How wide can I go with a Bender 4x5

[Ramanand]

I have a Bender 4x5 camera with two bellows -- the original and a bag.
I have a 210mm Nikon lens but rented a 90mm a few years back.
I do not, however, recall if I was forced to switch to using the bag or
if I was able to compress the original bellow and get my images.

Before I put my money down on a wide lens such as the 72mm, 65mm or wider,
I would love to hear of any physical limitations (such as the need to use a recessed lens board, etc.)
that actual owners of Bender 4x5 cameras have run into.

Cheers
Ramanand Mandayam

[Jac@stafford.net]

90mm is the shortest acceptable with the Bender bag bellows.

[David E. Rose]

I used mine with the bag bellows and a 75mm. You have to move the tripod mounting block behind the lens standards (it is normally between them).

[Ramanand]

Thanks David, Jac for your feedback. You have saved me from plunking down a grand on a Schneider 72mm.

[Jac@stafford.net]

Thanks David, Jac for your feedback. You have saved me from plunking down a grand on a Schneider 72mm.

David Rose says that he can mount a 75mm, so I might have to be corrected. I was operating from a 30 year-old memory. Very best of luck to you!

[Mark Sawyer]

There's always the recessed lensboard route too...

[Doug Herta]

I remember building a set of adapters to the front standard of my Bender to allow the lens placement to recess. I rented some really wide angle lenses and it worked fine. Let me see if I still have the set up.