Several years ago, Mr. Fred Lustig indicated that I should always store the Super Graphic with the front door open since the spring metal tape that couples the rf would gain a permanent bend if the camera were stored closed. I store the camera with the bellows in and the door locked open in my cabinet. What is the best way to store the other Graphics (Speed, etc.)? Cameras open and bellows partially out/closed or cameras closed? What about the cable release in these cameras? What is best for the bellows. I do have a low-humidity, low dust area where the cameras are kept. I use them several times per year and once per month run the shutters (leaf and FP) through the speeds regardless. I also remove the 22.5 cells from the Super and store them in the refridgerator.

I was told that bellows shouldn't be stored compressed. I'm curious what others do.

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On 2004-08-09 10:38, Nick wrote: I was told that bellows shouldn't be stored compressed. I'm curious what others do.

I keep 'em all compressed. Century Graphic, 2x3 Pacemaker Speed, Nikon PB-4, Zenit.

Cheers,

Dan

Just my personal opinion here, but I would keep all bellows compressed in storage.

Two good reasons. First, after a while, the bellows will develope a 'natural' sag which would be a bit anoying...

Second, deterioration of both the cloth and vinyl (or leather). Stored open, these materials can more easily oxidize and dry out. Kept closed, they are more protected from air and dirt. And dust is a killer as it actually wicks the materials dry...

I'm not familiar with the rangefinder coupling disposition of the "Super" design. I'd listen respectfully to anything Fred Lustig said on the subject.

I can report that storing an "Anniversary Speed" that I've owned since 1966, and a "Pacemaker Speed" that we got in 1970, with their bellows compressed does not seem to have led to any deterioration.

My guess is that the problem with compressing bellows is much more pronounced with the folding cameras that have trick front standards linked to the bed, and squash the bellows flat when you close the camera. Press cameras don't do that; there's no reason to apply pressure when collapsing the bellows. I imagine that this puts much less strain on the fabric and paper fibers at the folds.

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On 2004-08-09 10:38, Nick wrote: I was told that bellows shouldn't be stored compressed. I'm curious what others do.

Come to think of it, and now that Rich has prodded my memory, I keep my folding cameras -- a couple each of Retinas and Ensigns -- closed too.

Cheers,

Dan

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On 2004-08-08 19:12, Jim23 wrote: Several years ago, Mr. Fred Lustig indicated that I should always store the Super Graphic with the front door open since the spring metal tape that couples the rf would gain a permanent bend if the camera were stored closed. I store the camera with the bellows in and the door locked open in my cabinet. I also remove the 22.5 cells from the Super and store them in the refridgerator.

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On 2004-08-09 11:30, t.r.sanford wrote: I'm not familiar with the rangefinder coupling disposition of the "Super" design. I'd listen respectfully to anything Fred Lustig said on the subject.

I concur absolutely with what Mr. Lustig says about leaving the bed dropped & locked @ 90 degrees. There is a piece of thin metal about the same thickness & "feel" as standard measuring tape material which couples the rangefinder arm to the yoke. When I got my Super Speed, this piece of metal was bent and had become dis-lodged so as to render the rangefinder completely inoperable. The metal had assumed a bend from the camera being left closed. The fix was to replace the piece of metal and Fred told me over the phone to leave the camera bed open to minimize this common ailment on older Supers, and he said to rack the bellows in all the way when storing the camera.

Leaving the 22.5 volt batteries in the fridge is a good idea too, Jim23, but these batteries don't seem to hold juice as long as other batteries, as discussed in the recent thread about Super Graphic battery drain.

I don't own a Super but all of my cameras are stored closed. The FP shutter should be run down as far as it goes,tension at it's lowest point and if storage will be long term, give all metal parts a wipe with an oily cloth and give the body a nice coat of Kiwi Parade Gloss black polish. If you wipe down the bellows with Pledge or whatever, be sure they are absolutely dry before storing.

All, thanks for your replies. I will continue to leave the SG open, but bellows compressed and the others closed.

Regards...