Why aren't bag bellows used more?

[Drew Wiley]

I only used a bag bellows on my Sinar 4x5 for wide-angle interior shots requiring quite a bit of rise or other contortions. The conventional Sinar box bellows
which comes standard with F,C,P, and X cameras has problems if it's scrunched up. The older tapered Norma bellows is much more versatile at either short or extra long extensions. Too bad they stopped making it, but apparently did so due to cost. I lucked out finding a couple of mint ones. But in the past I worked
mostly with long lenses, and Horseman offered a 28-inch bellows that didn't sag (no need of an intermediate support standard), and fit Sinar too.

[neil poulsen]

There is no disadvantage to using bag bellows, except that with the camera packed the bellows are outside the enclosure rather than inside the enclosure. . . .

That was a problem w/ Sinars that I had. So, I "shrank" them to a size that was more convenient.

http://www.largeformatphotography.in...ag(gy)-Bellows

While I still have a Norma 4x5 as a backup, I use Arca Swiss. I like the pleated leather bellows they make which are useful (w/movements) for lenses and from 75mm SW's up to about 180mm. Shorter lenses can require a conventional bag bellows.

The Arca conical (4x5 back to 6x9 front) pleated leather bellows can easily be used for a 47mm lenses with a recessed lensboard. A conventional bag bellows is available, but not needed.