Greetings - - I use a Toyo 45AII field camera for landscape work. With about 32 0 mm of bellows, my ability to use longer lenses is limited. I am considering t he purchase of Toyo's 4-inch extension back that would allow me to use a 400mm o r so lens. Does anyone have any experience with this extension? I'd appreciate any thought s on usage of it - re: ease of use, camera stability, etc.
thanks...Bill
Bill: I used a Toyo 45AII with the 4" extension for a number of years. Great camera, I still think. The extension is kind of a mixed bag: it's a heavy, bulky piece of rigid metal--it doesn't collapse down--so be prepared to schlepp its weight and bulk around. I found it a bit of a hassle to attach in the field. You remove the back, hook on the extension, then reattach the back to the extension. No big deal, but more stuff to drop in the mud or fumble with while the light's fading. Once in place, the extension balances fairly well, though there's definitely some vibration and bounce with longer teles like the Nikkor 500mm and Fuji 600 that I was using with it. Back movements are kind of weird with the extension in place. Actually, this issue became the main reason I switched cameras, but the extension design might work for someone else.
Incidentally, you don't need the extension back for telephoto designs like the 360mm Nikkor or 400mm Fujinon, both of which focus at about 250mm or so. Unless you want to go longer (and I did), maybe that's the solution...?
That extension back sounds a real pain from Scott's description. What's wrong with an extension cone for the lens panel? I have one to mount a 300mm lens to my MPP micro-technical. The cone is only about 2.5" deep, but it seems to makes a world of difference to the balance and usability of the camera. It also moves the swing to the rear node of the lens, where it should be - bonus!
How about used a recessed len board reversed? Would this give you enough extension for the lens you're using?
Just a thought.
Sorry for the grammar.
I doubt reversing a 25mm recessed lens board would work as the board is designed to fit one way...light leaks may accomodate this. With a little bit of machining it can be overcome.... but is 25mm enough?
Have you thought of a Wista extension tube? I use one and it's very handy. It fi ts in place of a Wista/Linhof lensboard and takes a standard lensboard the other side, providing for up to 10 cm extension with 3 rings. You will need the Toyo/Wista adapter. Much smaller than a back extension when y ou have to pack. Some movement can be used.
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