shooting with bellows

[Katastrofo]

I now have a bellows for Exakta lenses with an M42 adapter that will fit
my M42>4/3 adapter, or M42>AR adapter (thanks to Jules) so I can use
both the Oly e300 or one the Konica SLRs.

My question is: the Exakta lens I have is a Zeiss 80mm prime that has the
shutter release button to the side of it. This should present no problem using
the lens on the bellows since shutter speed and actual taking of the picture
will be done by the camera(s), correct? I will check and see if there are
any adapters like Nikon>Exakta, M42>Exakta, and so on, to use more
lenses besides the two Exakta lenses I will have when the Exakta 500
arrives.

Bill

[Attila]

[Katastrofo]

Thanks, Attila!

Bill

[bob955i]

@ Bill and Attila:

To switch all CZJ auto Exakta mount lenses to manual operation, do the following:

Press the button on the lens, rotate it anti-clockwise until it stops and then release it, it should lock in place and then permit the aperture to be manually set.

To switch back to auto, press the button again, rotate it clockwise until it stops and then release it.

Auto = lens release out, manual = lens release in.

When a Zeiss Jena lens is mounted on an Exakta camera, you can also use the lens button as a DOF check by adjusting the screw on the camera side of the button so that the lens stops down before the camera fires.

[Attila]

Many thanks! I didn't know this operation.

[Katastrofo]

Thanks, Bob, good to know!

[bob955i]

No probs guys - it also applies to the P6-Exakta adapter made by CZJ.

[Katastrofo]

Thanks again, Bob, will be looking for that adapter.

Bill

[Katastrofo]

Bob, I think there's a problem with the Biometar. I rotated the button
counterclockwise and locked it, no problem, but the blades don't move
when rotating the aperture ring. Stays wide open. Even when mounted
to the bellows with the pin locked by the lever on the mount.

Bill

[bob955i]

Bill, remove the lens from the bellows, rotate the button clockwise and release it, then set the lens to f22 or any aperture other than wide open and push the lens button in and out to see if the aperture opens and closes.

Let me know what it does or doesn't do.

[Katastrofo]

Nothing happens, Bob, stays wide open no matter what. Here's a few pics:







focus is crappy in the last shot, but that shows it in locked position

Bill

[bob955i]

Have a look around the periphery of the aperture ring and you should see a single screw head.

Don't unscrew it though if it's there.

Let me know if it is or isn't present.

[Katastrofo]

It is present on the aperture ring.

[bob955i]

OK.

If the lens button has been reset to auto mode and the aperture doesn't respond when the button is pressed, then there is a definite fault.

There is a small actuating cam that engages with the aperture blade operation ring that sometimes jumps out thus leaving the aperture inoperative.

This is what I think may be wrong here although there is one other thing that needs checked and that's the lens button actuating arm.

Either way, you'll need to remove the lens mount.

Do you want to do this Bill?

If I'm right, the fix is just a little bit fiddly but not difficult and I can take you through the whole process if you wish.

[Katastrofo]

Bob, as it is now, I have a $100 paperweight, so numbering difficulty 1-10,
what number are we on, Bob?

[bob955i]

The difficulty scaling depends on your eyesight and whether you have watchmakers screwdrivers. It's not microminiature though.

I'm not kidding here by the way.

[Katastrofo]

Bob, will have to take this to my shop downtown where I have all kinds of
tools and good lighting, etc. That won't be till tomorrow, though.

[bob955i]

No problem Bill.

[Katastrofo]

Bob, I'll be talking to you right here, tomorrow!

[bob955i]

Did I mention I was going on holiday for a month....?

[Katastrofo]

[bob955i]

A laptop in the Antarctic rainforest....?

Mmmm

[Katastrofo]

Yes, I think they even rent them, but only in the rainforest section...

[bob955i]

Ah, I'm not going to the rainforest bit though - it's the really really cold section and they don't have laptops there cos I asked, and they said too that they couldn't get any in stock because of the monsoons, torrential rain and blizzards....

Or something like that.

[Katastrofo]

OK, Bob, write when you can! LOL