Using a 600mm lens on a Zone VI camera

[Steve Williams_812]

I want to get a long lens for my 8x10 camera. I have tried a 450mm Nikon M and it work fine, plenty of bellows on the Zone VI, but I think I want something longer. I am considering a 24" goerz but am concerned I won't have enough bellows with the Zone VI.

Does anyone have experience with this?

thanks,

steve

[Arne Croell]

There is enough bellows; I have the (older, non-lightweight) Zone VI for 8x10 and have a 600mm Apo-Ronar in a Compound V shutter that I use with it. The Ronar is pretty heavy though, and adjustments (lens tilt and shift) can be a bit cumbersome because of that; if you can get a lighter one (Fuji 600mm C) that might be better.

[John Kasaian]

Steve,

Why not just measure your bellows? 27" worth should get you there with a little wiggle room.

Cheers!

[Martin Reekie]

Agree with Arne, with my old Zone VI I use a Nikkor 1200mm with no problems - the 600mm is well within the bellows limits. See photo of me using the 1200 at http://www.m-reekie.com/Biography.htm

The 600mm Nikkor has a flange focal distance of 409.2mm, the 1200mm being 755.7mm. The bellows extension on the Zone VI will cope with this, I can focus on reasonably close things with the 1200mm. Be careful with such a lump of glass on the front, when you release the rise/fall the lens will want to rotate and drop - you need to keep hold of it!

Martin