Nikon PB4 Bellows

[kawasakiguy37]

Anyone used one of these? I have the PB5 right now, which works great although I do like the second rail of the PB4 for focusing. Also, the PB4 supposedly has tilt/shift built into the end.

Anyone know how this tilt shift works? Will it lock down in many positions or does it work like DIY setups most people make?

[Arninetyes]

Found your post way too late to help you, but someone else might have the same questions, so here goes:

I have a PB-4, and I enjoy using it a great deal. It allows me to play games with the plane of focus and perspective that can't be done with a macro lens that is fixed to the camera, with the exception of specialized tilt/shift (T/S) lenses. As I use Nikon gear, the available T/S lenses are much too expensive. Older manual focus PC Nikkor lenses only shift, they don't tilt.

The tilt/shift is built into the lens board end of the PB-4. Compared to a view camera, it's quite primitive and limited, but it still allows for adjustments that can't be done on any other (affordable) bellows unit I know of.

The tilt and shift both work in the same plane at the same time. With the PB-4 mounted to a tripod upright (with the mount beneath the PB-4), the tilt swings horizontally and the shift slides horizontally; it is not possible to tilt horizontal and shift vertical simultaneously.

Each locks in place with separate, small levers on the front of the bellows. I have the PB-4 mounted to an "L"-bracket so I can easily mount it normally or rotate it 90-degrees. This places the tilt/shift in the vertical plane instead of horizontal.

I've tried using it to control perspective, and it works. The problem is, the minimum focal length that can be focused to infinity is 105mm, which reduces its usefulness with architectural photography. I suppose if I wanted to take pictures of sky scrapers...

For close up and macro work, the PB-4 allows me to shift the plane of focus so that I can more easily increase the amount of the subject that is in focus without having to resort to diffraction-incurring apertures like f/22 or f/32.

Also, as you've noted, the PB-4 has a second set of rails. That set is wonderful! It allows you to move the camera back and forth with great precision, and without having to either move the tripod or disturb the subject.

In all, a flexible and very useful device, quite the best I've seen for the price.

[cooltouch]

I also have a PB-4 and a PS-4 slide duplicator. I bought it recently, and really haven't had much of a chance to try it out yet, but I tell you what, I've wanted one for years.

I believe everything Arninetyes wrote to be accurate, except for terms in case somebody wants to get picky (I don't). When the bellows is mounted horizontally, which one would probably consider to be its "normal" position, the bellows is actually performing "swing" and not "tilt," plus shift. When the bellows is mounted vertically, then it's performing tilt, and not "shift" but "rise and fall." So, just terms.

Also, there is at least one other bellows with movements out there that I know of -- isn't cheap, either. The Hama bellows offers full movements, just like a view camera, which was also sold under the Spiratone brand during the 1980s (and 1970s?). It shows up on eBay occasionally, and when it does, typically it sells for more than what a PB-4 will sell for, which is already expensive enough.

There was also a 35mm view camera with full movements built back in the 50s and 60s by Kennedy instruments.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eoorider/5277985178/in/set-72157625522455481

And probably others . . . .

[Himself]

Another one is the Contax PC bellows, that I own.
It has the same behavior as Nikon PB-4.
Not cheap at all.
I use it extensively with the lens that was designed for, Herr Contax S-Planar 100mm f/4.