The latest bellows test was a complete success!

Last night I made a new bellows for my test camera, using the latest version of the patterns and instructions. It came out perfect!

Camera Bellows Outer Cover Fabric/Material available for sale

If you have no use for a DIY Camera Bellows Kit (because you already have your own patterns for instance), but you still need a lightproof material, the fabric used for the outer cover in the kit is now available HERE for sale by the sq foot. As an example, a 4x5 camera should not need more then 4 sq feet.

The bellows kit is now available for the selected beta testers.

The beta testers who were pre-selected are now invited to place their orders for the DIY Camera Bellows Kit. I hope to have the product available for sale to the general public soon. If you were preselected you can order the kit from here. Please ignore the "Out of Stock" warning.

Please contact me with any issue you may encounter during the ordering or assembly process.

The test bellows folded perfectly!

Last night I generated the patterns for my "guinea pig" camera and assembled the bellows. I didn't use the real cover material but rather some thin cotton, as I just wanted to test the geometry. The geometry came out perfect (in the picture the test bellows appears bigger but it's the just angle of view, the bellows has the proper dimensions), so the next step is to build the actual bellows with the proper bellows materials. This process will also be use to document the construction, both with still pictures and with video, media which will be used to augment the written assembly instructions.

OK, the bellows pattern generator is now working!

I've been quiet recently because i was working on a issue with my bellows CAD program. Now I'm pretty sure that is resolved. To the left you can see thumbnails of generated patterns for the stiffeners and the outer cover for my test camera. The patterns are designed to be used not only for cutting the stiffeners & the fabric but also for alignment.

I'm not in town now, but when I get back monday I will make a few sample bellows to make sure it actually works and then I will have the beta-testers orders their bellows. I will finalize the instructions on how to measure the bellows (or the camera for which you want the bellows for) during this weekend.

The current version of the program will handle both parallel and tapered bellows, square or rectangular of any size (I might have to outsource the printing for larger bellows due to the size of my printer). There are 8 measurements required for tapered bellows and 4 for parallel bellows.

The DIY Bellows Kit is almost ready!

Free DIY Camera Bellows Kit for "beta" testers

3/4/2010 Update - I have now enough beta testers for the first round, but if you'd like to be considered for a second round (if that will be necessary), you can still apply as described below.

In order to test the website ordering system, the bellows CAD (Computer Aided Design) software as well as the clarity of the related instructions/directions/documentation in real life situations we would like some volunteers. In the first round only 5 kits will be offered to 5 participants. If additional rounds will be necessary, we will announce it at that time.

How it works.

You will submit a request to become part of this offer. If approved, you will use the web ordering process to place and order and pay for the kit (with a credit card through PayPal). You will be asked to use the online documentation to figure out what information to provide and how to proceed. The kit will be mailed to you. You will be required to assemble the kit into a bellows based on the instructions included within 2 weeks from receipt and keep notes of the challenges you encounter and how you resolved them, if you did. Once the bellows is complete, you will be required to take detailed pictures of the bellows you produced before and after it was mounted on the camera (if it could be mounted) and send them to us along with answers to a 20 question questionnaire which will be included with the kit (you are also welcome to send any additional comments). At this point your purchase cost, including shipping will be refunded. If these materials are not received within two weeks from the receipt date, you forfeit your right to the refund of the purchase cost & shipping. The pictures and comments you send may be used for promotion or other materials and your name maybe be used in conjunction to this material.

Limitations :

In addition to any limitation & terms listed in the product description :
a) This offer is for bellows for 4x5 cameras or smaller.
b) Only one free kit is offered per participant
c) This offer is for US residents only
d) To apply to be part of this offer, please register here : http://www.diycamerakit.com and then use the "Contact us" form to send the following information :

• Camera manufacturer & model (if available)
• Camera type (folding flatbed, folding pocket, monorail, etc).
• If you have the bellows that needs to be replaced or not
• When it comes to DIY camera projects, are you a novice/somewhat experienced/experienced
• Film format of the camera (2x3, 4x5, etc)

The applications are evaluated in the order they are received. We should be able to have you place your order and ship the kits within a week.