Bellows for Fuji GFXs ii

[Gettingupclose]

Hi all,

I’d like to get a bellows system and macro lens to use with my Fuji GFXs ii, mainly for the purpose of focus stacking.
I know that Cambo have a system (actus) that looks fantastic, but is quite expensive.
Ideally I’d like to buy some second hand gear to save some money and having something that is relatively small in size would be great too.

I have been looking at getting a second hand Pentax 6x7 auto bellows and using adaptors to attach the camera.
I did read somewhere that you can’t attach a gfx to these bellows because (I think) parts of the camera get in the way of mounting to the bellows. Not sure if this is true, or if it is true perhaps using some extensions tubes to keep the camera body away from the bellows would solve the problem?

I have no idea what kind of lens would be best with this setup either?
Was thinking of using something a bit longer in focal length so as to keep the lens away from the subject.
Could an 4x5 lens work well, or enlarger lens?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

Ian

[Macro_Cosmos]

- Mamiya auto-bellows 645
- Rollei X-Act 2
- Horseman L45
- Vintage Sinar models (many work)

There is no such thing as "cannot attach", if the camera parts get in the way, just make a short extension tube for clearance.

[bobfriedman]

Cambo Actus or Ultima is an option but pricey.

[Doppler9000]

The Cambo Actus cameras have potential issues with re-aligning to square and plumb after movements. The Arca Swiss cameras are better in this regard. However, unless you need movements, there is no need to pay for them.

[Gettingupclose]

- Mamiya auto-bellows 645
- Rollei X-Act 2
- Horseman L45
- Vintage Sinar models (many work)

There is no such thing as "cannot attach", if the camera parts get in the way, just make a short extension tube for clearance.

Thanks for your help with this.

When it comes to lens choice, would there be any disadvantage having the Mamiya auto bellows over any of the 4x5 cameras?
Just wondering if the lens quality would be better in a decent Schneinder or Rodenstock lens as compared to what I could put on the Mamiya auto bellows? Mind you, I don't know what macro lenses I could put on the Mamiya?

Cheers.

[dickb]

In your first post you mentioned your preference for a somewhat compact solution. Many affordable 4x5 bellows are quite bulky and heavy. The large size does allow even the largest lenses to be mounted, so if you want to use lenses with a larger mounting diameter than the Mamiya m645 mount then 4x5 has the advantage.

For normal use, Mamiya M645 should be plenty large enough. I'd get a couple of adapters from m645 to a thread mount (m39, m42, m58) and mount any industrial or enlarger lens to that, like the Schneider and Rodenstock examples you mentioned.

One consideration is the minimum extension of the bellows. If you want to reach infinity focus with shorter focal length Schneider and Rodenstock lenses you may need to recess those into the bellows. No problem when you want close up photography.

If you want a really compact system, a variable extension tube may be a good option. I'm not sure if the 2 inch Thorlabs setup described by Robert OToole is large enough to avoid vignetting on your camera, but M58 or M65 versions of that should work. RafCamera sells an M58 version of it. Very rigid, very lightweight. Not convenient if you want to change the extension often though. Helical extension tubes are more convenient, but also a little heavier and the cheaper Chinese ones tend to be not quite as rigid as the threaded variable tubes.

[dickb]

I just came across this Novoflex Auto Bellows for Fuji GFX:

https://www.novoflex.de/en/products-637 ... ug-en.html

Not cheap, but if you have invested in many GFX lenses it may be an interesting option. It is quite compact but lacks movements.

[fleegix]

This comment over at dpreview was pretty harsh on the Novoflex + GF lens approach:
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/67191999:

it seems like all GF lenses are best left as they are and used as they are without tubes or bellows or reversed etc. They seem to all use floating elements (which also explains their overall great performance at all focus settings). Reversing them makes no sense due to the very short focal flange distance so all Novoflex has done with the GF reverse adapters and auto-bellows is bait customers with false promises and unrealistic expectations.

and from earlier in the same thread, a more strident version:
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/67188213:

Novoflex can pretty much kiss its whole GFX bellows and GFX reverse-lens-adapter lineup goodbye, it would be a huge waste of money (and time) trying to get a decent result using even more extension or reversing those lenses

I’d be curious what people here think of these assessments.

[Gettingupclose]

In your first post you mentioned your preference for a somewhat compact solution. Many affordable 4x5 bellows are quite bulky and heavy. The large size does allow even the largest lenses to be mounted, so if you want to use lenses with a larger mounting diameter than the Mamiya m645 mount then 4x5 has the advantage.

