Fixing Agfa bellows

[melek]

I've tried liquid electrical tape, but it can be messy - and sticky.

I tried this on a fabric shutter curtain, and when it dried, the shutter curtain was extremely stiff. That could be a problem for bellows that need to collapse and expand.

I had a Nikon S that had a ton of holes in the shutter curtain, and I used a fabric marker to fill the holes. I know that is going beyond the scope of this discussion.

Getting back to the gaffer's tape, there were portions that needed some extra adhesion, so I used a tiny amount of contact cement. That worked, because the contact cement remained pliable.

[titrisol]

It seems that you commented on al old thread in KYPHOTO( saved by RFF) stating that the Solinette was a design from hell
https://www.rangefinderforum.com/classi ... 1328462515

That wasn't me, but I remember that a while back. I was talking to someone about it, Pete Lutz maybe?

Anyway, on these folding Agfa/Anscos I always just replace them. Sandeha's bellows fit very well and are pretty easy to install. I've bought the old folding Jsolettes before to act as donors, as they generally had leather bellows that were almost always robust, but I was never able to sacrifice one, as they're nice cameras in their own rights.

My 8x10 Seneca has the bellows patched with gaff tape. Works well for them, but they're a bit stiffer and don't compress nearly as much as before. I don't think it'd work with a 6x6 bellows.

[scott]

It seems that you commented on al old thread in RFF stating that the Solinette was a design from hell
https://www.rangefinderforum.com/classi ... 1328462515

That's awesome. I have absolutely ZERO recollection of that. Ah, old age striking early...

[titrisol]

I diluted the liquid electrical tape with some xylene to make it easier to paint
I covered the 4 corners and most of the rear-side
It seems to have solve the issue, loading some Aviphot in camera and will play with it tomorrow.
I'm leaving the 1st frame loaded to see if there is any pinholes

wish me luck

[titrisol]

Alright, after PBBlaster magic I have 5 Isolettes!
3 are in good shape and 2 have pinhole bellows
Will keep applying liquid tape and see where we go
Family portrait to come later

I was surprised to see that AGNAR and APOTAR lenses were almost identical, I always thought they weren't

[titrisol]

And here are my 5 Isolettes
Front: Jsolette 6/6x4 - Isolette II - Jsolette
Back: Jsolette* - Speedex*
The two in the back need bellows repair/replacement
I'm also tempted to polish the speedex to brass since the chrome is pitted all over.
Polish, and cover with some spar varnish to keep it shining... any other way?

[titrisol]

For Isolettes Sandeha is the man!!!!

[Bennybee]

That's a good looking Isolette! It looks almost like new and I really like the colour of those bellows! The Isolette was -and still is IMO- one of the best looking folders of its time. Pretty simple but still well made and very efficient cameras. I should use mine more often, but sadly the double exposure lock does no longer engage after releasing the shutter. I took off the top cover but did not succeed in repairing it. Not *that* simple after all I guess