Longest lens a Shen Hao 4x5 can handle with regular bellows?

[robert_hurd]

Hi, All,

 

Could folks give me an idea of the longest lens that can be used

safely on a Shen Hao HZX 4X5-IIA Camera...using the regular (non-bag)

bellows and perhaps some movements?

 

I have seen a few posted comments on this, plus photos of the front

standard extended forward of the camera, but nothing conclusive. I

understand a "telephoto" design lens would permit greater focal

length than a non-telephoto lens.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Robt.

[ronald_moravec1]

With a twelve inch bellows, a 12 in lens is the longest you can use for infinity focus (in theory ).You need 24 of bellows to reach 1:1 with the same lens. Therefore you need to specify the min focus distance required.

 

A telephoto design will save 20-30% bellows draw for infinity only. The amount of extra draw required for closer than infinity will not change. I gave a range because all tele designs are not equal in savings.

[michael_briggs2]

<p>If the spec sheet or some web source states the maximum extension, then you can calculate the closest focusing distance possible with various regular lenses. The equation is given in the Lens Tutorial: <a href="http://www.photo.net/learn/optics/lensTutorial">http://www.photo.net/learn/optics/lensTutorial</a>.

To be exact, you should measure the film-to-lens distance to the rear principle point of the lens. For regular lenses the center of the lens is close enough for all but very precise calculations. For a telephoto lens the principle plane is shifted, which is the design definition of a telephoto lens, and you need info from the datasheet to be able to do the modified calculation. The shifted principle plane of a telephoto lens in effect gives the photographer some optical extension in addition to the mechanical extension of the cameras. A true telephoto lens, compared to a regular lens, requires less extension to focus on objects at any distance.</p>

 

<p>A rule-of-thumb for non-telephoto lenses is that you want the camera to have a maximum extension of at least about 25% more than the longest focal length that you plan to use.</p>

[michael_veit]

With front standard fully extended, the SH can focus a 300mm to within 5-6 feet.

[timothy_hettinger]

I can use a 300 Nikkor M on mine, but close focusing is limited. It helps to push the front standard forward over the front end of the camera. The extension is limited by the camera, not the bellows, though they will be stretched tight! I generally prefer to use my 210 though, as it gives more flexibility with movements and close focus. As others have suggested, a telephoto design will get you closer.

[bruce g. collier]

Yep, a 300 mm lens will focus easily from about 150 ft to infinity in the normal front standard position, and a lot closer if you disengage the front standard and place it forward as others have said. &nbsp Extra care is necessary to position it and lock it down while in this mode. &nbsp This <a href="http://www.photo.net/photo/2441731">photo</a> was taken on my Shen-Hao with a Nikkor 300 M.

<p>

Regards, Bruce &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp <a href="http://www.brucegcollier.com">www.brucegcollier.com</a></p>

[jean-louis llech]

With the lens base tilt,the length of the bellows can be extended to 14 in. (360mm).<br>

[danny burk www.dannyburk.]

It will just barely take a 500 *tele* at infinity if you need all the focal length you can get.

 

Regards,

Danny www.dannyburk.com

[al_kaplan1]

Recessed lensboards are often used with wide angle lenses to get the lens closer to the film. In many cases a recessed board can be modified to fit on the camera backwards and give you an extra inch or so of extension with longer lenses.

[robert_hurd]

Thanks for all the excellent info!

 

It looks like I need to rent a coupla lenses, to confirm what the capabilities are, before investing in a long lens.

 

Robt.