How to fix leaky bellows?

[camperbc]

I finally started feeling a wee bit better lately, (permanent spinal injury; long story) and a good thing too, because I'm really tired of laying flat on my back in bed for days/weeks at a time, so I decided to get up and about, and attempt to find a way to adapt my lovely 1917 Kodak Autographic 1A folder to accept 120 roll film. Turns out it's quite simple really; just a matter of sticking plastic wall anchors into each end of a 120 spool, and then make a mask to support the narrower film. Piece of cake.

Then I got the bright idea that I should at least shine a light into the back of the camera to check for any leaks in the bellows, although the camera looks absolutely flawless; as if it is brand new. So how bad could the bellows really be!

Well, quite bad, it turns out. Although it shows no signs of wear on the exterior, the flashlight clearly tells a different story. So my question is... what can I do to fix these multiple leaks? I assume (hope!) that there must be some product out there that can be applied to fix light leaks in bellows, (I'm about to Google this shortly) and I'm hoping that some of you may have some personal experience with fixing these; that you may feel like sharing some of your wisdom?

I really, really want to use this camera. It's a real beauty; the finest I have ever seen. (well, aside from the bellows, that is!) The Anastigmat 130mm f7.7 lens looks like brand new. The leather is immaculate. The shutter is perfect. It even still has the original engraved stylus for "texting" a message onto the film. If there is any (affordable!) way to get this fine camera back to being light-tight, I know that it will take beautiful pictures. Any and all help will be greatly appreciated!

Thank-you all!

Glen
Focus On Newfoundland: about my photography:

 

[compur]

I use a product called Plasti-Dip. It is a thick liquid rubber that comes in different colors. I use black, of course, unless the bellows are a different color. If necessary I thin it with naphtha first. For large holes I first cover them with either black silk or thin gaffer tape and then brush on multiple coats of thinned Plasti-Dip. If you do it carefully the repair is almost invisible.

Here's Mamiya 6 folder I repaired using this method.

Before:

After:

 

[ravduc]

I actually own several of these cameras including a Kodak autographic 1 (circa 1917) like your's but it uses 120 film. It has the same lens. By the way, this lens is quite excellent. I have used the camera and the quality is quite impressive. If your bellows need minor patching (like pinholes), using black textile paint will do the trick. I have used this kind of paint to fix cloth focal shutters on older slr's (like the exakta and the Praktisix) and it works. Use a small brush and cover the holes from the inside of the bellows. Cracks in the folds are more difficult to fix mainly because they crack again after folding the bellows. Let the paint dry overnight. You can purchase textile paint in small containers at an art shop.

 

[ravduc]

View attachment 16409This photo was taken with this camera using Ektacolor 160.

 

[BKSPicture]

Wow that looks great!
Thanks for sharing

 

[bsinmich]

Go to "Camera collecting and restoration" and you will find all kinds of info on repair of bellows and even making your own replacements.

 

[Mully]

I used PlioBond (sp?) comes in a small bottle rubber based...all I did was make a small cotton patch and glue it in place and touch up with black paint