Bellows Help

[alec4444]

Hey All,

Just finished up a busy day of 11x14 shooting in Manhattan with the Wisner Tech Field. Shot 7 photos, and probably had some 40 photos taken of me! :eek:

While shooting, I noticed that I use a lot of rise (something about skyscrapers, perhaps...). Also, the lenses I'm grabbing the most are either the 210 Angulon, the 250 wide field ektar, and the 355 g-claron. In almost all circumstances, the belows are twisted all to hell and the camera lockdown points are straining.

So it seems I need a bag bellows of some sort that can accommodate some massive rise....any ideas where to turn? The other thought is to forgo the bag bellows and get some bellows where the taper is much more dramatic in the front. I think I've seen that on some Sinar rail cameras.

Anyway, love to hear your suggestions. Thanks!

--A

[CG]

Sounds like you need a more compliant bellows. I don't know the Wisner Tech Field, so I don't know if it has detachable bellows. If the belows are detachable, and if this is your main subject matter, then it's a matter of finding or making a bag or very flexible bellows. If it doesn't I guess the question becomes whether you're ready, willing and able to turn your camera into a dedicated short focus architectural camera, and forgo long focus shooting. If you are willing, then there are specialists who will create bellows to fit.

A couple of firms that have been recommended in the past:
Camera Bellows
Units 3 - 5, St Paul's Road, Balsall Heath, Birmingham B12 8NG, United Kingdom
Tel: + 44 (0) 121 440 1695/ Fax: + 44 (0) 121 440 0972
salescb@camerabellows.com
www.camerabellows.com

Turner Bellows
526 Child St
Rochester NY 14606
(716) 235-4456
sales@turnerbellows.com
www.turnerbellows.com

I've never used either of these firms, and there are probably other firms making bellows, but these might get you started.

Also you can make your own. Many people have done so.

Best,

C

[alec4444]

Thanks! I had heard of Camera Bellows in the UK, but they never responded to an inquiry I sent some time ago. Turner Bellows looks promising. I'm not nearly handy enough to try going on my own....though that would be convenient! :)

The bellows do in fact detach. Do most bellows manufacturers make the wood frames at either end?

--A

[Juergen Sattler]

The best way to contact camera bellows in the UK is to call them - they really are wonderful to work with and do an outstanding job.