storage of folder cameras

[ralf_j.]

What is the best way to store folder cameras? Folded away, or fully opened on

their resting leggs?

 

Please let me know what you think.

[nano_burger]

I would think that folded would be better. The weak point on these cameras are the bellows. Storing folded limits its exposure to UV light, atmopheric pollutants, cats and other hazards.

[winfried_buechsenschuetz1]

On the other hand, bending soft materials always means stressing them. So keeping the folders folded means a lot of stress to the bellows folds. I usually keep them unfolded. UV light should not be a big concern - at least for me, I keep my cameras in a glass-door closet in the back of a room, away from the windows.

[peter_naylor1]

I go with Winfried here and keeping them fully opened, on the basis that ageing leather stands a better chance of survival when stressed as little as possible. Besides, they look much nicer when fully extended into operational mode - and isn't that how we like to see them?

[pico_digoliardi]

All bellows should be stored folded. It minimizes air contact, keeps the pleats folded and straight. There is no excessive 'pressure' on folded camera bellows, and some pressure is even desirable.

[yann1]

I have an old Brownie and a retina, and I keep them in a dry box unfolded all the time, I've even decided not to fold the brownie anymore. I also personally think that it's the best way to keep the bellows ok.

[michael schub]

I agree with Pico; open bellows expose a greater surface area to the air and collect harmful dust and grit. BTW Gondalfi told be to clean leather bellows with a good saddle soap; it both cleans and moisturizes.

 

Michael

[john falkenstine]

Keeping them open also exposes them to the poking fingers of children of all ages.

[rogerp]

I suppose it also depends on one�s attitude to this collecting game. Or more accurately are you a collector or a hoarder? Presumably if you collect for the beauty of these old cameras you�ll want to look at them often yourself and show them off to your friends. They don�t make much of a display folded up and packed in a box do they? On the other hand if you just want to squirrel them away they are probably in the long run safer folded, packed and stored in humidity controlled environment.

 

Roger

[ralf_j.]

I constantly use my cameras, whether they are TLR's or folders. I do collect them, but the primary use is getting exposed negatives out of them :-).

 

I just got an kodak with destroyed bellows and am finding out how hard it is to replace them :-(.

[Charles_Webster]

Comes down to "Is it a camera for use, or a camera for display?" If for use, fix it up and shoot with it. If for display, show it open on its legs.

 

I have both kinds of antique cameras, a Kodak #1 folder with a dented body that looks good on the shelf, a Ciro-flex awaiting repair, and an Argus C-3 that I use weekly. The Argus would look great on the shelf, but looks better in my gear bag.

 

<Chas>

[mark_wilson4]

Heck. now I'm really confused...both points of view sound so CONVINCING.

 

I think I'll store half mine open and half of them closed. Or all of them half open. No...nevermind.

 

On a more serious note, my 6.5x9 Patent Etui has a hole in the bellows, surrounded by green gunk, from where the viewfinder was jammed into it for decades. It was stored closed, and it was designed to be so compact that everything jams into everything else.

The hole may have been from friction related to repeated opening and closing, though.

 

M

[rob_murray]

Mold and Mildew like enclosed dark places like folded cameras, I would leave them open.

[dan_fromm2]

Interesting thread. It prompts a question. When new, folding cameras were kept folded when not in use. What has changed since our old crocks of folders, mine included, were new?

[chromatic-aberration]

Well, the leather has put on a lot of years since the old crocks were new crocks.