Bellows vignetting

[Tom Perkins]

The bellows on my field camera have some tabs with little rings on them to hold up the bellows and prevent vignetting. Haven't had a problem until a couple of weeks ago, and although it was an unusual use of movements, I would appreciate some advice on the best way to use them. (Coat hanger?) Thanks. Tom Perkins

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Normally you should have some cords that go through the D-rings or some sort of tabs that attach onto something on the front standard. My old Linhof has clips, and I've attached cords to my 8x10" camera that loop over the knobs on the front standards. On the 11x14" I'm using masking tape until I develop something better (I'm thinking of replacing the bellows anyway--it's fairly new, but not very well made). I've also seen a system that has the rings on top and rods running through the rings and suspended between the two standards to support the bellows. Some people also do things like putting a stiff card under the bellows to hold it up.