What R lenses with BELLOWS ?

Can anyone please tell me if the standard 50mm lens can be used with the R bellows ? What is the ratio ?

First of all, yes the 50/2 can be fitted to the bellows. As to the

magnification, the bellows has a maximum extension of 110mm. Adding

50mm extension to a 50mm lens gives 1:1, so the bellows can more than

double that, plus there's some more extension available using the

50's own focusing mechanism. The only problem is that the standard

50 was not computed for maximum performance in the close-up range nor

for use at extremely small apertures (in fact it only goes to f/16

which is limiting in macro work), so it would probably be overly

ambitious to expect the same kind of image quality when used on a

bellows at maximum extension, stopped down to f/16 (which again

doesn't give you as much DOF as you will probably want)as you're used

to in normal photography.

I have a reverse ring for my Nikon 50mm, so when using it on long

extension, the rear element is facing forward. This is supposed to

optimize the image quality and increase magnification. The lens is

then used manual aperture of course. Leica must have some sort of

adapter like this. People also use quality enlarging lenses on

bellows as well.