long lens for arca-swiss discovery

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metchikabool - 18 Dec 2004 03:21 GMT

I have an Arca-Swiss Discovery with a 150mm lens, and would like to
purchase a longer lens for this camera. the maximum bellows extension
on this camera is 9", giving a shutter to film plane distance of
roughly 10".

I would appreciate knowing of a longer lens, eg 450-600mm, that would
work on this camera. If there are none, what modifications need to be
made, for example, do I need a fold-down rail extension? Can I get
away with using an outdented lensboard?

I have noted Kerry's "Future Classics" as including the Fujinon C
450mm. Since this is not a telephoto lens, I assume that it will
requir more bellows extension. Can any one tell me what this lens will
require for bellows extension at infinity?

Thanks

Jack

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Douglas - 18 Dec 2004 16:31 GMT

>I have an Arca-Swiss Discovery with a 150mm lens, and would like to
> purchase a longer lens for this camera. the maximum bellows extension
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
> Jack

Jack, there are long lenses (eg the Fujinon C) and then there are Tele-photo
lenses (eg Nikkor T series). My understanding is that Tele lenses require
much less bellows extension ie infinity focus is slightly more than 2/3 the
lens principle focal length. Even so 10" of extension limits your choice
practically to less than 400mm. Tele lenses are all fairly heavy and
mounting them on the end of a long extension board is going to seriously
challenge the stability of your front standard - it will behave like a
lever. Is the limitation the bellows or the rail/bed length? I have the
Fujinon C 450 and it requires about 16 3/4" of bellows for infinity focus (I
believe Kerry's site has a data sheet that shows flange to film distance of
425.3mm). It is a fantastic lens, small, light, & very versatile. I use it
on both 8x10 and 4x5.

Douglas
Ottawa, Ontario

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metchikabool - 18 Dec 2004 16:47 GMT

Thanks, Douglas

The limitation is based on the length of the monorail. If I buy the
extension, then I could get about 17" of bellows. If I flip around my
recessed lens board, then make that around 18". that would be fine for
the Fujinon C, which is light. If I go for a tele, which wouldn't
require so much extension, then I would hopefully not have a lot of
instability

I hope to pick up one of those 450mm Fujinons if I can find one at the
right price. If I do, then I'll have to add on the cost of a rail
extension,, at the very least.

On Sat, 18 Dec 2004 11:31:34 -0500, "Douglas"
<dduthie@keepitsimple.com> wrote:

>>I have an Arca-Swiss Discovery with a 150mm lens, and would like to
>> purchase a longer lens for this camera. the maximum bellows extension
[quoted text clipped - 30 lines]
>Douglas
>Ottawa, Ontario

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jjs - 18 Dec 2004 17:24 GMT

> I hope to pick up one of those 450mm Fujinons if I can find one at the
> right price. If I do, then I'll have to add on the cost of a rail
> extension,, at the very least.

Consider each telephoto on a case-by-case basis. Some are actually well
balanced and will not pull the lens board out.

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metchikabool - 18 Dec 2004 17:33 GMT

Thanks..Any recommendations in the 400-600mm range?

>> I hope to pick up one of those 450mm Fujinons if I can find one at the
>> right price. If I do, then I'll have to add on the cost of a rail
>> extension,, at the very least.
>
>Consider each telephoto on a case-by-case basis. Some are actually well
>balanced and will not pull the lens board out.

Reply to this Message

Nick Zentena - 18 Dec 2004 17:34 GMT

> Thanks, Douglas
>
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> right price. If I do, then I'll have to add on the cost of a rail
> extension,, at the very least.

The 450C is going to need most of that 18" to focus at infinity. If you
plan anything closer then that then you'll need more.

Nick

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Douglas - 18 Dec 2004 18:27 GMT

>> Thanks, Douglas
>>
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> Nick

True, but let's put the 18" in context with this lens. At 18" of extension
(flange to film) the Fujinon 450C will focus on objects 20 feet away.
Whether that is close enough depends upon what you want to photograph. With
4x5 I've rarely needed more extension with this lens. By 19.5" of extension
you're closer than the design intent for the lens (1:5 or m = 0.2) and you
have > 1/2 stop bellows extension correction. It's very useable with 18" of
extension.

D

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Douglas - 18 Dec 2004 18:37 GMT

>>> Thanks, Douglas
>>>
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
>
> D

Sorry, my mistake, it's about 20" of extension to get to approx 1/2 stop
bellows extension correction. At that extension the lens is focused on
objects 8.75 feet in front of the lens.

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metchikabool - 18 Dec 2004 23:27 GMT

I should probably be clearer about my purpose for wanting a longer
lens. It is very unlikely that I will focus on anything much closer
than 100 yards or so. Mostly, I like to "sqeeze together" elements in
a scene, or get closer to critical scenic elements than I am
physically able to. I will likely not be using any movements.

Thanks so much for all of your comments. I'm really still very much in
a learning curve on all this.
Jack

>>>> Thanks, Douglas
>>>>
[quoted text clipped - 26 lines]
>bellows extension correction. At that extension the lens is focused on
>objects 8.75 feet in front of the lens.

Reply to this Message

jjs - 19 Dec 2004 00:18 GMT

>I should probably be clearer about my purpose for wanting a longer
> lens. It is very unlikely that I will focus on anything much closer
> than 100 yards or so. Mostly, I like to "sqeeze together" elements in
> a scene, or get closer to critical scenic elements than I am
> physically able to. I will likely not be using any movements.

Understood. I also appreciate a 'compressed' view. You might look at this
site: www.schneideroptics.com and in the upper-right menu called 'info' take
the 'vintage lens' option and check out the Tele-Zenar's. What you want to
look for is the Back Focal length.

Hope this helps.

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info@kenleegallery.com - 22 Dec 2004 13:06 GMT

I have the Discovery, and use a 450 Fujinon C. I have the extension
rail.

For photos of the camera with this setup, see "Arca Discovery needs no
xtra bellows for Fuji 450C" at
http://largeformatphotography.info/lfforum/topic/499784.html.

For a sample photo taken with the lens, see
http://www.kenleegallery.com/tech.html

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