Originally Posted by
Mark Sampson
Mr. Scudder, the wide-angle bellows for the 4x5 Zone VI are partially pleated and partially 'bag' bellows. They will allow a 180mm lens (at least) to focus at normal distances, and make using a 75mm lens feasible. I used one regularly for 18 years (still have the camera and all it parts). The only issues I had were that those bellows were made of plastic and stiffen up quite a bit in cold weather. I lived in Rochester in those days and there's a lot of winter there- just like in Vermont where the camera was made. The real issue this caused was that the glue between the pleated and non-pleated parts would separate, causing light leaks and lost pictures.
Luckily, this never happened on a paying shoot... the repair (several times since 1992) is easily done with Pliobond or similar glue. So I think that the ideal bellows solution for the OP will solve those issues too; leather or better plastic will take care of it, I'm sure.
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