Lenses That Work with Bellows

[Michael Erlewine]

What are some of the lenses you use or have used with bellows or technical cameras and the Nikon Cameras? Here are ones that I know work. Let me know of others please, that you would suggest.


El Nikkor 105mm f/5.6 APO
Nikkor AM-120mm f/5.6
Macro Nikkor 120mm f/6.3
Macro Nikkor 65mm f/4.5
Nikon PC-Auto 105mm f/1.2
Carl Zeiss S-Planar 74mm f/4
Nikkor-P 105mm f/4 Bellows
Printing Nikkor 95mm f/2.8
Printing Nikkor 105mm f/2.8
Printing Nikkor 150mm f/2.8

[Bjørn Rørslett]

The first versions of the Bellows-Nikkor 135 mm f/4 Nikkor-Q come to mind. Like the shorter successor, the Bellows-Nikkor 105 mm f/4 P, they all focus to infinity.

I think it's important to keep in mind that most lenses can be mounted on bellows.  For shorter focal lengths, they have to mounted in reverse , otherwise the focus plane gets inside the optics. A little impractical alternative ...

On an FX camera, lens heads with a focal length from around 90 mm can reach infinity if the bellows device can be sufficiently compressed.

The best alternatives are lens 'heads', i.e. optics without a focusing helicoid. In order to manipulate the aperture, the lens in question either has to have a manual aperture ring, or the aperture can be set through an adapter.

[Michael Erlewine]

When you have time, I would love some nitty-gritty details on all of this, if you will. I get the idea, but would appreciate some chapter and verse, if time permits.

[Frank Fremerey]

thank you Bjørn!

As I know price is not something that holds you back, Michael, you might be interested in the Schneider APO Digitar series:

https://www.schneideroptics.com/ecommerce/CatalogSubCategoryDisplay.aspx?CID=202

and the corresponding Rodenstock Digaron line:

http://www.rodenstock-photo.com/de/produkte/fachobjektive-digital

IMO these lenses are the best money can buy, apart from some motion picture glass, military and custom in space astro optics

[Michael Erlewine]

thank you Bjørn!

As I know price is not something that holds you back, Michael, you might be interested in the Schneider APO Digitar series:

https://www.schneideroptics.com/ecommerce/CatalogSubCategoryDisplay.aspx?CID=202

and the corresponding Rodenstock Digaron line:

http://www.rodenstock-photo.com/de/produkte/fachobjektive-digital

IMO these lenses are the best money can buy, apart from some motion picture glass, military and custom in space astro optics

Frank, of these very expensive lenses, which would be best for close-up work on the Cambo Actus. How is the Scneider APO-SYMMAR 120mm f/5.6 lens different from a Super Symmar, if you know?

[Dr Klaus Schmitt]

Frank, of these very expensive lenses, which would be best for close-up work on the Cambo Actus. How is the Scneider APO-SYMMAR 120mm f/5.6 lens different from a Super Symmar, if you know?

Read Here about it: https://www.schneideroptics.com/pdfs/Digitar.pdf

[Michael Erlewine]

Read Here about it: https://www.schneideroptics.com/pdfs/Digitar.pdf

I read there what I could. But is this a key lens for DSLR size camers or some other focal length?

[Dr Klaus Schmitt]

I read there what I could. But is this a key lens for DSLR size camers or some other focal length?

Medium / Large format coverage and for Tilt/Shift applications due to their large image circle -
why elso would I have posted it then?