Replacing Light Seals

Brian Schmidt

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Dec 14, 2015
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81
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USA
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Hello.

Have any of you ever replaced the light seals on an old plate camera? I am speaking of the fur-like ones where the dark slide goes or where the film holder slides on.

What do you replace them with? I have found plush velvet on eBay but it is much less plush than the ones that came with the camera.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Brian
 

John Shriver

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Sep 8, 2006
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35mm RF
Well, there's the felt from 35mm film magazines. But it comes in such short lengths.

Have a look at the velvet ribbons at a craft store. Used that for felt in some Leica lens caps.
 

John Shriver

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Sep 8, 2006
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35mm RF
Oh, was just reading another post, and realized there's a good piece of felt/velvet in a "film pack". You could buy empty (or even full) Kodak film packs on eBay, and strip the felt from them.
 

juan

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Go to a fabric store - Jo-Ann for instance. They have felt in various colors including black on self adhesive sheets that are about 8x10 or so. You can easily cut to size with an Xacto knive.
juan
 
OP
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Brian Schmidt

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Dec 14, 2015
Messages
81
Location
USA
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Medium Format
APUGuser19 said:
An idea like what Hasselblad used on their dark-slide slots, fabricated out of film leader and foam might work.
Click to expand...

That is a pretty good idea. That film leader is sort of thick and waxy, and black to boot. It isn't like I don't have a bunch laying around.

John Shriver said:
Oh, was just reading another post, and realized there's a good piece of felt/velvet in a "film pack". You could buy empty (or even full) Kodak film packs on eBay, and strip the felt from them.
Click to expand...

If I found a broken Graflex sheet film holder I might be able to get one out of there. There is a chance I have one kicking around. Those can be pretty cheap, too.

Also I just happened to be observant and find something that bears some resemblance to what I am looking for. Go look at the door frame around where your screen door closes and you will see what I mean. It probably could be tinted black. Just another idea.
 

paul ron

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i think its called velour or velvet, not felt. also when installing the material, notice the direction of the material.

try a fabric outlet like joanns or michaels.
 
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