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Anadi
Tinkerer
Username: Anadi
Post Number: 1
Registered: 04-2011
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 22, 2011 - 01:35 am: | 
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I have looked through the archives, and so far found two recommendations regarding people who make bellows replacements for antique cameras. However, John Craig has recently died, and the other gentleman from Hawaii seems to no longer be trading. Does any one have a further suggestion? I have a Kodak, No. 2 Folding Hawk Eye model B.
I have taken it to one repair man who dismissed it (and me), expressing that all of these cameras are worthless and not worth the cost of bellows replacement. However the camera is worth a great deal to me, and I would like to see it functioning again. It was my grandmother's first camera, she bought it in 1926.
As a small kid in the 1960s I used to walk all over grandma's farm looking at the world through the view finder. I was fond of the farm, fond of the camera and fond of grandma. The camera is the only one left.
As an introduction to the forum, My name is Anadi. I have a several home-made pinhole cameras, and darkroom at home that doubles as a basement storage area. |
Msiegel
Tinkerer
Username: Msiegel
Post Number: 240
Registered: 03-2008
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 22, 2011 - 02:29 am: |
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THere is this company in the UK:
http://www.custombellows.co.uk/products.html
But I don't know if they are still doing business it looks like their website has not been updated for quite a while. But I guess for the price of an email you can find out.
Regards
Martin |
Connealy
Tinkerer
Username: Connealy
Post Number: 35
Registered: 02-2008
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 22, 2011 - 11:02 am: |
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How bad is the bellows on the camera? Small pinholes can be easily filled with black fabric paint obtained from about any crafts store. Larger holes can often be fixed with black silicone or a product called liquid electrical tape.
If you do a search on "replacement bellows" on ebay you will find some listed at 2 for $15. You will need to make some measurements to be sure you get the right size.
On the old Kodaks, the bellows are held in place in the back by about six bendable tabs. The front end is usually secured by some rivets which can be drilled out, and possibly by some glue as well. So, it is not a trivial task to replace them, but if you take the job to someone familiar with the process it should still be quite a bit cheaper than having custom bellows made at a cost around $50 to $100.
It is actually rather rare that the old Kodaks have serious bellows problems as very good quality materials were used for bellows construction. You can likely find the same model camera as the one you have in good condition for $10 or less on ebay. |
Hanskerensky
Tinkerer
Username: Hanskerensky
Post Number: 87
Registered: 05-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 22, 2011 - 03:15 pm: |
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The past 2 years i had bellows made by Custombellows in the UK and by Sandeha Lynch in the UK. Both for Agfa Isolette bellows which are quite easy to replace. The address of Custombellows is allready shown some postings earlier. A webpage from Sandeha Lynch you can find here :
Sandeha Lynch bellows
Bear in mind that if they are able to make bellows for you they probably want to have your cameras old bellows as a reference. |
Foto_gaga
Tinkerer
Username: Foto_gaga
Post Number: 50
Registered: 02-2010
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 22, 2011 - 05:13 pm: |
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Turner bellows http://turnerbellows.com/photographic_bellows.html |
Anadi
Tinkerer
Username: Anadi
Post Number: 2
Registered: 04-2011
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 23, 2011 - 03:48 am: |
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Wow! I really appreciate all the responses and the help. Thanks!
Anadi |
Beamascope
Tinkerer
Username: Beamascope
Post Number: 1
Registered: 04-2011
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 23, 2011 - 09:21 am: |
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I have this camera and have done some research into new bellows for it. Here is a link to the part number finder... http://www.craigcamera.com/research_KodakBellows.htm
and a link to what I am almost certain are the bellows you and I need.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120603819811&ssPageName=STRK: MEWAX:IT#ht_3936wt_934
I actually painted my bellows with liquid electrical tape a few years back. It worked great and the camera has no light leaks but it can't be folded up unless I replace the bellows. Good luck |
Br1078lum
Tinkerer
Username: Br1078lum
Post Number: 81
Registered: 11-2010
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 23, 2011 - 11:01 am: |
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I tried the liquid tape on an Ansco Viking, and the problem with it is it pulled away from the areas it was applied after I closed the camera then opened it up. Guess it won't adhere to the paper type of material that Agfa/Ansco used for their bellows. I'm going to try the fabric paint next.
Then a new one from Sandeha.
PF |
Anadi
Tinkerer
Username: Anadi
Post Number: 3
Registered: 04-2011
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 28, 2011 - 02:41 am: |
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I bought the 15$ bellows of off ebay. It appears that they are sold as a set of 3 !! This is probably a good thing, as I have broken a lot things in my life while trying to "repair" them.
The current bellows are completely open along all four corner, as well as having additional tears.
Cheers |
