ShenHao 4x5 Bag bellows for wideangle and 6x9?

[parasko]

Hi all,

I've finally decided to purchase a Shen-Hao 4x5. As part of my purchase, I am including a Horseman RFH for 6x9 format. I am also considering the Shen-Hao bag bellows for wideangle shots using a 65mm in 4x5 format.

My question: Is the bag bellows +RFH a workable 6x9 setup or is a specialised 6x9 camera more appropriate? Does the bag bellows allow for a full range of movements in the lens range 47-65mm in either format?

Any advice appreciated so I can finally commit and start the LF learning curve.

Parasko

[parasko]

...one more query..up to what FL can the bag bellows accommodate at the long lens end?

[Josh Z.]

Can't really answer the rest, but I've used the Shen Hao with the bag bellows with a 210mm lens fairly successfully. It's probably as long as I'd go with that bellows.

[vinny]

210mm is about as long as you can go. You'd be okay with the 65mm but get recessed lens boards and right angle cable release adapters for anything wider. The 47mm might not allow you to use much rise as the front standard will hit the inside of the rear standard but that depends on how recessed the lens board is.

[parasko]

210mm is about as long as you can go. You'd be okay with the 65mm but get recessed lens boards and right angle cable release adapters for anything wider. The 47mm might not allow you to use much rise as the front standard will hit the inside of the rear standard but that depends on how recessed the lens board is.

So a recessed lens board is necessary for wides even with the bag bellows?

[vinny]

So a recessed lens board is necessary for wides even with the bag bellows?

Well, my measurements indicate that you should get away with a 58mm as the widest without a recessed board. The front standard should clear just fine. The problem with anything wider is that you'll have a tough time getting at the knobs on the front standard since they'll be inside the rear standard. If you're spending a chunk of money on super wide lenses then a couple recessed boards won't hurt.

good luck

[parasko]

Well, my measurements indicate that you should get away with a 58mm as the widest without a recessed board. The front standard should clear just fine. The problem with anything wider is that you'll have a tough time getting at the knobs on the front standard since they'll be inside the rear standard. If you're spending a chunk of money on super wide lenses then a couple recessed boards won't hurt.

good luck

Hi Vinny,
I thought by using a bag bellows you didn't also need recessed boards but your posts suggest otherwise. I'm assuming for both the 6x9 setup I initially posted and the 4x5 format. Thanks for clarifying.

[Steve Kefford]

Hi Vinny,
I thought by using a bag bellows you didn't also need recessed boards....

Using a bag bellows should have no effect upon the need for a recessed lens board. I.e. if you require one with a std bellows, you will require one with a bag bellows and vice versa.

Steve

[Scott Davis]

The bag bellows allow you to bring the front and rear standards closer together than you could with a standard pleated bellows. If the standards are so close together that the lens will hit the ground glass when you swing or tilt (a likely possibility with something as wide as a 47mm), or the front standard will hit the frame of the rear standard when you try to apply rise, then a recessed board is a good idea. As mentioned above, anything wider than 65mm it would be adviseable to use a recessed board.

[parasko]

The bag bellows allow you to bring the front and rear standards closer together than you could with a standard pleated bellows. If the standards are so close together that the lens will hit the ground glass when you swing or tilt (a likely possibility with something as wide as a 47mm), or the front standard will hit the frame of the rear standard when you try to apply rise, then a recessed board is a good idea. As mentioned above, anything wider than 65mm it would be adviseable to use a recessed board.

Thanks for the advice. Looks like I will be purchasing the bag bellows and a couple of recessed lens boards.

Cheers.

[Scott Davis]

The good thing about the bag bellows for the Shen is that it is quite inexpensive. The amount you save on the bag bellows will go handily toward a couple of recessed boards.