Where to get affordable Kardan bellows?

[kristopher_lawrence]

Hi,

I purchased my first 4x5 camera this week. It is a Linhof Kardan Super-Color, the camera itself is in really good condition, but the bellows are not light tight. Exteded there is like hundred of pinholes in the folding part of the bellow...

So, I tried to repare it buy appliying a mixture of glue and black ink, it helped a bit but I still need new bellows.

I paid 500$ for the camera and a 210 Fujinon and 6 holders + 2 rollfilm backs. I know it is a good deal, but I seriously don't want to pay 600$ for a new Linhof bellow, where can I find another one?

Thanks alot

Kris who is entering the world of large format!

 

[jp80874]

I bought a Technikardan 45 with a bad bellows several years ago. A new factory bellows was $500+. Camera Bellows in England built one for about $200 plus air post to the USA. It has been excellent ever since.

Their web site camerasbellows.com does not seem to work now. I think I faxed them a request for quote and then we continued by email. I hope they are still in business.

Camera Bellows
Unit 3-5 St. Paul's Rd, Balsal Heath
Birmingham B12 8NG England
Tel 0121 4401695 Fax 0121 4400972


John

 

[bliorg]

I sent a quote request to camerabellows.com a week or so ago, and haven't heard back yet. And now I see you're right - the website's gone. Bode's ill...

 

[Jerevan]

Looked at camerabellows.com today - website works fine now, maybe only a glitch?

 

[2F/2F]

E-Bay for a used bellows, and probably Camera Bellows or Western Bellows for a brand new bellows.

You should be able to get bellows on ebay in excellent condition for about 20 to 30 percent of what they will run you new. (My Sinar bag bellows was under $80 shipped, and in unused, perfect condition.) I don't know if Linhof bellows are all made of leather or not, but all the ones I have seen are, and tend to get a bit ragged with use. If so, an older used bellows might be more dodgy, and I would ask for nice macro photos and a light-tight test. You might just want to take this opportunity to "upgrade" to a synthetic bellows instead, and just go ahead and order from a custom shop like those mentioned.