Yes, she needs a new pair of leather lungs:

Although until I get my hands on her to feel her up, I don't know about the forward set; but the rear set definitely needs replacing.

Searching around, I found Turner Bellows, [url=]Mark Kapono[/url], Western Bellows, Gortite A & A Mfg. Co., Universal Bellows, Flexible Products; and Ken Ruth at Bald Mountain.

Has anyone dealt with any of these outfits?

Thanks, from Bertha's new john [/img]

Dan, rather than have a set of bellows made, I would go looking for a used 4X5 bellows with the right dimensions. Bertha is not picky about the size; they are glued to large plates and you can get away with considerable variations in the size. Check with KEH and Midwest.

John

Dear John,

Thanks for the suggestion. Alas, her titties are 5x7, not 4x5, so the universe of used parts is smaller.

Besides, I may get them made up in red, or another color.

disemjg wrote:

Dan, rather than have a set of bellows made, I would go looking for a used 4X5 bellows with the right dimensions. Bertha is not picky about the size; they are glued to large plates and you can get away with considerable variations in the size. Check with KEH and Midwest. John

John, after getting a quote of $225 from Turner Bellows, your suggestion is looking better & better.

I'll be down one day next week to pick her up.

disemjg wrote:

Dan, rather than have a set of bellows made, I would go looking for a used 4X5 bellows with the right dimensions. Bertha is not picky about the size; they are glued to large plates and you can get away with considerable variations in the size. Check with KEH and Midwest. John

By the way, my entry over in LargeFormatPhotography.info entitled Big Bertha's new john says Hello! has turned into a sort of blog on this project.

I can't wait to drag her up to the top of the grandstand at Martinsville!

Well, Bertha needs two sets of bellows after all: The front set which is compressed to 1-1/2 inches thick actually extends out to 8 inches as the lens carriage slides out.

Both the front and rear bellows are about equal in size and length; and fully compressed they still have an opening slightly over 5x5 inches.



Please see Big Bertha's New Home! over on LFPhoto.info for more pictures as I restore her to her former glory.

Call Jim at Midwest photo and ask if he has any used bellows; as I said earlier the right 4X5 bellows should work fine. Just ask for a square bellows with the approximate dimensions and you should be OK.

John

With my checking account $350 lighter, the two sets of bellows arrived back from Turner Bellows (Rochester, NY); and they did a nice job. New photos to follow...

Also, I've replaced all of the painted and plated screws with brass screws; and getting replated the brass-plated sheet copper and copper lens hold-down straps.

Still awaiting the return of the 5x7 Graflex Home Portrait from Ken Ruth. He's replacing the offset 4x5 reducing back with a true 5x7 back; and also making a new 4x5 reducing back with a centered Graflok back from a Graflex View Camera.