Deardorff 8x10 bellows replacement video

Folks have asked me about this before so adding this here in case it can be useful to some. This is a little video where I show my method for replacing the original bellows on an 8x10 Deardorff. I don’t claim this is the factory way to do things but it’s the way I do it which keeps things clean and has worked for me for years. Hope this is helpful:

Quite instructive and practical advice.

Thank you.

Thanks, I hope this will help some folks out when they’re replacing their own bellows. I spoke with Ken Hough a little while again and he confirms the bellows were original from the factory. I’ve been trying to find a comparable stapler that can handle the tiny upholstery staples that were originally used but haven’t had luck yet. Ken has an original one that is air powered. I used the smallest hand staple gun I could find and it works just as well as long as the rear frame is in decent condition. It’s all very doable and helps keep these wonderful cameras in use.

That's a job well done! Thanks for this. I have a similar camera, not sure if I'm up for replacing bellows myself. Where did you get your new bellows?
Best Regards Mike

Fragomeni said:

Thanks, I hope this will help some folks out when they’re replacing their own bellows. I spoke with Ken Hough a little while again and he confirms the bellows were original from the factory. I’ve been trying to find a comparable stapler that can handle the tiny upholstery staples that were originally used but haven’t had luck yet. Ken has an original one that is air powered. I used the smallest hand staple gun I could find and it works just as well as long as the rear frame is in decent condition. It’s all very doable and helps keep these wonderful cameras in use.

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Most of the bellows on my view cameras are fastened to the frame via tiny, tiny nails and lots of them! I may have to rely strictly on adhesive to attach the bellow, as the nails have left the frame looking like Swiss cheese!

Great video! I replaced the bellows on my mid-60's V8 a few years ago, and the process was exactly the same as you've shown here. About 30 years difference and Deardorff barely changed anything on these cameras. I ordered the bellows from Camera Bellows UK, but they preferred I send the old bellows still attached to the frames, so I didn't have to remove/attach the bellows from the frame. Like you, I noted the location of each screw and the orientation of the frames during disassembly, and everything went back together beautifully.

mshchem said:

That's a job well done! Thanks for this. I have a similar camera, not sure if I'm up for replacing bellows myself. Where did you get your new bellows?
Best Regards Mike

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I use a small company in Hong Kong that makes bellows and all kinds of interesting accessories. I don't think they have a website but they often sell their products through ebay. You can find them on ebay under the name EcBuyOnline2008.

Kino said:

Most of the bellows on my view cameras are fastened to the frame via tiny, tiny nails and lots of them! I may have to rely strictly on adhesive to attach the bellow, as the nails have left the frame looking like Swiss cheese!

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Yea, I've seen tacks used a lot. If installed properly they can be just as good as long as the frame can handle it. But yes, once the frames have been used a few times, you can end up with swiss cheese. In cases like that, a careful application of Pliobond (clamped to make sure you have a good bond) should work.

jimjm said:

Great video! I replaced the bellows on my mid-60's V8 a few years ago, and the process was exactly the same as you've shown here. About 30 years difference and Deardorff barely changed anything on these cameras. I ordered the bellows from Camera Bellows UK, but they preferred I send the old bellows still attached to the frames, so I didn't have to remove/attach the bellows from the frame. Like you, I noted the location of each screw and the orientation of the frames during disassembly, and everything went back together beautifully.

Click to expand...

Yea, attaching the bellows to the frame is usually what stops people with Deardorffs. I have seen a few places in the past that would either sell you the new bellows on new frames or allow you to send in your frames. Both are good options for sure.