New bellows? DIY

nsurit · Mar 14, 2010

I ahve a wooden 5 X 7 that is in need of new bellows. I don't have a great deal tried up in the camera and lens and would like to take a shot at replacing the bellows. This happens to be a Keith portrait camera. In general how difficult a jobs is this and where might one find new bellows. Thanks in advance. Bill Barber

Wade D · Mar 15, 2010

Camera Bellows in the UK does great work and the prices are good

Ian Grant · Mar 15, 2010

Wade D said:
Camera Bellows in the UK does great work and the prices are good

Camera Bellows stopped trading towards the end of 2008 they were owned by the same company as Lee filters. However Customs Bellows was formed as an independent company to carry on with the business and now is owned by the people who ran the previous company, there's still a connection to the Glanvill family who founded the firm in 1895.

There's plenty of patterns etc online for bellows making, but I've drawn up my own for tapered bellows for one of my 9x12 cameras.

Ian

djrounds · Mar 15, 2010

I can recommend Mark Kapono at Replacement Camera Bellows. He did excellent work at a fair price for me several years ago on a replacement bellows my little Galvin view camera.

Wade D · Mar 16, 2010

Ian Grant said:
Camera Bellows stopped trading towards the end of 2008 they were owned by the same company as Lee filters. However Customs Bellows was formed as an independent company to carry on with the business and now is owned by the people who ran the previous company, there's still a connection to the Glanvill family who founded the firm in 1895.

There's plenty of patterns etc online for bellows making, but I've drawn up my own for tapered bellows for one of my 9x12 cameras.

Ian

Oops. I forgot that they changed the name.

nsurit · Mar 17, 2010

I can't get an email response from zReplacement Camera Bellows. His site was last updated in February 2008. Hope he is on vacation. Bill Barber

sv@diycamerakit.com · Apr 27, 2010

You could also try this DIY Kit :

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

It's fantastic! But I might be partial, because it's mine ;-)

photobizzz · Apr 28, 2010

Yea definitely try the DIY kit, takes some patience but I just finished my first set last night and they turned out beautiful, ordered my second set already for a camera I am restoring for an APUG member, don't let it scare you, definitely do able and will save you $150!

seantelx · May 12, 2010

Bellows question

This kit looks pretty nice... Would it be easier if I made a form to wrap the bellows around befor folding or would you think this is unnecessary? It's my first time building bellows and I am looking for as fool proof a way as possible. :rolleyes:

sv@diycamerakit.com said:
You could also try this DIY Kit :

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

It's fantastic! But I might be partial, because it's mine ;-)

sv@diycamerakit.com · May 12, 2010

I don't think a form is necessary but some people swear by them.

RalphLambrecht · May 12, 2010

nsurit said:
I ahve a wooden 5 X 7 that is in need of new bellows. I don't have a great deal tried up in the camera and lens and would like to take a shot at replacing the bellows. This happens to be a Keith portrait camera. In general how difficult a jobs is this and where might one find new bellows. Thanks in advance. Bill Barber

I second and highly recommend the suggestion for Custom Bellows (not Customs Bellows). They did an excellent job making a replacement for my leaky Linhof bellows for a fraction of the manufacturer's price.

New bellows? DIY

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