Zone VI Field Camera and Lens Question

I am new to LF. I just purchased a used Zone VI field camera and a

210mm Rodenstock lens. I plan on adding a couple of more lenses, in

particular a 135mm and a 90mm. Will I need a bag bellows for either

of these two lenses. Thanks, Elaine W.

Hi Elaine. I have a Z VI also. You won't need the bag bellows for the 135 normally, and you can use the 90 without it also but the movements with the 90 in particular will be very limited until you get the bag bellows. You'll enjoy the camera. Welcome to LF.

I would say you need to have a bellows with the 90mm. I have one and without the bellows there are virtualy no movements. A 120mm is the smallest you can use without one.

Elaine: Jim and Robert are exactly right. Full compression of the front and rear standards gets you right to 90 mm, at least on mine. I believe a 75mm would require a recessed board. With the front and rear standards together with the standard bellows it is so compressed and so stiff anything more than a very forced mm or 2 of movement isn't possible, and even then you'll likely start pushing the standards out of plumb. I do believe that with the bag bellows in place the 135 could be used though, along with the 90 mm. Some have said they can fold the bag bellows up in the camera but I haven't tried that either. Seems like cutting it accidentally would be easy.

Hello All,

 

I am also a recent convert to LF, and bought a used Zone VI. I am using it with 135 mm and 300 mm lenses. I am interested in going down to a 90 mm lens, and although I have beg bellows for the camera, I am wondering if a shortened (universal) bellows would work in th 90 to 300 mm range. I don't like the idea of changing bellows during a hike. Any ideas for something shorten than the standard bellows?

 

Regards.

 

Shilesh

I'm not sure I entirely understand the last add-on question. You can use a 90 mm or a 300 with the standard bellows. But the 90mm will give you virtually no movements on the front standard unless you switch to the bag bellows. Could you replace the standard bellows with something more flexible which would work better with shorter lenses? Something like the bellows on a Canham? You probably could get some movement with the 90 mm lens if you put on a custom bellows. But unlike a Canham, the bellows on the Zone VI might still be so compressed (the front and rear standards just won't get any closer) that movements would be difficult. I guess you won't know exactly how well this will work until you spend the money to do it. Given the relatively light weight of the bag bellows, which you say you already have, I don't know that I would go to the expense of trying a custom more flexible bellows on this camera. If you do go this route, please let us know what improvement you obtain.

To all of those people who have purchased a 4 X 5 Zone VI camera, be aware that the ground glass frame is offset on all cameras and you will experience images cut off one side as a result. Take off the 4 X 5 back and you will notice the ground glass frame is not centered and is shifted over to one side. I have contacted Calumet re this problem and was basically blown off. I found out about this when I used the camera to make transparencies of some of my large platinum prints. All of the images came back from the lab offset. This is a manufacturing problem caused by a fautly and misaligned jig. There is no easy fix. The ground glass frame is screwed down with a machine screw into a threaded brass inset. To fix it requires the removal of the insert, filling the large hole with a hardwood dowel and redrilling a new hole. Please check your cameras and contact Calumet amd complain. If enough people do it, perhaps they will take responsibility.

 

Patrick Alt

Elaine,

 

I had an original Zone VI (before it broke apart) and used a bag bellows for lenses 150 down to 75mm. No problems with the 90 (when I had it) or the 75.

 

My insurance company is replacing the camera with a new "Ultralight" model. Once I get it, it is for sale without being opened including the bag bellows and fresnel screen that I have. I'm going metal.

 

Anybody interested in this package??

 

BTW....WELCOME to LF and.....enjoy!

To answer your queston about changing bellows in the field; It changes very quickly and easily. The only problem is where to put the normal bellows when using the bag bellows. I end up carrying it (dorky) or changing immediately back to normal.

Elaine -

 

When I read over the responses, I detected a theme of criticism that might lead you to question your purchase.

 

I've had a Zone VI for a two years, and I love it. Please bear in mind that one of the quirks of human nature is to complain. Use your camera and form your own opinions.

 

As to your actual question - the published information suggests that you can use the standard bellows down to 90mm. I can't confirm that based on my own experience. In fact, I am struggling to decide where I want to go with my next lens purchase - if I purchase another lens at all. One of my objectives in getting into LF was to avoid the gadget trap that 35mm often turns into - so that I can concentrate on image making rather than collecting goodies. One of the neat things about LF is that everything is so heavy/bulky. My LF kit is smaller/lighter in weight than my 35mm kit, and I really want it to stay that way!