How long shoud my camera's bellow be?

[zalantoth]

Hey!

I'm building a 6x17 3D printable view camera. Which will be purchasable.

I have a Schneider Symmar S 150mm f5.6 lens, however I don't know how long the bellow should be. I've heard that it should be long enough to be able to focus to the infinity with the lens, but again I don't know how far it is from the film. 

So, can anyone help me?

[rodeo_joe1]

Here's a clue: Bellows are extended to focus closer, and collapsed to focus further away. So the question should be; how close do you want the camera to focus? 

[ed_farmer]

If you make it 300mm, your 150mm lens will, if I remember correctly, will be able to focus to 1:1 for close up photography.  The lens that you are using is not a true telephoto design so infinity should be at about 150mm from the film plane. Longer to focus closer.  

Are you only designing for this lens?

[Dustin McAmera]

If the OP couldn't find something this basic out by their own effort, it seems to me they may not be the best person to design a camera. 😼

 

[Jochen_S]

If you are constructing it for others, your lens doesn't matter. 

• Offer some bag bellows option, to gomwith wides, from 9 to at leas 18 cm.
• Offer some rail extension for a slightly longer lens, like a 355mm that folks might have laying around. Dunno if 1:1 is totally needed for such but draw for1:2 seems nice to have?

[rodeo_joe1]

On 2/3/2023 at 10:14 PM, Dustin McAmera said:

If the OP couldn't find something this basic out by their own effort, it seems to me they may not be the best person to design a camera. 😼

 

I had the same thought, but nearly bit my tongue right off resisting the urge to say it! 😇

Totally off topic - anyone else think that the selection of emojis we're offered here is a bit weird? Most of them need a sub-title.