That flooded basement in Minneapolis made me check every bellows I touch

I went to a storage unit sale last month and picked up a dozen old folders from a retired photojournalist. Half of them had signs of water damage that you could only see when you put a bright light through the bellows. I'm talking pinprick holes that turn into full light leaks after one good flex. The seller said they'd been sitting in his flooded basement since 2019 and he 'dried them out real good.' Now I charge an extra $10 for a bellows inspection on any folder that comes in without a known history, and honestly it's saved me two callbacks already. Anyone else running into vintage gear that looks fine until you actually put film through it?

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xenan641mo ago

Man, that's a rough find. Flood damage is sneaky like that, it can hide for years in the folds and then ruin a whole roll before you catch it. Good call on that extra inspection fee, sounds like it's already paying for itself.

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