Suitable fabric for bellows?

letsbuildacamera · Aug 25, 2024

Thorlabs' BK5 is out of stock, and I can't find anything suitable that's both light tight and thin enough.

steve reilly · Aug 25, 2024

I'd be interested too , I want to make some bellows for some cameras but there is a lot of confusing info out on what material to use. Steve

Dan Daniel · Aug 25, 2024

Anyone tried the inner bag material of a film changing bag? This is a rubberized fabric. I've used it for the inner taking lens light trap bellows on Rolleiflexes and it has done well. But I've never tried it for a full external bellows.

Gato Diablo · Aug 25, 2024

I just ordered (and received) this fabric from Seattle Fabrics:

https://www.seattlefabrics.com/60-1...ut-Nylon-Ripstop-1250-linear-yard_p_1097.html

FWIW, I also ordered this leather, skived to 0.5mm:

https://www.rmleathersupply.com/products/alran-chevre-native-goat-leather-4-colors-2-5oz-1-2-mm

I haven't made any bellows yet, so be forewarned...

Wolfram Malukker · Aug 26, 2024

Nylon is very difficult to glue successfully. It's like polyethylene and polypropylene in that it's a low surface energy molecule, so when gluing nylon it usually needs to be "activated", by either ion bombardment or flame activation.

Hopefully it isn't a problem, but be aware of that with your nylon ripstop.

Patrick Robert James · Aug 26, 2024

Dan Daniel said:
Anyone tried the inner bag material of a film changing bag? This is a rubberized fabric. I've used it for the inner taking lens light trap bellows on Rolleiflexes and it has done well. But I've never tried it for a full external bellows.

I built a bellows for a Welta Weltur some 20 years ago with the interior of a film changing bag and a, get this, Trader Joe paper grocery bag. Still works....

letsbuildacamera · Aug 27, 2024

Wolfram Malukker said:
Nylon is very difficult to glue successfully. It's like polyethylene and polypropylene in that it's a low surface energy molecule, so when gluing nylon it usually needs to be "activated", by either ion bombardment or flame activation.

Hopefully it isn't a problem, but be aware of that with your nylon ripstop.

I'm told this stuff works pretty well:

8200 QUICK BOND ALL-PURPOSE SPRAY ADHESIVE - Roberts Consolidated

Web spray aerosol adhesive with high bond strength , ideal for bonding carpet, carpet pad, and for carpet repairFormulated to bond carpet pad to a wide array of substrates including concrete, APA-rated plywood, existing VTC (free of wax/finish), primed gypcrete and terrazzoFast tack adhesive...

www.robertsconsolidated.com

Gato Diablo · Aug 27, 2024

letsbuildacamera said:
'm told this stuff works pretty well:

Thanks for the recommendation. I have other adhesives to test, and ordered a can of the Roberts 8200 to add to the list.
Dan

Suitable fabric for bellows?

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