Bellows Care

[Gumshoe]

Ivor Matanle's advice on avoiding dust is to keep all cameras in unsealed plastic bags - which seems to destroy any hope of an attractive display, so I ignore it. However, now we come to bellows, and I'm looking for advice. I've got several folders, Zeiss Ikon Nettars, Voigtlander Perkeo/Bessa, and a lovely Ensign Selfix. But, if I put them on display, what do I do? Show them folded, or open? Which is more, or less, harmful to the bellows? Are they best squashed into the body, or nicely extended? My guess would be extended - in other words, the camera open. Am I right?

John

[Stephen]

Nobody has ever solved the mystery of bellows storage, open or closed, but older real leather are best open, in general.

Leatherette and composition cloth are best stored closed, based on the experience of finding old cameras not touched for years, and finding good condition bellows.

It is damp that is the enemy to all bellows, rot sets in, older animal based glues dry up, and turn to powder, or the leather bellows simply age too much. Leather treatments usually work, but do not over do it with leather bellows, it softens the folds too much.

With mid 30's onwards cameras, they used composition leather, posh paper and cloth!, and my feeling is both closed and open work! Keep at steady moisture levels, no damp, and no excessively dry hot air.

Finally, it is general wear and tear that cause the issues with bellows, not storage or display. Storage should of course be dust free, but good dust sealed cabinets are better than bagging the cameras. But loose bagging works if mass stored in boxes.

Stephen.

[Gumshoe]

Mm, talking of dry hot air that's all we're getting lately! Or perhaps I'm wrong, because humidity here in Wales today is quoted as 61%. But thanks, Stephen. I think common sense kicks in, doesn't it, no excess of anything. My philosophy throughout life has been 'moderation in all things' (don't know if I've ever stuck to it!) and perhaps that's a guide to caring for cameras. I'll open 'em up and see what happens.

John

[wilpenusa]

I'm concerned about this issue myself. I have most of my folders displayed open so I can enjoy them but I live in Vegas where it is hot and dry. It is very hard to keep dust off of anything displayed. Our humidity usual runs from 2- 30% and our outside temps in the summer is about 102-112+. Zeiss, Welta, Golf, Kodak folders, and a Recently acquired Retina IIIc, do not show off closed up. I am running out of space and have limited space in my glass cases. I'm worried the bellows won't last long since all of these cameras are already over 60 yrs old.

[Stephen]

Humidity in Wales only 61%?......is that in between the rain storms/showers?......!!

Wilpenusa.......If the bellows have survived 60 years they are not going to suddenly decide Doomsday has arrived! if they are still sound then they have a while to go, and if bad, then they are due for replacement, as the deterioration set in a long time ago. It is just a matter of steering clear of extremes.

Stephen.

[Gumshoe]

Yes, that's my feeling. I'd guess the care I give them is at least as good as anything they've been faced with over those decades. Kid glove treatment is not always necessary. They were made to last, and they've certainly done that.

John

[Gumshoe]

I've been lucky so far, the bellows on the cameras I've got are mostly all good. When I get a bad one - which is inevitable - then the fun starts. I like the idea of neutral face cream, Marco! Sounds close to a small pot of Nivea I've got in the bathroom cabinet. Must bear it in mind when things start cracking...

[melek]

Generally, when I service a camera, I will use some saddle soap on bellows with leather covering. And then follow up with a bit of shoe polish.

I use the same treatment for the exterior for older cameras with Moroccan leather. After more than a decade, there has been no problem.

And I fully agree that damp conditions can cause damage in a short amount of time -- to a camera, its case and especially lenses.