]

I'm in the US but think the cost of replacing the bellows would drive the price beyond the actual value of the camera.
Try a search for camera bellows. I believe they're in the UK.

Yeah, that's the one, that's what I said, yeah. Custom Bellows. ;0

 

[RPippin]

I have a Chamonix 4X5 that's made in China and is a work of art. $200 USD sounds cheap for this camera if it is a Chamonix. You might consider a Graflex 4X5 if you want an inexpensive bullet proof field camera, otherwise look out for a Zone VI. The Graflex could be had for around $300-$400 and a lighter Zone VI should be in the neighborhood of around $500-$600. Replacement bellows for a cheap [$200.] view camera could set you back another $200.00 from England plus the shipping. I bought a Calumet 4X5 view camera with a monorail not to long ago for $60. The shipping cost more than the camera, but it was in excellent shape. In any case, go for the 4X5. I have lots of medium format stuff I'm selling off because I only shoot with 4X5 these days, or 5X7, or 8X10. Good luck, and PM me if you'd like.

 

[domaz]

Bellows are going to cost upwards of $300. You can probably get a Chamonix in much better condition for $500 or a little more.

 

[Ian Grant]

Custom Bellows, they made my bag bellows 30 years (before name change0 ago and they are still near perfect on my De Vere camear.

Ian

 

[Richard Wasserman]

Custom Bellows is currently making a 5x7 camera bellows for me at a cost of approximately $200.00.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Custom Bellows is currently making a 5x7 camera bellows for me at a cost of approximately $200.00.

That's about what I paid for my Linhof replacement. Linhof wanted $600 and Custom Bellows told me that they make it for Linhof! Admittedly, I had them make me a simpler single-tapered design, because I don't like the original double-tapered version.

 

[Ian Grant]

When I went there 30 years ago, the woman just asked what camera, she then went straight to a map drawer and pulled out an original pattern.

They are the most professional Bellows manufacturer in teh world, and also quite fast, and you know you'll get the highest possible quality.

Ian

 

[david_mizen]

I can vouch for them too they recently made a bellows for my ansco 5x7 first class service - how bad do the bellows look on the target camera a bit of black tape inside and out can wok wonders ive got a spare parts camera with bellows that are held together by tape but they still look light tight

 

[RalphLambrecht]

This is what I use to check for leaks in the bellows:

 

[Mike1234]

Very cool, Ralph.

 

[Venchka]

4x5 field cameras in perfect working order sell for $400-$600 in the USA every day of the week. At forums like this one, Large Format Photography Forum and The Rangefinder Forum. Not all sellers will ship outside the USA, some will. Lenses sell for $100-$300 all the time. Film holders are in the $5-$10 range. I own a dark cloth that would be perfect in Denmark that I should sell. However, postage would probably exceed the value of the dark cloth.

My point: Good gear at good prices from good folks at forums like this. ebay and repairs not required. Now, if the camera you saw for $200 was really a Deardorf, that's a different story. Also, if the price was $200 at auction with days left, the price will go up.