| Author: | | Veteran Member Registered: September, 2017 Location: Medellín Posts: 1,322 | | Review Date: January 2, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $266.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Build quality, versatility, automatic aperture (with double cale release. | | Cons: | | |
There's not much I can add that hasn't been said already. I got mine from the previous reviewer here on the forum. Yes, it's big, but that's to be expected for a 6x7 system. It's however the right size for it. Anyone that has handled a 4x5 monorail will see it rather small, actually. Sadly, no movements on this unit, which could've been useful for DOF, but also more challenging and made it perhaps heavier.
| | | | | | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: August, 2007 Location: Coquitlam, BC, Canada Posts: 624
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 6, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $285.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Excellent Build, Smooth functions, Adaptable to 645 and K, Pleated Bellows can still be replaced. | | Cons: | Awkward to transport assembled. | |
The Asahi Pentax Auto Bellows 6x7 looks very much like the “35mm” auto bellows units K, M and A, but it is not until you actually hold one in your hands do you truly appreciate the size. This bellows is a huge. It retains similar design features as the “35mm” auto bellows units, the well-engineered “X” rail, independently moveable front and rear mounting boards, with the front lens board being reversible, a geared rail mount and tripod seat, for balance and focus assist, and all operated by micro-action control knobs with integral locking knobs. The bottom mounting plate has a generous mounting surface and includes a threaded 1/4 -20 (UNC) mounting hole as well as a 3/8-16 (UNC) threaded hole to accommodate larger tripod studs.
A magnetically attached magnification scale is included as well as a Pentax Double Cable Release A. Using the double cable release retains automatic diaphragm operation, allowing open aperture focusing with automatic aperture stop down at time of exposure. The minimum extension distance at 54mm is almost the same as a #3 Auto Extension Tube. The bellows unit is extendable from 54mm to 352mm with normal setting, and from 100mm to 353mm with the front board reversed. Although the front board turns around to mount a lens in reverse, you can also mount a lens in reverse configuration using the Reverse Adaptor 67mm or the Reverse Adaptor 49mm accessories, which is a slightly quicker method.
Unlike the Pentax “35mm” Auto Bellows Units the Camera Body Connector Ring is not removable for ease of mounting the camera, the camera mount of this bellows utilizes the 6x7 outer bayonet mount with a lever operated “breach” locking mechanism. Mounting the camera body is a little awkward and is definitely a two handed operation. During the camera attachment the bellows needs to be securely mounted on a substantial tripod to avoid accidents.
Magnification values are moderate compared to what can be achieved with the smaller “35mm” auto bellows units. With the SMC Pentax 67 105mm f2.4 lens magnifications from 0.51X to 2.0X are available, and 0.73X to 3.02X with the same lens reversed. Lenses from 90mm to 300mm are usable with the exception of the LS 165mm f4.0. Using the Reverse Adaptor 49mm allows the mounting of some “35mm” lenses. The instructions for the reverse adapter lists a number of 35mm lenses, and two lenses seem particularly interesting. The 28mm f3.5 and the 35mm F2 and F3.5 will attain significantly higher magnification values than can be achieved by 6x7 and 67 lenses.
The TTL Pentaprism Finder on the Pentax 67 II camera body, with its built-in exposure meter would allow stop-down metering, but this finder protrudes slightly past the body mounting flange on the camera body and will not allow the body to be mounted on the bellows with this finder installed. Using the Extension Tube #1 or #2 from the less common two piece 6x7 Extension Tube Set (non-auto, outer bayonet) will facilitate the mounting without changing the viewfinder, however using the optional Rigid Magnifying Hood or the Folding Focusing Hood for the 6x7 film camera is actually a better choice for macro work and their use does not require an extension tube.
The lenses mount on an internal bayonet mount, as they do on the camera body. The 6x7 Auto Extension Tubes and the Helicoid Extension Tube 67 cannot be used on the camera end, because of the breech lock mount, but can be used on the lens board, with the Auto Extension Tubes retaining automatic diaphragm operation while the Helicoid Extension Tube does not.
Using the Asahi Pentax Auto Bellows 6x7 is a viable macro photography alternative for users of Pentax 645 film, or 645D and 645Z digital cameras as the Auto Bellows 645 is next to impossible to find . The Pentax Adapter 645 for 67 Systems allows mounting the 645 camera bodies on the Auto Bellows 6x7 as this adapter allows both internal and outer bayonet mounting. There are also third party 6x7 to 645 adaptors available, but keep in mind that for bellows use the adapter must have external flange components, or outer bayonet, to accommodate the “breach lock” of the Pentax 6x7 Auto Bellows.
Two of the newer Pentax 67 lenses, the SMC Pentax 67 55mm F4.0 and the SMC Pentax 67 75mm F2.8 AL, will not mount on the front lens board due to a protruding rear lens element. Both of these are still usable by adding the #1 tube of the 6x7 Auto Extension Tube Set. The manual for the Asahi Pentax Auto Bellows 6x7 only lists the SMC Pentax 67 105mm F2.4 lens in reverse mode but the 55 and 75mm lenses can be used and will give higher magnification values, although the 55mm F4.0 would require a step-down adaptor from 77mm to 67mm.
