MIke Sherck
26-Feb-2010, 19:01
I have an older Zone VI triple extension 4x5 camera, mahogany I believe, with a maximum bellows extension of about 16" (maybe 18" if you cantilever the front standard outwards.) I've found that my 125mm Fuji is about the shortest lens I can focus with some movements but I'd like to see whether I can go shorter with the standard bellows, so I'm inquiring about recessed lensboards. Since I haven't seen one for sale recently, I'll probably have to make my own (I've made most of my lensboards. Not as pretty as real ones but they seem to work ok.)
How deep is a "standard" recessed lensboard, if such a question has any meaning? I figure from the pictures I've seen on the web, maybe an inch deep? Will this give me room to focus a 90mm at closer than infinity (say, a couple of meters,) with a little movement, maybe a bit of front rise or a touch of front swing? Should I make the recess deeper, and is there a practical limit beyond the necessity of fitting into the bellows?
Same idea but another tack, does anyone know the minimum focal length lens which can be used on this camera with a bag bellows? Again, I haven't seen any such bellows for sale in a while so I'll have to make my own: hints would be appreciated. I'll use window curtain blackout cloth from my local fabric store; that worked all right for a replacement bellows for my 5x7 B&J.
Thanks for your help.
Mike
How deep is a "standard" recessed lensboard, if such a question has any meaning? I figure from the pictures I've seen on the web, maybe an inch deep? Will this give me room to focus a 90mm at closer than infinity (say, a couple of meters,) with a little movement, maybe a bit of front rise or a touch of front swing? Should I make the recess deeper, and is there a practical limit beyond the necessity of fitting into the bellows?
Same idea but another tack, does anyone know the minimum focal length lens which can be used on this camera with a bag bellows? Again, I haven't seen any such bellows for sale in a while so I'll have to make my own: hints would be appreciated. I'll use window curtain blackout cloth from my local fabric store; that worked all right for a replacement bellows for my 5x7 B&J.
Thanks for your help.
Mike