Are any bellows companies still in business?

[David A. Goldfarb]

Custom Bellows UK (formerly Camera Bellows UK) did a fantastic job on my 11x14" American Optical bellows.

I've heard that Mark Kapono's work is good, but people on the LF forum have reported problems communicating with him and inordinately long waiting times, so I'd check the forum at lfphoto.info to see if there's any more recent information. Since I go to Hawai'i with some regularity, I'd really like to have a bellows maker in the state and generally to support a local Hawai'i business, but I'm not sure if he's worked out his reliability issues yet.

[Mahler_one]

I believe Richard Ritter can provide exactly what you need, especially since you are building your own camera. I suggest giving Mr. Ritter a call at his workshop in Vermont, and giving him all of the salient details. As you might know, Mr. Ritter has a vast experience in building, modifying, and repairing wooden field cameras of all types. Please let us know how things work out.

Richard T Ritter
POB 401
Townshend, VT. 05353-0401
(802) 365-7807
8AM to 6PM Week Days
&
Saturdays by chance
rrlg4mat@sover.net

[Ektagraphic]

How about trying to go through some of the companies still making cameras with bellows?

[David A. Goldfarb]

How about trying to go through some of the companies still making cameras with bellows?

Most of those are likely to source bellows from the other companies mentioned.

[2F/2F]

How about trying to go through some of the companies still making cameras with bellows?

They likely contract the English company to do their bellows.

[David A. Goldfarb]

The company in upstate New York, I think, was making bellows for Beseler or Omega enlargers for a long time. The UK supplier has patterns for many cameras, because they have been a major source.

[paul ron]

Custom Bellows UK (formerly Camera Bellows UK) did a fantastic job on my 11x14" American Optical bellows.

I've heard that Mark Kapono's work is good, but people on the LF forum have reported problems communicating with him and inordinately long waiting times, so I'd check the forum at lfphoto.info to see if there's any more recent information. Since I go to Hawai'i with some regularity, I'd really like to have a bellows maker in the state and generally to support a local Hawai'i business, but I'm not sure if he's worked out his reliability issues yet.

I'd be leary of Mark. He once dissapeared without telling anyone n left me high n dry holding 15 restored folders waiting for bellows. Although I didn't get burned, I have heard of people that have.