Macro Bellows or Extension Tubes

Art Scott

Decided to get back into the macro world and have been having fun with my Nikkor 105 f4 AIS....now I would like to get closer than 1/2 lifesize.... all my close focusing lenses with probably always stay Manual Focus lenses ... ... now I am just trying to decide if I want to go extension tubes or macro bellows??? ??? ???

basflt

tubes , because : are cheaper and easy in use / handling
http://www.macrobellows.com/technique.php

puzzledpaul

Depends on what you're intending shooting, imo.

With either you'll obviously have the usual manual operation issues.
Bellows will provide a wider mag range than tubes and assuming that they're going to be used for static subjects, will offer better control / framing opportunities when tripod mounted - especially if there's no tripod ring involved with the tubes setup.

I'd suggest getting the sort that allows both front and rear* standards to be moved along the rail as well as the whole assembly being able to be (more easily) adusted for best focus once mag has been set - latter also provides a better balanced (imo) tripod mount than lens+tubes+cam than when cam attached to tripod head.

*If you can't move the rear standard and you're using a short bellows extension, you can sometimes get the front of the rail interfering with the subject setup.

Also worth checking that you'll be able to rotate cam to portrait without cam fouling the rail - especially if rear standard has been adjusted towards the front.

pp

Art Scott

Thanks for the input...all bellows I have seen over the years only had front standard adjustments...now to search out the doubles...

Thanx again.

puzzledpaul

Art, since (iirc) you're a Nikon user now, this is an example of the sort of thing I was referring to:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nikon-PB-6-Bellows-Focusing-Attachment-AR-7-Double-Cabel-Release-Mint-/280867174332?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4164fcf7bc

Being a Canon user, I've got (and used) their auto bellows equivalent:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Canon-Auto-Bellows-High-Quality-Heavy-Made-NOS-W-O-BOX-Lots-More-See-/120898619120?pt=UK_Photography_VintageCameras_SM&hash=item1c261e86f0

As they were both (and others) generally designed for use with older / smaller bodies, it's also worth noting that you might have issues rotating the cam around the rear standard to change to P orientation ... even though once rotated there's sufficient clearance to adjust the position once it's actually been rotated.

btw - never tracked Nikon bellows prices accurately as no need, but they seemed to go for more than C ones ... I've bought C auto bellows for a little over £30 in the past ... approx $50

pp

Art Scott

That Nikon one is OOOOOlala ...nice.

Thank You PuzzledPaul...my ebay searches were onoy coming up with el-cheapo china made bellows...thank you again.