Replacing Bellows on Omega View 45E 4x5 Large Format Camera

[tlv_18]

Hi all. I was wondering if anyone could give me any advice/instructions on replacing the bellows on an Omega View 45e 4x5 camera. I am interested in purchasing one off of eBay, but the bellows don't seem to be in good shape and I don't think this is a model that comes with interchangeable bellows. I'm trying to find instructions online, but there doesn't seem to be any information. Anyone have any ideas or thoughts?

 

[John Koehrer]

There may be some metal parts at both the front and rear of the bellows.
They're inside the bellows. Other option is glue but I think(?) that's more common in wooden cameras.
You could ask the seller to take a peek, initially they may not be seen but a gentle push up or down
should expose them.

 

[shutterfinger]

I'm trying to find instructions online, but there doesn't seem to be any information.

That's because you don't know how to use a search engine.
Google-Omega 45 E View Camera - first hit = https://www.pacificrimcamera.com/rl/00877/00877.pdf
There's another link down the 1st page for one at https://www.butkus.org/chinon/

I have had good luck repairing bellows with pin holes by painting the inside with Golden Heavy Body Acrylic Artist paint #1040 Carbon Black diluted 1:1 with water and applied with a fine bristle economy artist brush in 2 or 3 thin coats allowing the paint to dry thoroughly between coats until the pin hole(s) are light tight. For a split between pleats one can bond rip stop nylon or player piano bellows cloth (.007 inch thick rubberized nylon) to the inside over the tear then paint as needed to make them light tight. Of course if the material is dry rotted or heavily worn its time to replace them.

John made his post as I was typing this one. Bellows are attached two ways, glued to the standard or glued to a frame that is attached by screw are the most common.

 

[tlv_18]

I found both of those links in my research. Neither of them talk about bellow replacement.

I'm fairly certain this model uses glue and screws. Do you have any recommendation about what to use to remove the original glue? And what glue to use for attaching the new bellows?

 

[shutterfinger]

The best adhesive remover is Mostenblockers Liftoff https://www.ebay.com/itm/Motsenbock...h=item4b5dfbf871:g:ZUwAAOSwiKdcO93u:rk:6:pf:0 . Krud Cutter isn't that good; Goo Gone leaves a oily residue that is hard to remove; Goof Off requires excellent ventilation or use outdoors and might damage some camera finishes.
Pliobond #2 https://www.ebay.com/itm/Adhesive-P...V27Mg:sc:USPSFirstClass!94080!US!-1:rk:2:pf:0 is easy to clean up excess and holds well. Solvent based contact cements can be used but are not recommended due to the solvents needed to remove excess.

 

[shutterfinger]

I found both of those links in my research. Neither of them talk about bellow replacement.

Instruction manuals for most cameras made have made it to the web. Service manuals sometimes called repair manuals were limited to factory service centers or factory authorized repair shops then when the factory quit supporting those models the manuals were tossed as outdated or sold to second hand manual sellers with a very small percentage making it to the general public via the web. Search terms matter when looking for servicing information.
View cameras are fairly simple in construction but precision machined and can easily be reverse engineered.

 

[darkroommike]

The bellows of the 45E and 45D appear to be glued and screwed, the Omega 45F and the Toyo G have interchangeable bellows.