Novoflex CASTBAL T/S bellows

[dkCambridgeshire]

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In order to make a better job of 'small product' photo projects, I'm planning to buy a Novoflex CASTBAL tilt and shift bellows attachment for use with my existing Novoflex Castel-Q focus rack. I need various adaptors for both the cameras (initially, Leica R/DMR and Leica T [or T with existing M adaptor] ), and the lenses (initially, Leica R, Leica M)

 

Trying to figure out exactly which adaptors are required is a very frustrating task because the Novoflex website and the Speedgraphic (the UK agent) website both appear to list different adaptors &/or codes for the required combinations.

 

If only they both published diagrams illustrating ALL the necessary components it would be so much easier to figure out … and also used homogeneous codings e.g. spaces and dashes

 

I would not dare order online for fear of ordering the incorrect item(s) - especially as some are not in stock.

 

I have never been so confused when attempting to ascertain exactly what components are required for a project.

 

So frustrating I've almost decided on Plan B … buy a Canon 45mm T-SE lens instead and use with a Canon DSLR.

 

dunk

Edited January 10, 2015 by dkpeterborough

[giordano]

In order to make a better job of 'small product' photo projects, I'm planning to buy a Novoflex CASTBAL tilt and shift bellows attachment for use with my existing Novoflex Castel-Q focus rack. I need various adaptors for both the cameras (initially, Leica R/DMR and Leica T [or T with existing M adaptor] ), and the lenses (initially, Leica R, Leica M) <snip>

 

So frustrating I've almost decided on Plan B … buy a Canon 45mm T-SE lens instead and use with a Canon DSLR.

 

How small are your products and what working distance to you want? The CASTBAL's minimum thickness is (IIRC) about 25mm, to which you have to add the effective thickness of two adapters, plus a few mm more to make room for tilting. So with R or M lenses on R or T body you won't get infinity focus and may not get the field of view you need. In that case, a DSLR with TS lens may be the simpler solution (or perhaps the 90mm Schneider lens that Novoflex offer for the CASTBAL).

 

As for your specific question about ordering adapters, all I can suggest is that you don't tell the dealer which items you want but what you want to do, mount a Leica R lens on the front of a CASTBAL/Castel-Q and a Leica R body on the back. That way, consumer law is on your side: if the items they deliver don't do what you asked for they have to supply ones that do or give you your money back.

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[dkCambridgeshire]

How small are your products and what working distance to you want? The CASTBAL's minimum thickness is (IIRC) about 25mm, to which you have to add the effective thickness of two adapters, plus a few mm more to make room for tilting. So with R or M lenses on R or T body you won't get infinity focus and may not get the field of view you need. In that case, a DSLR with TS lens may be the simpler solution (or perhaps the 90mm Schneider lens that Novoflex offer for the CASTBAL).

 

As for your specific question about ordering adapters, all I can suggest is that you don't tell the dealer which items you want but what you want to do, mount a Leica R lens on the front of a CASTBAL/Castel-Q and a Leica R body on the back. That way, consumer law is on your side: if the items they deliver don't do what you asked for they have to supply ones that do or give you your money back.

 

Infinity focus is not required for product photos … and do not need it. The types of subject would be up to 50cm³ (ish) … similar to this microscope http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/technology-industry/359337-leitz-1923-travelling-microscope.html

 

Working distance varies but for the full frontal microscope pics was approx 150cm from front of the lens … lens' equivalent focal length is 82mm.

 

I used PS for some verticals/perspective correction but it's a compromise and prefer to do everything 'in camera' with minimal PP.

 

The Schneider lens option is outside my budget - and prefer to use Leica optics. Images will be used for Leica Society Circle(s) submissions and TLS magazine articles for which Leica lenses are preferable.

 

I enjoy using the R9/DMR … and the 60mm macro Elmarit works well with it … and I'm hoping the lens offers sufficient 'shift' without vignetting on the 1.37 cropped format. However, if it doesn't, I have other R lenses which might. Also have long focus Leitz Milar and Summar lenses to experiment with. Some 'R 'lenses adapt for use with the medium format Leica S cameras - thus they have 'shift' potential on the smaller 1.37 crop DMR format.

 

Yes I will be approaching the main UK agent for advice before ordering.

 

I'm having a moan 'in general' about the confusing way Novoflex and Speedgraphic document the various options available on their websites.

 

As hinted prevously, a few exploded diagrams would make accessory choice much easier and obviate the need to ask the importer for advice.

 

A Canon T&S lens would be another option (but not for Leica Society imaging) but EF lenses are not compatible with Leica R bodies - and no adaptors available.

 

Best wishes

 

dunk

 

EDIT: I just tried the 60mm Macro Elmarit on a Leica Bellows R; it's not suitable for bellows use at the relatively low magnification required for the microscope photos.

 

However, also tried my 'old faithful' Macro Elmar R 100mm bellows lens and it is fine - but the lens to subject distance is 250cm - and effective focal length is 137mm.

