Telephoto Lens and Bellows Length

I have a Shen Hao with a 15 inch bellows. Any ideas on what is the longest

telephoto lens I can use with that bellows length?

 

Tx,

 

JR

The Nikkor 500T takes 14 inches of bellows at infinity. You can use the 500T and 360T.

So then I suppose it stands to reason I could also the Fujinon 400 T?

The figure you want from the datasheets is the "flange focal distance" or "flange focal length". This is the distance from the back of the shutter (or front of lensboard) to the film when the lens is focused on infinity. To focus the lens on infinity, your camera needs this much extension. To focus closer, you need a a few tens of mm more extension then the FFD, so you want a lens with an FFD a few tens of mm smaller than the maximum extension of your camera.

 

The Nikon LF telephotos: f=360 mm has FFD=261 mm and f=500 mm has FFD=350 mm so these will both work, as Louis said. But the 500 mm might be pushing your camera because you would be always using it near the maximum extension of your camera. The f=600 mm has FFD=409 mm, which is too much for your camera.

 

The Fuji LF telephotos: f=400 mm has FFD=259 mm, so yes, you can use it on your camera. The 600 mm Fuji-T has FFD=384 mm, which is too long (you might be able to focus at infinity, but not closer).

 

Scheider also makes two fast (f5.6) 400 mm LF telephotos (http://www.schneideroptics.com/photography/large_format_lenses/apo-tele-xenar_hm/ ). Probably most photographers will want the Compact, which has an FFD of 285 mm.

Important to get a telephoto design for anything longer than 300mm. Even for 300 if close focusing is important. Please note that using front swings and tilts is more complicated with telephoto design lenses. Are you sure you have 15" of bellows? Sounds more than usual for Shenhao.

As Michael points out about the collar that can be placed between the shutter and lens board, I have one for my 360mm on my Linhof III and it is really nice... short bellows draw and easy closeups. One could be easily made by a machine shop.

One thing to watch out for is the fact that tele lenses are large and heavy. Combining that fact with a camera stretched out all the way means possible vibration issues, made worse by the greater magnification of the longer lens. If you can, try before buying.