I have a couple of Kodak bellows cameras that I have done restoration work on; an Autographic 3A and Autographic Jr, both from the 1920s. I had a LOT of light leaks in the 3A and found a substance called Liquid Electrical Tape that you can paint on in layers to seal leaks and protect the original silk in the bellows fabric. For bigger holes you can patch in small squares of fabric. I used old 100% cotton sheet material cut in tiny pieces and grafted them in place over wet freshly painted areas and painting over the patch so the liquid tape soaks in and it adheres in place. For me this has worked like a charm. Be patient and good luck!

Hello Martin and Lars. Your videos are always such a pleasure to watch. To me, they get at what photography is all about - having fun!

Trying to create images using equipment that has succumbed to age is a worthy challenge. I congratulate you. It is a pleasure watching you two have fun with these old cameras.

Thanks so much.  I just bought, for $15, a box of nine old, rusty, moldy, dirty (but no spider), Kodak folding cameras from the early 1900's. I also have a Kodak Vigilant that my mother used in the 1940's; it is clean and probably works. With the exception of the Vigilant, it's not likely that any will ever take a picture again, but I'm having a great time learning about them and in some cases, succeeding in cleaning them enough so they at least look the part.
And down the rabbit hole I go.
Thanks for not taking some of this hobby seriously; life is too short.

What an odd looking Minolta 16 👍

What a nice video! Love the idea, great sense of humor. And as a bonus the best "data back" system ever invented.

Sometimes those NOS kodak bellows show up on the auction site, but as you know, it's easier to just find a camera in better condition in the first place. I've done a few bellows replacements, and then only ended up using the camera a couple times after expending all the time and effort to make it work.

I may have missed it, but asside from noting/demo-ing how flexible/bouncy the removable back was when attached, I didn't hear you talk about the "light sealing" of that part of the camera. I know there used to be eBay sellers selling pre-cut new seals for old cameras ... and the seal material in sheets or whatever.

But a great video ... another great video !!

Thank you for the video. I recently bought a folding camera that is in ok but not great condition. It is helpful to see some of the pitfalls I may face when I try to use it and how they impacted the photos.

Very interesting video..I've got a few kodaks of that era...mostly the larger 3A type...mine are in better condition than yours..but still the odd pin hole in the bellows I've got to rectify...UK Leicester. Leicester