Rejuvenating Camera bellows .

[neilt3]

Hello .
I've bought a used , DIY built 10"x12" Large format camera and film holder .
It only cost me £45 , so I'm quite happy with it .
I need to replace the missing focus screen and make a few modifications to so it can be dismantled for transport and improve stability .

There's one area I need a bit of advice on though , and that's the bellows .
Their not leather bellows , there some sort of cloth based one that has stiffened up with age .
If I were to use them as is , the corners will go in a short space of time . ( I reckon )

So I need to know what to apply to them to soften them up again .
I'm in the U.K , so need to know of products that are available over here .

In the description of the sellers listing for the camera , they had this to say regards to the bellows ;
"Bellows have stiffened with age and will need conditioning to become supple. They have softened slightly with some silicon treatment but will need to be softened more for proper use"

So is silicone the right thing to use , and in what form ?

I have included some photos of the bellows to help identify the material used .

Thanks in advance .

 

[shutterfinger]

Expand the bellows as much as possible. Saturate with Pledge (yellow can) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pledge-Cla...child=1&keywords=pledge&qid=1627258523&sr=8-4
Allow to sit 15 to 30 minutes then while supporting from the inside wipe off the excess while rubbing in the Pledge. Repeat as needed to get the softness needed. Works on leather and vinyl. These bellows are vinyl on the exterior.

 

[awty]

Nice camera.
I would first check for light leaks before treating.
You can buy 24x30cm xray film pretty cheaply.

 

[neilt3]

Expand the bellows as much as possible. Saturate with Pledge (yellow can) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pledge-Cla...child=1&keywords=pledge&qid=1627258523&sr=8-4
Allow to sit 15 to 30 minutes then while supporting from the inside wipe off the excess while rubbing in the Pledge. Repeat as needed to get the softness needed. Works on leather and vinyl. These bellows are vinyl on the exterior.

Thanks for replying .
I'll have a look in the local shops for that type .
If they haven't got any , I'll order some up off Amazon or ebay .
Presumably it's only the outside that is treated ?

Nice camera.
I would first check for light leaks before treating.
You can buy 24x30cm xray film pretty cheaply.

Thanks , I'll check that .
I'm not sure if that film will be big enough .
I need to cut some thick paper to size to check the fit as it's a DIY film holder .
The ground glass needed is 26.8mm x 32.1mm , which is quite a bit bigger , even when you take the overlap into account , so I would have to check before buying film .
I'll probably be using B&W paper for making the negatives and doing contact prints for the positives .
I'll also be cutting a back board to mount my 8x10 back onto .

 

[AgX]

Expand the bellows as much as possible. Saturate with Pledge (yellow can) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pledge-Cla...child=1&keywords=pledge&qid=1627258523&sr=8-4
Allow to sit 15 to 30 minutes then while supporting from the inside wipe off the excess while rubbing in the Pledge. Repeat as needed to get the softness needed. Works on leather and vinyl. These bellows are vinyl on the exterior.

Hardened vinyl needs a plasticizer to soften again. I doubt you would like to work with those and that you could get it diffused into the plastic in short time.

 

[shutterfinger]

With the bellows fully extended put a 40 watt appliance bulb in a small lamp inside the bellows in total darkness. Anything other than black is a weak spot and potential light leak.
I have used the Pledge on several bellows and they softened up to like new after 1 to 3 applications.

 

[awty]

You can buy 10x12 xray film as well, lot of stops fasted than paper, just got be careful not to scratch it.
I use my phones torch to look for light leaks, shutterfingers method work as well. Best to fix light leaks before treating.
Backs aren't hard to make, I'm making another one now. You can also make your own ground glass using stone polishing grit.
What do the film holders look like? They are hard to DIY, would love to see.

 

[AgX]

I have used the Pledge on several bellows and they softened up to like new after 1 to 3 applications.

Then they were not from Vinyl.

 

[shutterfinger]

Then they were not from Vinyl.

Some were.

 

[neilt3]

With the bellows fully extended put a 40 watt appliance bulb in a small lamp inside the bellows in total darkness. Anything other than black is a weak spot and potential light leak.
I have used the Pledge on several bellows and they softened up to like new after 1 to 3 applications.

I'll check for holes first , I do have a few things to fill them in with or cover them over .
Hopefully the pledge will work .

You can buy 10x12 xray film as well, lot of stops fasted than paper, just got be careful not to scratch it.
I use my phones torch to look for light leaks, shutterfingers method work as well. Best to fix light leaks before treating.
Backs aren't hard to make, I'm making another one now. You can also make your own ground glass using stone polishing grit.
What do the film holders look like? They are hard to DIY, would love to see.

I've done a search for 10x12 X-ray film and found it it ebay ( so far ) but only in America .
Shipping , VAT and customs handling charge is more than the film itself , but a box of 100 is still cheaper than a box of 50 10x8 film .
Anyone know of a good source in the U.K or EU ?

I will be having a go at grinding my own focus screen , seems easy enough , just time consuming .
Alternatively I could just buy one , where I used to buy them from will now cost me about £80+ rather than £60 before Brexit .
I'll see how quick progress is doing my own first though !

The cameras in my workshop at the moment , I'll take a few shots of the film holder next time I'm around there .
It seems quite well made , hopefully it's light-tight and fit for the job .
I'll be trying it with photographic paper in first before buying film .

Then they were not from Vinyl.

Hopefully I'll get lucky and it'll soften mine up , whatever there made off !