Fotodiox macro bellows QUESTION

moral decay · 05-02-2012, 01:01 PM

Amazon.com: Fotodiox macro bellows for Pentax Digital Cameras, Pentax K-5, K-r, K-x, K-7, K-m, x70, X90, K200d, K20d, K100D Super, K10D, K110D,K100D, *ist DL2, *ist DS2, *ist DL, *ist DS, K1000, K2000: Camera & Photo

^I bought this... it is pretty awesome... question I have for anyone that has used this: it makes it to where you have to use live view on the screen, any way around this?

THANKS IN ADVANCE

SOldBear · 05-02-2012, 01:11 PM

Originally posted by moral decay

... question I have for anyone that has used this: it makes it to where you have to use live view on the screen, any way around this?

Exactly what do you want to get around?

What do you want (or not want) to do? Not using live view?

What don't you like when you don't use live view?

moral decay · 05-02-2012, 01:23 PM

it doesn't take the picture nearly as quick in live view it seems. so it causes a slight blur if the object you're shooting moves (insect)...

excanonfd · 05-02-2012, 02:52 PM

I don't see why you have to shoot in live view only, it's a simple mechanical device like any other bellows. You just have to raise your shutter speed, not the easiest thing to do because of the amount of light reaching the sensor decreases as the extension of the bellows increases but again, what does this have to do with shooting in live view?

smfrycruzr · 11-16-2014, 11:39 AM

I'm looking at one of these also...my question is can you adapt a graflex lens to this kind of bellows?

**Mikesul** · 11-16-2014, 01:52 PM

thanks for calling our attention to this bellows. The Amazon reviews seem pretty positive. Very tempting.

**beachgardener** · 11-16-2014, 01:55 PM

What is the build quality of this bellows like? The bellows, what material? Do you need to use manual lenses with aperture ring only?
Thank you.

Not a Number · 11-16-2014, 02:19 PM

There are no linkages of any kind on these bellows. So you would use the same procedure as using a screw mount lens or Manual Focus K-mount lens on non-auto tubes.. Set the camera to use aperture ring, set green button in TAv and M mode to Tv shift, set DOF preview to optical.

Set the camera to Manual mode. Focus and compose the shot with the lens wide open. Stop down the lens to desired f-stop. Press the green button (should set shutter speed) or use the DOF preview which will turn on the exposure bars and zero the exposure (or compensate as the case may be) by adjusting the shutter speed with the eDial and or aperture ring on the lens. Take the exposure. You may be able to use Av mode in which case you don't have to bother with the Green button.

**beachgardener** · 11-16-2014, 02:28 PM

Ok, thanks for that, i have been interested in bellows, full manual is also ok with me, maybe I’ll buy myself a present

Not a Number · 11-17-2014, 04:33 AM

Originally posted by beachgardener

full manual is also ok with me, maybe I’ll buy myself a present

Why not? It may not have all the bells and whistles of the Pentax Auto Bellows (change orientation of camera independent of the bellows, moving front and back standards, reversible front standard, slide copier attachment). Even with the auto bellows you still have to shoot full manual as there are no linkages to the camera body. One advantage is the bellows has a DOF preview button that you can use with or without a mechanical cable release to stop-down the lens. Thus you can just set and forget your f-stop. And that's not that much of big deal since you normally shoot close to fully stopped down for best sharpness and DOF. Another big plus with the Pentax Auto Bellows is the built-in focus rail. The Pentax Aoto Bellows for K-mount will probably cost you 2-6x as much as the Fotodiox.

So along with the bellows you should look at focus rails, reverse K-mount adapters and step-up/down rings.

05-02-2012, 01:01 PM	#1
moral decay New Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 19	Fotodiox macro bellows QUESTION Amazon.com: Fotodiox macro bellows for Pentax Digital Cameras, Pentax K-5, K-r, K-x, K-7, K-m, x70, X90, K200d, K20d, K100D Super, K10D, K110D,K100D, ist DL2, ist DS2, ist DL, ist DS, K1000, K2000: Camera & Photo ^I bought this... it is pretty awesome... question I have for anyone that has used this: it makes it to where you have to use live view on the screen, any way around this? THANKS IN ADVANCE

11-16-2014, 02:28 PM	#9
beachgardener Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,842	Ok, thanks for that, i have been interested in bellows, full manual is also ok with me, maybe I’ll buy myself a present Last edited by beachgardener; 11-16-2014 at 02:30 PM. Reason: add info.

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05-02-2012, 01:11 PM	#2
SOldBear Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Alameda, CA Posts: 3,206	Originally posted by moral decay ... question I have for anyone that has used this: it makes it to where you have to use live view on the screen, any way around this? Exactly what do you want to get around? What do you want (or not want) to do? Not using live view? What don't you like when you don't use live view?

05-02-2012, 01:23 PM	#3
moral decay New Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 19 Original Poster	it doesn't take the picture nearly as quick in live view it seems. so it causes a slight blur if the object you're shooting moves (insect)...

05-02-2012, 02:52 PM	#4
excanonfd Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 1,421	I don't see why you have to shoot in live view only, it's a simple mechanical device like any other bellows. You just have to raise your shutter speed, not the easiest thing to do because of the amount of light reaching the sensor decreases as the extension of the bellows increases but again, what does this have to do with shooting in live view?

11-16-2014, 11:39 AM	#5
smfrycruzr Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 15	I'm looking at one of these also...my question is can you adapt a graflex lens to this kind of bellows?

11-16-2014, 01:52 PM	#6
Mikesul Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,594	thanks for calling our attention to this bellows. The Amazon reviews seem pretty positive. Very tempting.

11-16-2014, 01:55 PM	#7
beachgardener Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,842	What is the build quality of this bellows like? The bellows, what material? Do you need to use manual lenses with aperture ring only? Thank you.

11-16-2014, 02:19 PM	#8
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	There are no linkages of any kind on these bellows. So you would use the same procedure as using a screw mount lens or Manual Focus K-mount lens on non-auto tubes.. Set the camera to use aperture ring, set green button in TAv and M mode to Tv shift, set DOF preview to optical. Set the camera to Manual mode. Focus and compose the shot with the lens wide open. Stop down the lens to desired f-stop. Press the green button (should set shutter speed) or use the DOF preview which will turn on the exposure bars and zero the exposure (or compensate as the case may be) by adjusting the shutter speed with the eDial and or aperture ring on the lens. Take the exposure. You may be able to use Av mode in which case you don't have to bother with the Green button.

11-17-2014, 04:33 AM	#10
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Originally posted by beachgardener full manual is also ok with me, maybe I’ll buy myself a present Why not? It may not have all the bells and whistles of the Pentax Auto Bellows (change orientation of camera independent of the bellows, moving front and back standards, reversible front standard, slide copier attachment). Even with the auto bellows you still have to shoot full manual as there are no linkages to the camera body. One advantage is the bellows has a DOF preview button that you can use with or without a mechanical cable release to stop-down the lens. Thus you can just set and forget your f-stop. And that's not that much of big deal since you normally shoot close to fully stopped down for best sharpness and DOF. Another big plus with the Pentax Auto Bellows is the built-in focus rail. The Pentax Aoto Bellows for K-mount will probably cost you 2-6x as much as the Fotodiox. So along with the bellows you should look at focus rails, reverse K-mount adapters and step-up/down rings.