Scott Schroeder
5-Sep-2005, 07:27
Some might recall a post I did some time ago. I was have reduced contrast with my Toho extension tube (4") for my fuji 450C. I wanted to make sure it wasn't the lense so I had another LF user take a few photos with my 450C and his and it was fine. So I followed some advice given here and on another forum. I covered the inside of the tube with black flocking paper and used a rubber lens hood to reduce light.
Well that didn't work. Further advice was to create some baffles like for telescopes. So I created a crude set that only had two baffles that could slide into the tube. Here is a pic
http://tinyurl.com/a3hn5
I also got a Lee compendium shade for my Lee holder. Well that didn't work either, although there was some improvement. You might notice I reduced the image circle using the baffles.
So I posted my dilema on the cameramakers forum and was given some excellent advice: the baffles need to be razor sharp. So I decided to rebuild my baffle set with more baffles and as thin as could be with some rigidity. I had some xray fim and felt it was a great candidate for the job. I made several calculations to make the baffle system snug and to have each baffle progressively larger to reduce the angle of coverage (the 450C is HUGE for 4X5). An exacto knife some super glue and some patience put it all together. The construction has that homemade artisan feel to it, :) LOL. Anyway, the whole thing was painted with the flattest matte black I could find. The result is here.
http://tinyurl.com/95suz
Inside the tube looking down
http://tinyurl.com/cgshh
By opening the back there was no noticable reflections bouncing around. So I went out and took some photos with the Lee hood on as well. GREAT NEGATIVES!!!
So there is limited movements and it is stretched out a bit (on the rail about the same as my Nikkor 300 M) but I got the reach and it's well worth it. The whole setup isn't that heavy so it isn't unstable. It just takes a bit TLC.
So I thought my fellow TOHO users might be interested as well as anyone wanting some extra reach with an extension tube. I set this up ONLY for the 450C.
Well that didn't work. Further advice was to create some baffles like for telescopes. So I created a crude set that only had two baffles that could slide into the tube. Here is a pic
http://tinyurl.com/a3hn5
I also got a Lee compendium shade for my Lee holder. Well that didn't work either, although there was some improvement. You might notice I reduced the image circle using the baffles.
So I posted my dilema on the cameramakers forum and was given some excellent advice: the baffles need to be razor sharp. So I decided to rebuild my baffle set with more baffles and as thin as could be with some rigidity. I had some xray fim and felt it was a great candidate for the job. I made several calculations to make the baffle system snug and to have each baffle progressively larger to reduce the angle of coverage (the 450C is HUGE for 4X5). An exacto knife some super glue and some patience put it all together. The construction has that homemade artisan feel to it, :) LOL. Anyway, the whole thing was painted with the flattest matte black I could find. The result is here.
http://tinyurl.com/95suz
Inside the tube looking down
http://tinyurl.com/cgshh
By opening the back there was no noticable reflections bouncing around. So I went out and took some photos with the Lee hood on as well. GREAT NEGATIVES!!!
So there is limited movements and it is stretched out a bit (on the rail about the same as my Nikkor 300 M) but I got the reach and it's well worth it. The whole setup isn't that heavy so it isn't unstable. It just takes a bit TLC.
So I thought my fellow TOHO users might be interested as well as anyone wanting some extra reach with an extension tube. I set this up ONLY for the 450C.