6x6 Folders with leather bellows - which ones?!

[Scott]

Hi, all -

I'm trolling for 6x6 folders with leather bellows.  I know the pre-war Agfas used them, as well as early Anscos.  But what else?  Is there some ubiquitous model/models of old folders that are cheap and plentiful?  I seem to always need bellows donors for Isolettes and Speedexes, and there's gotta be something I can steal 'em from, but all I ever seem to find are 6x9s...

Ideas?

Scott

[Glenn Thoreson]

I have quite a few 6X6 folders. It seems that not many used real leather for their bellows. Unless I just can't tell the difference. I know somebody does have new ones for the Isolettes. I just can't remember who it is. Jurgen Kreckel (Sp?), perhaps?

[sandeha]

Scott, I just did a surgical removal of some leather bellows from a Voigtlander 6x6 Baby Bessa.  Measurements are: 40mmx40mm at the lens end, with a 27mm diameter lens hole (includes metal lensmount insert) and 56mmx57mm open measurement at the film end with about 5mm width of flange all around.  This was originally for a 75mm Voigtar lens.  It's pretty good.

If the measurement sounds right, I might swap you for a roll of 120 bw to go into my new Baby Bessa Pinhole camera (shutter mounted on closed door - 38mm focal length).

[Mike Kovacs]

Stick with the Zeiss Ikon folders - I have only had one of many that was pinholed.  Real leather bellows, even on the cheap and plentiful Nettars.

[Scott]

I have quite a few 6X6 folders. It seems that not many used real leather for their bellows. Unless I just can't tell the difference. I know somebody does have new ones for the Isolettes. I just can't remember who it is. Jurgen Kreckel (Sp?), perhaps?

Glenn, Jurgen gets $75 for his replacement bellows, and he keeps the good colors for himself.    I also tried camerabellows.com; $45 for a synthetic one, plus shipping from the UK.  I'm too much a bottomfeeder for that.

Scott, I just did a surgical removal of some leather bellows from a Voigtlander 6x6 Baby Bessa.  Measurements are: 40mmx40mm at the lens end, with a 27mm diameter lens hole (includes metal lensmount insert) and 56mmx57mm open measurement at the film end with about 5mm width of flange all around.  This was originally for a 75mm Voigtar lens.  It's pretty good.

If the measurement sounds right, I might swap you for a roll of 120 bw to go into my new Baby Bessa Pinhole camera (shutter mounted on closed door - 38mm focal length).

Sandeha, I appreciate the offer.  Let me pull the bellows on the Speedex and measure it.  If it'll work, I'd be happy to send you some film!

Stick with the Zeiss Ikon folders - I have only had one of many that was pinholed.  Real leather bellows, even on the cheap and plentiful Nettars.

Thanks for the tip, Mike.  I'll start watching the Nettars.  Hate to cannabalize a ZI for an Agfa, though... :eek:

[Mike Kovacs]

Just don't buy Agfa's again...not worth the trouble IMO with pinholed bellows and (frequently) worn chrome.

I think you are a candidate for learning how to make your own bellows.  There is information on the net if you look around.  There's enough demand you could probably even make a nice little business out of it...

[Scott]

I think you are a candidate for learning how to make your own bellows.  There is information on the net if you look around.  

I think you're right.  Had this desire a while ago, and even got some lightproof material from Joseph Allen, but never got moving on it.  Looks like Sandeha's bellows will work on my Speedex, but I've got that bellows out and in hand now.  All I need is some time to try and make one...

[Mike Kovacs]

Seems just as bad to steal from a Voigtlander as a Zeiss Ikon :rolleyes:

[Scott]

Seems just as bad to steal from a Voigtlander as a Zeiss Ikon :rolleyes:

Hey, I'm just accepting the offer...

[Victor Mayes]

Go for the Nettar bellows. I put a Nettar 6X9 bellows into an Agfa Ventura 69 Deluxe a couple of months ago. I prefer the Agfa to the Nettar!