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Adjusting Bellows in 8x10


neil_poulsen1

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I just today purchased a Kodak 2D 8x10 camera with extension for $375.

It's in lovely shape. What a nice camera. It's light, and it has all

the movements that I would need.

 

To my question, I suspect the bellows are new, because the bellows in

the back standard have been mounted about 1/4" low. This results in a

narrow strip at the top of the back standard vignetting when the front

is raised for long focal length lenses.

 

How might this be corrected? Could a fumble fingers like myself raise

the back bellows a little so that it doesn't encroach on the film.

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Can you just push or pull the bellows out of the way? On my 810

Deardorff, with a lot of rise and a 14" lens the bellows "sags" and

cuts off the top of the groundglass. I just stick my spot meter

between the camera bed and the bellows to hold them up out of

the way. Works fine, as long as I remember to do it.---Carl

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Congratulations on your purchase. A 2D is one of the best-kept secrets in large format photography if you ask me. No telling how many photographs are hanging on museum walls that were shot with one.

 

I just looked at mine, and I think that its bellows are origional. On it the bellows extend into the picture area by about 1/2" on each side, although I have never noticed this intruding into the picture.

 

As the rear standard is square, this intrusion would be top to bottom if the bellows were rotated 90 degrees when installed. It seems to be a function of which set of folds gets glued to the standard, I.E. innie or outtie, if we can use belly button terminology.

 

I tend to be compulsive and things like that bother me, however, old bellows tend to be fragile.

 

I think this line is from Lear: "trying to make better we oft mar what is well".

 

I think if it were mine, I would try to find a way to do a work around or live with the problem.

 

For me part of the charm of old cameras is their history and eccentricities.

 

Neal

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