For normal use, Mamiya M645 should be plenty large enough. I'd get a couple of adapters from m645 to a thread mount (m39, m42, m58) and mount any industrial or enlarger lens to that, like the Schneider and Rodenstock examples you mentioned.

One consideration is the minimum extension of the bellows. If you want to reach infinity focus with shorter focal length Schneider and Rodenstock lenses you may need to recess those into the bellows. No problem when you want close up photography.

If you want a really compact system, a variable extension tube may be a good option. I'm not sure if the 2 inch Thorlabs setup described by Robert OToole is large enough to avoid vignetting on your camera, but M58 or M65 versions of that should work. RafCamera sells an M58 version of it. Very rigid, very lightweight. Not convenient if you want to change the extension often though. Helical extension tubes are more convenient, but also a little heavier and the cheaper Chinese ones tend to be not quite as rigid as the threaded variable tubes.

Thanks for your suggestions DickB!
I'm weighing up lots of options/variables in the hope that I can get a smallish kit that can give me high quality results, at a reasonable price. Not much to ask, I know!
If buying the Mamiya auto bellows and using an enlarger lens, would the enlarger lens need to be one for medium format film? I seem to remember that you get 35mm enlarger lenses and medium format ones too?

Another thought, would a Nikon pb4 or pb6 bellows work with a GFX? Think I know someone who has one.

Cheers.

[chris_ma]

I might have missed it, but I don‘t see what kind of pictures your interested in…

What subjects?
Which magnification range?
Studio or in the field?
Which budget?
What quality expectations?

hard to make recommendations without those infos

[Gettingupclose]

I might have missed it, but I don‘t see what kind of pictures your interested in…

What subjects?
Which magnification range?
Studio or in the field?
Which budget?
What quality expectations?

hard to make recommendations without those infos

Hi Chris,

Good questions.

Will likely be all in studio.
In regards to subjects, could be anything really. Possibly lots of plants, flowers etc.
Magnification could be 1:1 or closer. Ideally I don't want the lens too close to the subject so I have space to get reflectors etc. near to the subject.
I'll be using a gfx, so want to have a lens to match that quality. I'd consider spending up to $1000 Aus on a lens, but would like to spend less if I can!

Cheers,

Ian

[dickb]

I'm weighing up lots of options/variables in the hope that I can get a smallish kit that can give me high quality results, at a reasonable price. Not much to ask, I know!

You should be able to get a decent enlarger lens, adapter and either bellows or tubes for not too much money. Bellows are heavier but very convenient to vary the extension of, tubes are lighter but less convenient to vary in extension.

If buying the Mamiya auto bellows and using an enlarger lens, would the enlarger lens need to be one for medium format film? I seem to remember that you get 35mm enlarger lenses and medium format ones too?

If you want to use the lenses at infinity focus, then the image circle of 35mm vs medium format enlarger lenses is important. At closer focus distances the image circle increases and either type will cover your sensor.

The main difference in enlarger lenses will be focal length. Longer focal length lenses will give you more working distance but you'll need more extension to reach a given magnification.

Another thought, would a Nikon pb4 or pb6 bellows work with a GFX?

Nikon F mount is quite narrow in diameter so you risk vignetting. Whether you get any depends on a lot of factors including the adaptor you use, the magnification, the lens etc.

[lothman]

what about a used Pentax 645 Macro lens from Ebay (like the 120mm f4) and an adapter (645->GFX)? This would work from infinity to 1:1, easy to focus and giving a sturdy setup. Should also stay well in your budget.

[chris_ma]

I agree that a vintage macro lens directly adapted would be a good, convenient, low cost solution, and quality should be similar to an enlarger lens setup.

There are specialised lenses which resolve quite a bit more detail, specially in the corners, but those are usually more expensive and only cover a limited magnification range. Roberts webpage would be a good place to start if you‘re interested in different options:
https://www.closeuphotography.com/lens-tests

But at the start, experimenting with lighting probably will have more significant benefits than spending a lot on gear.

[Gettingupclose]

I agree that a vintage macro lens directly adapted would be a good, convenient, low cost solution, and quality should be similar to an enlarger lens setup.

There are specialised lenses which resolve quite a bit more detail, specially in the corners, but those are usually more expensive and only cover a limited magnification range. Roberts webpage would be a good place to start if you‘re interested in different options:
https://www.closeuphotography.com/lens-tests

But at the start, experimenting with lighting probably will have more significant benefits than spending a lot on gear.

Thanks everyone! Very helpful information.