I would like to know what manufacturers in the USA currently make replacement bellows for view cameras at reasonable prices. Is anyone out there satisfied or not satisfied with a certain manufacturers bellows after purchasing one? I need addresses and phone numbers. Contact: talltandj@aol.com

-- thomas ferko (talltandj@aol.com), January 30, 1998

Answers

I used Western Bellows Co., 9340 7th st., Suite G, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730-5664, Phone (909)980-0606, after receiving recommendations for them in the internet newsgroups. I have been well satisfied with their quality. A second resource which also came recommended was Universal Bellows, 25 Hanse Ave., Freeport NY 11520 (516) 378-1264. I hope this information helps.

-- Bill O'Dell (billochem@aol.com), January 31, 1998.

A company located in Largo, Florida (a few miles west of Tampa) called Flexible Products makes replacement bellows. They made a replacement bellows for my Linhof Technikardan and I had mixed feelings about the results. The quality of the work and the materials seemed fine in general. However, the Technikardan requires a very thin material for the bellows because of the short distance between the front and rear standards when the bellows was folded. The material used was too thick and didn't allow the camera to be folded properly. The company was very nice, however, in offering to replace the bellows with one of lighter material. Before I had a chance to take them up on the offer I sold the camera so I don't know how another bellows would have worked out.

-- Brian Ellis (bellis@satie.arts.usf.edu), February 06, 1998.

You will find some addresses here: http://home.sol.no/~gjon/lffaq.htm

-- Jon Grepstad (gjon@online.no), February 06, 1998.

I know this is a little late but my experience with Universal Bellows in Freeport, NY was quite positive. For 150.00 plus S&H they replaced the bellows on my Master View. It may not be magnificent leather but it seems to be durable vinyl. It's still to new to tell but my pocket book is happy. They even made them longer per my request so now I have 32.5 inches of extension instead of 28.

-- Sean yates (yatescats@yahoo.com), September 18, 1998.

A & A MFG. In New Berlin, Wi manufactures custom bellows for many optical applications. The complete address is, A & A mfg. 2300 S.calhoun Rd., New Berlin WI, 53151. PH:262-786-1500

-- STEVE DAY (STEVED@GORTITE.COM), November 28, 2001.