For Sale FS: DIY Custom Camera Bellows Kit (4x5, 8x10, etc)

[sv@diycamerakit.com]

The kit can be made for any film format based on the dimensions you send, see below. The price for a 4x5 bellows kit is $42, for an 8x10 is $90, check the link at the bottom of the page for more price options or contact me.

Sample bellows.
Dead Link Removed

Have a camera you can't use because of damage to the bellows? Or maybe it's missing the bellows altogether? Or are you making a camera and you have enough challenges without having to design a bellows? You can't afford to spend the cost of a new OEM or custom bellows? This kit may be for you.

How does it work?
You first obtain the specifications (click here to see how).
You place the order right on this page
We design the kit and mail it to you
You assemble a paper model and verify fit (click here to see how)
You assemble the bellows ( click here to see how or watch the quick review video )

What does it contain?
• outside cover material
• (inside) liner material
• pattern for cutting the cover & liner
• pattern of the ribs printed directly on the ribs material
• spray adhesive for the cover/stiffener/liner sandwich
• illustrated step by step instructions to assemble the bellows
• DVD with an annotated video recording of a complete assembly process
• paper model patterns

What else do I need?
• utility cutter with NEW blade
• straight metal ruler (or a thin straight metal piece) to guide the cutter
• flat cutting/working surface (MDF board from local hardware store is perfect)
• low tack adhesive tape (painter's tape)
• protective equipment (gloves, mask)

For more information on options & limitations as well as a FAQ, click here

Note 1: If your camera format is not listed, contact us, we can make kits for any format. We'll get back to you promptly with a price and we can add it as an option to this page..

Note 2: We reserve the right to refuse to produce a kit if we believe it would not work in the specific application the customer is trying to use it. In this case we will refund the entire amount paid for the kit, including shipping.

Note 3: The fully extended bellows length for a given camera format cannot be more then three times the length of the diagonal of the film format for the price listed. If such a long bellows is needed, contact us for a quote.

You can order the bellows online here :

http://www.diycamerakit.com/product_info.php?products_id=1

 

[Shadowtracker]

I am going to buy one from you soon. I just picked up an Omega 45F that needs a new bellows. I just need to get the money together and take the measurements via your instructions on the links. Will be in touch soon. BTW, 'will buy as soon as I can' is not an option on your list.

Tim

 

[photobizzz]

Nice video! I wish you had put this up about a week ago before I ordered and already installed new bellows for my Toyo 45A which cost $170! I may be ordering a new set for another camera soon. Check your PM box, have a question.

 

[ic-racer]

I'm very tempted to re-do my 'practice' bellows on my 8x10 Century with your bellows kit.

 

[hvandam2]

I'm building a 4x5 from scratch, almost ready to do the bellows, but I think I'm going to order a kit from you. Looks great!

 

[sv@diycamerakit.com]

I'm very tempted to re-do my 'practice' bellows on my 8x10 Century with your bellows kit.

I think you should!

 

[photobizzz]

I just ordered a set for a camera I am re-furbishing. Very affordable compared to the $225 average estimates I have gotten.

 

[jordanstarr]

I just got out of 4x5 as it doesn't suit my style of photography, but I just wanted to give you props for doing something like this. I'm sure the money isn't great and you're in it for the spirit of large format photography. So, thanks for making/keeping it accessible to us film nuts and making it cheap and DIY at the same time.

 

[donocelotl]

Hey Sorin! I'll be ordering mine soon too!
Cheers amigo.
Alejo

 

[Roberto V.]

I will definitely order a set from you. That should save me a ton of work, and I'll have enough time to work on designing the actual camera. I'll also order a ground glass kit.
It is awesome that you are doing this, cheers!

 

[ColorBlind]

Do you have the one for Agfa Isolette?
Thanks

 

[sv@diycamerakit.com]

ColorBlind, I can make kits for any cameras, but the customer needs to provide measurements (in a number of ways, see the links).

 

[sv@diycamerakit.com]

For those who were unsure if the material is suitable for their needs, I made free samples available (with free shipping in US). See

http://www.diycamerakit.com/product_info.php?products_id=13

 

[Shadowtracker]

Thanks Sorin - I need to take measurments, then I will be placing an order.

 

[photobizzz]

Just got my kit in the mail, came with spray glue, a cd and printed instructions, bellows material and a paper kit to practice and make sure it fits before gluing the real thing together. Very nice kit! Thanks Sorin! I will let you all know how I fare putting it together but it looks pretty easy to do after watching the video and reading the instructions...

 

[sv@diycamerakit.com]

For those who have their own materials and a means to print the patterns (with a 13" wide printer you can print the patterns for a camera up to 8x10)I'm offering now a "Design" only service for $29 for any format. You get PDFs with patterns for a paper model (to try the design with ordinary paper) as well as the patterns for the stiffeners and the cover/liner.

 

[Sully75]

I finished mine, it came out beautiful:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulmcevoy/4554900437/

 

[Shadowtracker]

Wow, that looks good. I'm getting a Seneca 5x7 soon, hope to be able to do the same with it as you did with this one. That's impressive work.

 

[photobizzz]

I just got mine finished today as well, looks great. I will post a photo of the completed camera tomorrow after the silicone dries where I mounted the bellows to the rear standard. The camera will actually be up for sale here in the classifieds tomorrow so keep an eye out. It is beautiful...

 

[Sully75]

Thanks Tim! I'm really proud/pleased.

I stripped the camera, reglued everything (the rails were a mess, actually everything was glued to the wrong piece). I stripped the old (chippy, crappy) finish and used a gel stain and rub in oil.

Really fun project and I'm enjoying using the camera very much. Good luck!

 

[photobizzz]

Here is a photo of the 1920s 4X5 Gundlach Flatbed I restored to include the new bellows from Sorin's DIY bellows kit! Ain't she a beaut?

 

[Sully75]

Woah! Nice job. Now I'm jealous.

 

[Shadowtracker]

Sheesh Colin..... that looks Great! Nice job on the bellows, and the woodwork is excellent too. You seem to have an eye for detail and don't seem to mind tedious work. But then again, that might explain your being in the military And you are selling this?

 

[mhcfires]

Great job, Sarge. Now I know that I need to order a kit for my 5x7 2D and 8x10 2D. They will look like a million bucks!

And Thank you for your service.

 

[photobizzz]

Thank Tim and Michael - Yea it is sold, I don't need two 4X5 cameras, I do have a 5X7 that an APUG member gave me as payment for restoring his 6.25X8.25 F&S RB Graphic that I will probably keep since it is a diff format