repairing a PB 4 bellows

<p>Help! Please. . .I have a PB-4 bellows with two tears in the paper fabric. I contacted Nikon re: a repair and they flat out said, "No!" <br>

Can one of you Wizards help me out? Either recommending a repair shop? Or, "How to do it" myself? <br>

I have seen some inexpensive Chinese bellows on EBAY and I was considering buying one of these and "stealing" the bellows because they are only $35 (shipping included). Does anyone know if these will fit the PB-4? And, is this a practical solution?<br>

Thanks for any and all comments.<br>

Brian</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Hi Brian,</p>

<p>As a temporary measure I would suggest wrapping the bellows in thick velvet of somesort. The bellow ribs do not take any loads other than their own weight so it cant be too heavy. It might not look very nice but it should get you by till you know how to fix it.<br>

A picture would be a massive help too. I am sure this has been done by a number of people.</p>

<p>On a seperate note.. Paper! what a bad choice. Some type of Aramid fibre would be much better.</p>

<p>Aramid fiber was probably not invented in the time the bellows were designed and made.</p>

<p>1. I have bought some bellows for my LF cameras in <a href="http://www.camerabellows.com/">Camera Bellows and Hoods</a>. They work pretty good, although very expensive.<br /> 2. I have repaired some bellows on MF cameras where a new replacement was not worth it with what is called here black "American tape", very similar to the blackout tape that also works. Black opaque textile material also works glued with a good contact adhesive.<br /> If you`re handy you can repair it by yourself. Even you can make your own bellows. Check <a href="http://www.cyberbeach.net/~dbardell/bellows.html">How to make Bellows</a> .</p>

<p>Good comments, all. Thank you.<br>

"Paper" may not be accurate re: the bellows fabric. It is "black something" <smile> <br>

I have just now sent off for information from camerabellows.com. . .Let's see what they have to offer <smile><br>

Brian</p>

 

<p>As a do-it-yourself remedy I suggest an RTV (room temperature vulcanization) black silicon/gasket maker. It remains pliable after curing...available at hardware and auto parts stores. (The specific product I've used for a wide range of repairs (but never bellows): Permatex Ultra Black Hi-Temp RTV Silicone Gasket Maker 598B.) If needing to send the PB-4 out for repair: Henry Paine Camera Repair, Stockton, CA, 209-942-2821. I bet the RTV silicon will fit the bill.</p>

<p>Thank you, Lilly.<br>

I have a call in to Henry (Stockton is just "down the hill" from where I live in Calaveras Jumping Frog territory). He's on vacation this week. <br>

The Permatex stuff is a "major trip" for me to get because of my "isolated" living circumstances. I live in Wilseyville--the sort of place that has no "ville!" No gas station; no store; no cafe. . .Just a zip code!<br>

Brian</p>

 

<p>What about the ever popular duct tape. It is available in black, if I remember the color of the bellows.</p>

<p>I've used black fabric paint, the stuff used to decorate t-shirts, for patching small leaks in bellows for folding cameras. Works very well, going on several years with one of my Agfa folders. Good for a quick fix while looking for a new bellows.</p>

<p>Another fix I've heard about is "liquid electrical tape" It should seal small holes pretty well, especially on this kind of bellows, for which a pinhole light leak is not fatal unless you're shooting with the camera shutter open and a leaf shutter lens at the end.</p>

<p>As I consider all that you've offered, I am "playing" with the bellows. . .And, it appears the fabric is beyond repair! Like many of us, it's just getting too old for patchwork fixes! Major "surgery" seems to be the only option (During the past several hours, as I've looked seriously at "fixes," more holes have opened up! And, what were only two relatively minor holes, are now half a dozen gaping chasms!)<br>

What knocks me over is how little help Nikon has offered. . .!!! Are others experiencing this "washing of hands" by the NikonTech people??<br>

Are they so intent on peddling NEW equipment that they are quitting the service business??<br>

Thanks for all your suggestions. . .<br>

Brian</p>

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<p>The PB-4 is a fairly old unit. Most manufacturers are not required by law to provide indefinite service, support or parts supply. Some do but they're the exception.</p>

<p>Anyway, this provides opportunities for other smaller businesses that can manufacture custom parts and offer maintenance. It's been that way in photography for many decades. And there are some sources for ready made and custom made bellows, thanks in part due to a resurgence in interest in old folding cameras.</p>

<p>Try the large format forum- they're the ones with the bellows know-how.</p>