As some of you may know, I'm in the process of building an 8x10 camera, similar to this:



I'm at the point now of needing to make a bellows, and I'm trying to find a good material to use. In the old days, bellows were usually made of very thin leather, but I'm looking for something a little easier (and cheaper) to work with. What I need is a material (plastic? cloth?) that:

1. Is completely light-proof
2. Is thin and flexible, and will hold a crease
3. Is relatively cheap and easy to find.

Can anyone recommend something to try?

Thanks

Don’t know what to suggest but I have a bellows like that from an enlarger. Not sure the condition. If they are still in good shape do you want them?

quote:

Originally posted by Chris42:
Don’t know what to suggest but I have a bellows like that from an enlarger. Not sure the condition. If they are still in god shape do you want them?

I appreciate the offer, but I don't think an enlarger bellows will be big enough. The rear of this bellows needs to be 12" x 12".

Bristol Board paper?

Edit. Here you go.

http://www.instructables.com/i...large-format-camera/

EDIT: Posted eight minutes ago ... I got sidetracked. Roll Out The Barrels on accordion ...

I just bought linen-backed waterproof scratch cloth. Very flexible. And some of the best old-style hinges are actually fabric. Think books. So that was my first set of ideas.

Did you know I play accordion? Yep, that is me downtown with the cup in front of me. Idea 2. If it needs to taper, accordion bellows would be out. http://libertybellows.com

Then the 3rd idea, making them. First buying a 3x5 set or 5x7 set on ebay, NOS Kodak bellows, to see how they deay with the corners, then making them with cardboard and fabric.

LennyB wrote a step-by-step ...

http://www.instructables.com/i...large-format-camera/

Maybe a roll of gasket material.

I just did a search..."Restoring the bellows on a view camera". Got all sorts of hits back.

Have You looked at any of those?

quote:

Originally posted by FN in MT:
I just did a search..."Restoring the bellows on a view camera". Got all sorts of hits back.

Have You looked at any of those?

Yeah, I've been looking into this for awhile. I'm just not sure what to use.

Try oilcloth.

Most bellows made after WWII were a ruberized light proof woven fabric. I have a 4x5 Toyo Monorail that was purchased new in 1982 and that was the material used. It's actually rather similar to the fabric used for a changing bag but seem to be a stiffer and heavier fabric. following is a lonk to one possibility I found in a google search for "light proof rubberized fabric". While a thickness of just 0.005 inch seems a bit thin you may try bonding two layers using spray Contact Adhesive.

https://www.thorlabs.com/NewGr...ectGroup_ID=190#2536

Ugh. I just spent my Friday night wandering around the fabric aisle at Hobby Lobby.

Here's a commercial bellows manufacturer that uses polyurethane-coated polyester.

quote:

Originally posted by FiveFiveSixFan:
Here's a commercial bellows manufacturer that uses polyurethane-coated polyester.

You might be on to something there. Thanks for the link.