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Bellows gathering hardware


david_goldfarb

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I would like to add some D-rings and cords to my tapered bellows and front standard for the purpose of gathering the small end of the bellows toward the lens to prevent vignetting when using wider lenses. Typically, I just use gaffer's tape for this purpose, but eventually, this is going to start leaving gummy residue on my camera. I figure I can rig something up pretty easily from available materials designed for backpacks from a camping store, but does anyone know if someone company that has already thought this through makes a kit for this purpose?
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Here's an idea, get some small strips of leather and attach them to

the D-rings, then fix the leather to the bellows. Though I'm not as

sure about fixing the hoks to the front standard, as happily I do't

have this problem as the designers already fitted them on mine in

manufacture.

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David,

 

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Keith Canham seems to have solved this rather neatly. He uses a small

piece of velcro attached (glued?) to the top of the bellows,

several folds behind the lens, and a mating strip of velcro attached

to the front standard.

 

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It works very well and is entirely adjustable. I imagine anyone could

do this to their own bellows for very little money.

 

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Good luck, Sergio.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Thanks for the responses. After some contemplation, here's what I've

decided to do:

 

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This is an 8x10" Gowland PocketView with a nylon bellows and a metal

front standard without much room to attach hooks or velcro. The

camera also folds flat, so I've decided to avoid any metal or plastic

hardware that might press into and potentially damage the bellows

while the camera is packed away.

 

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I made some loops out of 2 cm flat nylon ribbon by folding the ribbon

over and sewing a seam straight across, leaving flaps for gluing, and

glued them to the bellows with a pliable adhesive called "Pliobond."

The adhesive is drying right now, and it looks pretty good. Then I'll

put some thinner nylon cord through the ribbon loops, and I'll be able

to loop the cord over the adjustment knobs on the front standard

without having to add any new hooks. I'll report back once I've

tested it.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Just a quick note from Hawai'i where I've been visiting family and

doing some photographing for the past two weeks. My bellows

compression system has held up perfectly. I have a nylon cord with

three loops about an inch apart hanging from each of the ribbon loops

so that I can quickly loop them over the front knobs after I've made

my adjustments.

 

<p>

 

I think Pliobond would be the ideal stuff for attaching bellows

patches if necessary.

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