Old style bellows w/ 135mm

[freakymike]

I got a bellows set for christmas and haven't used one in 20+ years. There is a problem though. When I cock the knob that cocks the lens it DOESN'T stay open to focus. Is there a trick or is the unit broken? The lens and others i've tried all are cocked from twisting the knob - bu the knob returns to the closed position. I thought it was supposed to remain open to focus. Any info appreciated - thanks.

 

[polypal]

Old style bellows

Mike,

It is not very clear to me what happens when you turn the knob of the bellows.
I guess you could try again and turn the knob till it goes nor further.
That is when the lens shaft locks and holds the knob in position.

Without a lens the knob should be turned till it stops.
At that moment the key is in the"flat" position to make fitting of a cocked lens possible.

Paul

 

[freakymike]

Paul,
Thanks - without a lens on I can turn the cocking knob until its "flat" or cocked position - but it doesn't stay in that position - it rolls back thus opening the shutter mechanism - It looks like a worm gear in the small box that the lever goes into - confused as to why it won't stay in the cocked position once turned all the way to the right.

 

[polypal]

Bellows

Hello Mike,

I have just come home after a long day and I am just to lazy to look for my early bellows.

Your Christmas gift does not lock in the cocked position making fitting of a lens impossible or at least very tricky.
There should be a kind of hook inside the mechanism that locks the shaft in the correct position to make fitting of a lens possible.

It should not be a major operation to have this rectified by a good technician.

Paul

 

[freakymike]

thanks