 

I've been jumping the gun a bit expecting the 60mm lens to work at low magnification on the bellows - that is a physical impossibility - should have tested it first - a longer focal length is required to include the whole of the microscope.

 

But the 60mm could be used for smaller subjects with the Novoflex CASTBAL bellows … and with improved DOF via the tilt function.

Edited January 10, 2015 by dkpeterborough
additional info.

[dkCambridgeshire]

Incidentally, the Macro Elmar R 100mm bellows lens was the very first Leica R optic I purchased secondhand in 1988 when I had an adaptor made to use a Leitz Bellows R with a Canon T90. At the time I'd never seen such fine build quality in any lens; it's one of the great unloved R lenses but its design and construction is superb. It's also the lens used by James Lager to photograph most of the illustrations in the 3 volumes of his definitive 'Leica - An Illustrated History'.

 

dunk

Edited January 10, 2015 by dkpeterborough

[tobey bilek]

Very nice photos. Goes to prove it is all about getting the lighting right.

 

I am going to suggest you consider an enlarging lens as the image circle is large allowing for considerable movement.. The 135 4.5 Hector also has decent image circle and will cover 5x4 . In the previous catalogs it was called a long focus design rather than telephoto. At F8 it will be very competitive to the 100 bellows.

 

I never used the macro Elmar on a view camera and have no idea the image circle size. I do know it is best used at close range.

 

I think you will find the Digitar series series by Schneider also helpful.

 

In proceeding you will find T/S functions do not actually increase the depth of focus, but only move the plane of focus so it is not parallel to the camera back.

 

You might consider "focus stacking" and blend in photoshop.

[dkCambridgeshire]

Very nice photos. Goes to prove it is all about getting the lighting right.

 

I am going to suggest you consider an enlarging lens as the image circle is large allowing for considerable movement.. The 135 4.5 Hector also has decent image circle and will cover 5x4 . In the previous catalogs it was called a long focus design rather than telephoto. At F8 it will be very competitive to the 100 bellows.

 

I never used the macro Elmar on a view camera and have no idea the image circle size. I do know it is best used at close range.

 

I think you will find the Digitar series series by Schneider also helpful.

 

In proceeding you will find T/S functions do not actually increase the depth of focus, but only move the plane of focus so it is not parallel to the camera back.

 

You might consider "focus stacking" and blend in photoshop.

 

Thank you for the advice. I am considering acquiring a Hektor but its 135mm focal length is too long for the temporary studio set-up in my lounge … the Macro Elmar's 100mm is the maximum comfortable focal length for the low magnification microscope subjects project.

 

I plan to try a 135mm Hektor as a close-up lens for higher magnification imaging e.g. 1/4 life size and greater - to establish if it is a usable macro objective. I recall that Stephen Dalton used a Hektor for his high speed flash experiments back in the 1970s - so the lens probably has more potential than the rather average 'Performance' summary and MTF graph in Leica Pocket Book 8th Edition suggest.

 

I have other vintage Leitz microscopes to photograph at relatively low magnification and need the 'shift' facility to be able to compose the images of the entire scopes from above the subjects without diverging verticals ... and compose 'in camera' rather than via post processing perspective control.

 

Since commencing this thread I managed to figure out the correct codes for the CASTBAL accessories and have ordered same after consulting the dealer to double check items required - so they're now on special order for delivery in 2 to 3 weeks. The confusion was partly caused by Novoflex's two different T&S bellows requiring similar and similarly coded accessories. Too easy when scrolling through all the various accessory options to confuse e.g. a PROLEI lens adaptor with the correct UNILEI adaptor.

 

I have a selection of enlarging lenses to experiment with from 40mm to 80mm focal lengths but prefer to use Leica R lenses. Also plan to experiment with Leica M lenses using a Leica T camera (1.5x crop factor) with the CASTBAL … but have no idea until start experimenting whether e.g. a 35mm Summicron at 52mm FF equivalent focal length will enable sufficiently low magnification with the CASTBAL to frame the whole of the microscope.

 

I have tried a Canon 24mm TSE lens with a Canon 1100D ( 1.6x crop thus 38.4mm FF equivalent) and using the lens' shift was very satisfied with the improved verticals control when photographing the 'scope. However, the lens was rather too close to the subject for comfort (lights too hot on my head when composing) and there is no easy way of hitching up a 24mm Canon tilt and shift lens to a Leica camera for low magnification work. I have to use Leica cameras and lenses for Leica Society Circle image submissions.

 

I had considered buying a Leica R 28mm PC Super Angulon which with the R9/DMR would be 38mm FF equivalent - but the CASTBAL plus accessories is a more cost effective and versatile option. Furthermore, I have no idea how the Schneider designed Leica R 28mm PC Super Angulon performs as a close-up lens; and the lens has a reputation for CA issues; and s/h prices are too high.

 

Best wishes

 

dunk

Edited January 14, 2015 by dkpeterborough
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