I went looking for a used Canham DLC 4x5 wide angle bellows on the auction site, and didn't find one. But I found someone in China selling new leather W.A. bellows for specific L.F. cameras, including the DLC. It was about 30% of the price of a new bellows from Canham, and had good reviews. So I bought it. It finally arrived last week, and I got to test it on the camera. It doesn't fit.
The leather bellows is impressive, and real leather. The 'frames' (?) that mount into the rear and front vertical standards are made from some sort of laminate that contains sheet metal, but encased in something that has a carbon fibre weave pattern. Needless to say it's all thin - less than 2mm. Not exactly machined aircraft aluminium but functional. The rear frame sits into the recess of the Canham rear standard perfectly well, but the front frame doesn't fit the recess of the front standard. The frame is 115mm x 115mm. The recess of the camera front standard is taller, but its only 114.5mm wide.
I can probably return the item to China. It would take time for a refund(!). I would then have to forego movements on wide lenses, or resort to the Canham version, which I like in principle, but it's an expensive accessory specific to a lightly used piece of kit. I should clarify that I'm looking to use the camera with a 6x9 holder, and hence with 65mm focal lengths. The standard bellows will focus a 65mm lens to infinity, but with no movements.
Alternatively I could try to shave 1mm off the side of the front frame using a sander or metal file. I'm wondering about the responses of the material to abrasion. Photos pasted below (with help from Koraks!). Any wise thoughts?
The leather bellows is impressive, and real leather. The 'frames' (?) that mount into the rear and front vertical standards are made from some sort of laminate that contains sheet metal, but encased in something that has a carbon fibre weave pattern. Needless to say it's all thin - less than 2mm. Not exactly machined aircraft aluminium but functional. The rear frame sits into the recess of the Canham rear standard perfectly well, but the front frame doesn't fit the recess of the front standard. The frame is 115mm x 115mm. The recess of the camera front standard is taller, but its only 114.5mm wide.
I can probably return the item to China. It would take time for a refund(!). I would then have to forego movements on wide lenses, or resort to the Canham version, which I like in principle, but it's an expensive accessory specific to a lightly used piece of kit. I should clarify that I'm looking to use the camera with a 6x9 holder, and hence with 65mm focal lengths. The standard bellows will focus a 65mm lens to infinity, but with no movements.
Alternatively I could try to shave 1mm off the side of the front frame using a sander or metal file. I'm wondering about the responses of the material to abrasion. Photos pasted below (with help from Koraks!). Any wise thoughts?
Last edited:
