paul_ong1 Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 <p>Hi,<br> I want to construct a custom bag bellows for my 4x5. I tried doing some google search, but I have not found any definitive answer. I would like to by some light-proof cloth that I can sew into a bag.<br> Can anyone give me some advice on what type of material is best, where I can purchase the material, and how to seal the seams?<br> Thank you in advance.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allen_whittier Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 <p>I once made one from a black soft leather woman's purse that I picked up in a thrift store. It had the advantage of already being a bag. It wasn't fancy, but it worked.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ernest-b Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 <p>You can probably find a used, good-condition changing bag for very little expense, and cut it up. (If money's no object, you could buy a new changing bag.) They're made out of lightproof, flexible black material: you can use the material alone or as the inner liner of a more elaborate bellows, bonding it to an exterior covering of leather or vinyl. Changing bags come in different sizes, so you should make sure you get one that is sufficiently large (i.e., has sufficient material) to satisfy your need.</p> <p>In any event, you'll probably do much better gluing the seams, rather than trying to sew them. With each touch of the sewing needle you would be making a new pinhole that you'd subsequently have to seal (and keep sealed, over time).</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomscott Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 <p>How about shutter curtain material from Aki Asahi, its silk which has a rubberized coating on each side. <a href="http://aki-asahi.com/store/html/curtains/shutter-curtain.php">http://aki-asahi.com/store/html/curtains/shutter-curtain.php</a> You might try brush on electrical tape for sealing the seam, I have used it with good success for sealing pin holes in old MF folding camera bellows.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vinny_walsh Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 <p>Mine are made of leather. Very flexible and stable in all conditions I've encountered. Also compatible with IR film, other materials are not.</p> <p>vinny</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_ong1 Posted October 9, 2009 Author Share Posted October 9, 2009 <p>Allen, sounds like a great idea. I will have to find a thrift shop this weekend to hunt around. Also, I should ask my wife if she has an old purse no longer in use and appropriate.<br> Ernest, thanks. Completely forgot about film changing bag. They come up once in awhile on craigslist, so I will keep an eye open for one.<br> Tom, thanks. I recently purchased a light seal kit from them for my Mamiya, so I will give them a look.<br> Vinny, I think my current bag is leather but not in great condition. But I do like the idea. Any particular type of leather?</p> <p>For all, is the purpose of the inner line (usually some fuzzy material) to reduce internal reflection? Is there a concern about lint?</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monophoto Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 <p>I made a bag bellows using black vinyl (artificial leather) with a black felt inner liner. Definitely light-tight, but it's a bit stiff. </p> <p>As to the seams, the best solution is to simply fold the material and stitch everything down tight.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sven_erik_nilsson Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 <p>I made a bag bellow of a piece of cow-leather which I got from a leather sofa pattern shop. I cut 4 equal barrel shaped pieces and sew them together. I used my wifes sewing machine and that never became useful again after my bellow was ready, but that´s another story (I bought her a new one).<br> I covered the seams on the inside with black fabrik to avoid light leakage.<br> It worked perfectly.</p> <p> </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_ong1 Posted October 13, 2009 Author Share Posted October 13, 2009 <p>Louie and Sven-Erik,<br> Thanks. I will add black vinyl to my list of possible material. However, an old purse is on the top of my list because it is cheap and it contributes to recycling. I have asked my wife if she has an appropriate purse. I don't think I have to replace it since she has many already.<br> I will certainly cover the seams, perhaps with some black fabric tape or other type of black tape. Not sure what to do about a sewing machine. My sister-in-law has one, but I don't want to break it. But, I will find a way.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomscott Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 <p>Do you have a shoe repair shop in the area? I bet they would be glad to sew it for you.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_ong1 Posted October 15, 2009 Author Share Posted October 15, 2009 <p>Tom,<br> Excellent suggestion. I will start looking around for one.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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