While the Asahi Pentax Auto Bellows 6x7 is quite large and probably best suited for a “studio” environment, it can be set up as a “field” kit. Because the folding bellows itself is quite robust, by being in a metal frame, the whole unit disassembles easily so I set mine up in a Pelican 1500 case with padded dividers and assemble it when I am ready to use it. It has the ambience of using a 4x5 or 8x10 View camera 
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| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: October, 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,092 | | Review Date: December 29, 2015 | Not Recommended | Price: $399.00
| Rating: 6 |
| Pros: | Well built. | | Cons: | Expensive, cumbersome to use and very heavy. | |
The 6x7 Auto Bellows was the one and only bellows unit available for the Pentax 6x7 system. It’s an original accessory from 1969, when the Pentax 6x7 system was first launched. An updated 67 Auto Bellows came out around the time of the 67II camera release and it's identical except for the addition of the #1 Outer Bayonet Extension tube included in the bellows kit. (See below under usage/handling)
Build:
The build of the 6x7 Auto Bellows is superb! It’s well constructed and well put together, but it’s also very heavy. Like with any 40 + year old bellows you run the risk of buying one that is damaged with a light leak. The bellows material can be punctured or crack over the years if not properly used and stored.
Usage/Handling:
I bought my Auto Bellows back in the summer of 2013 with the intention of using it for my indoor 6x7 macro work. However after reading the manual and playing around with it for a while, I never actually got around to using it. Why? Because I found it to be redundant, too heavy and too cumbersome to use.
I also have the Pentax 6x7 Auto Extension tubes, Helicoid Extension tube, 49mm & 67mm reverse adapters and the 67 100/4 Macro lens. With all this existing macro equipment it turned out to be completely unnecessary for me to buy the Auto Bellows, as it did not offer me anything I did not already have.
For macro work up to 1x magnification, I use my 67 100/4 Macro lens. No extension tubes or bellows are necessary and using either with a regular Pentax 6x7 lens just can’t compete with the stellar optics of the 67 100/4 Macro lens.
For macro work over 1x magnification, where a lens should be reversed for better performance, I use the helicoid extension tube & a reverse adapter. The 67mm adapter lets me use any 6x7 lens with a 67mm filter thread and the 49mm adaptor can be used with any 35mm SLR Takumar or K-Mount lens with a 49mm filter thread. This setup is way easier to use than the 6x7 Auto Bellows and weighs a lot less. Also I can get much higher magnification reversing a 35mm SLR lens on the Helicoid extension tube with the 49mm adapter, than you can with any 6x7 lens reversed on the Auto Bellows. (You can only use a lens with a 67mm filter thread reversed on the Auto Bellows)
When mounting a Pentax 67II & the AE Metered prism on the Auto Bellows, you will also have to use the 6x7 Outer Bayonet extension tube #1. The 67IIs AE prism will not clear the bellows unit without the extension tube mounted between the bellows unit and the 67II body. This #1 Outer Bayonet Extension tube is available separately as part of the "6x7 Outer Bayonet Extension Tube set" or was included in the "67 Auto Bellows kit".
Long exposure times are also a worry when using the 6x7 Auto Bellows, as the bellows is mounted on the tripod and the camera body hangs off the end of the bellows. You’re less likely to get camera movement using the Helicoid extension tube/reverse adapter system, as the camera body is mounted on the tripod.
Here is a picture of my 6x7 Auto Bellows:
Summary:
I can’t really recommend buying the 6x7 Auto Bellows as it’s expensive, cumbersome to use and very heavy. For higher magnification you can get by with the Helicoid & Auto Extension tubes and a reverse adapter, all at a cheaper price. Also this system is lighter and much easier to use. If you are only interested in 6x7 Macro work up to 1x magnification, then the 67 100/4 Macro lens should be your first purchase. It will blow your socks off when you see the images that lens can produce. If I ever get around to actually using my 6x7 Auto Bellows with a loaded camera, then I may change my rating but I doubt it.
Price:
I bought my Auto Bellows online and paid $399.00. It was in mint- condition and came with the original box, scale, cable release and manual.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: October, 2012 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,437 | | Review Date: January 21, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $99.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Stops down the lens (with the native cable release), collapses significantly,, exceptional build quality | | Cons: | Long rail, large size, requires a large format tripod for proper stability, does not accept 6X7 to K adapters | |
I bought the 6X7 auto bellows because I love my 6X7 system but also so that I could use it with my K-mount DSLRs for extreme macro work. The 6X7 bellows extends about three times as far as the standard K bellows. The 6X7 bellows is nearly as large as my 4X5 Calumet CC-400 (smaller bellows dimensions, same rail length.) I was pretty disappointed to see that the bellows locks into the outer 6X7 bayonet and will not accept the 6X7 to K adapter I have. But that's okay because it still works as an amazing macro bellows with the 6X7 system.
The 6X7 bellows magnifies like crazy. Here is a sample photo taken with the 105mm f2.4 at maximum (or near) extension.
I didn't take the time to figure out how much of an enlargement this is, but it was at least 1:1 and maybe larger. I have heard that with a lens reversing ring the 6X7 bellows could reach more than 20:1 magnification. I don't know if that's true and don't have a reversing ring to find out with.
Here's a sample photo at about half the bellows extension.
One drawback is that even with a TTL metering prism, the light loss is so great that the prism cannot meter in many situations. These were taken in full sun and the meter could not return a reading. In fact, I only took two photos on that roll, each with five shots bracketed at one stop each to obtain a proper exposure. So there is a significant light loss with the bellows due to the amount that it extends.
A major issue with the bellows is the size. If you do not have a very sturdy tripod, then there will almost certainly be camera shake. A large-format tripod is the best option for using the 6X7 auto bellows.
A great feature of this bellows is that, if you can obtain the original two-armed release cable, then the lens stops down prior to the camera. This allows stop-down metering with wide-open focusing prior to the shot.
In all the 6X7 auto bellows is very usable, user friendly, and provides great flexibility for macro photography on Pentax's premier medium format system.
One note on the price, I purchased my bellows in mint condition from a store that rarely sells Pentax gear and they had no idea of the price. At the time I bought these, these were selling on eBay for around $500 in the same condition as mine (not a BIN price but actual auction close prices.) These are not cheap and you should probably not expect to find one for $100.
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