Bellows extension rule of thumb

**Larry Gebhardt** · 21-Mar-2019, 12:06

Jim, that's a cute little baby chair and table you have there.

**ndwgolf** · 21-Mar-2019, 16:51

Originally Posted by Larry Gebhardt

Neil,

If your camera focuses by moving the front standard you are changing the magnification while you change the focus. You might get into a situation where you can't achieve focus. So what you need to do is either focus by moving the rear standard only, or move the whole camera in and out without changing the focus (length of the bellows). On the Chamonix 4x5 you can coarsely slide the rear and this can work in a pinch. I'm guessing your 8x10 is the same. Or get a heavy duty macro rail to move the camera.

The rear focus for macro is one of my favorite features of the Canham MQC and most/all monorail type cameras.

Thanks a lot for this. I didn’t realize that you can move the rear part of the camera in and out........ I will try that next time.
Just to confirm
With my 210 lens set the bellows to 420mm
Then position the camera in front of say the flower.
Pull the camera back until you get a clear picture on the ground glass.
Now fine tune the focus by adjusting the rear part of the camera.
Is that correct

Neil

**Larry Gebhardt** · 21-Mar-2019, 17:55

Originally Posted by ndwgolf

Thanks a lot for this. I didn’t realize that you can move the rear part of the camera in and out........ I will try that next time.
Just to confirm
With my 210 lens set the bellows to 420mm
Then position the camera in front of say the flower.
Pull the camera back until you get a clear picture on the ground glass.
Now fine tune the focus by adjusting the rear part of the camera.
Is that correct

Neil

If you care about the exact magnification set the extension and move the whole camera to get focus. If the magnification isn't important you can focus with what ever method is easier. If I was using my Chamonix for macro I'd use a macro rail and move the whole camera since it would be the most precise. I think the really right stuff rail would probably work fine for your 8x10, but I haven't tried it.