Using lens on bellows for outdoors photography

[Orio]

So far I only used bellows for studio stuff.
Today, I mounted the Hektor on the bellows and took some outdoors shots, and I was pleasantly surprised by how flexible the system is!
Main advantages:

1- with a good quality bellows (I own two by Asahi Pentax which are fantastic), the focusing is MUCH more precise than ANY focusing ring could do;

2- you can move from the closest macro to infinity (and even beyond!) without any lens or accessory switching.

Not easy to find such flexibility!

[Nesster]

Yep, and not only that, chicks dig bellows

[luisalegria]

I've used bellows outdoors a lot, as I collect enlarger lenses and medium-large format lenses and use them mostly on bellows.

True on the flexibility, I'm not sure about the accuracy. My bellows are cheap brands though.

They can also look very cool. I've had no end of inquiries - "what kind of camera is that ?"

Problems with bellows in street and outdoor photography -

- Vulnerable. You have to protect them when extended, you can't just let them drop with the camera to hang at your side, unless you shorten to minimum.

- And then when something interesting comes around, you have to hurry to extend it again.

- Focusing is slower than a helical.

- They easily move and drift from focus, unless you lock them, and the lock can change focus. But as I said, mine are cheap bellows.

- On most of them the focus knob is on the right - the same as the shutter ! Which can make active focusing awkward.

[Orio]

[poilu]

Veijo make street photo bellows for many years
I am sure he convert many people with his beautiful website
http://galactinus.net/vilva/retro/index.html

[patrickh]

I have three - nikon/nikon, nikon/M42 and M42/M42. Allows me extreme flexibility. I also use a focusing rail which allows very fine focusing as well. In addition I have an Accura focusing helicoid (M42) which allows me to play with my enlarging lenses. They all require a good tripod to work well.


patrickh

[A G Photography]

This is the first step toward using a view camera... be careful

[LucisPictor]

[Orio]

[Arlon]

I seldom use my PB-4 for anything but macro. I have a lot of enlarger lenses to play with and need to get out and try the Tilt/shift capability of the PB-4 on something other than bugs.

Great topic. I'm getting inspired to to try the pb-4 and a 135mm enlarger lens at the park next week.. With "live view" on the D90 for focus, this might be an interesting combination for some photographic entertainment.

[patrickh]

Orio




patrickh