Bellows dimensions and movements

Posted in the building section but realized this may be more appropriate here. I am in the process of building a 4x5 but I'm hung up on something halfway through the process. I did not stop and think about my billows diameter and now I'm concerned. It will be a square bellows but because of the frames I designed I only have about 6" (possibly a bit less) in each direction for the billows (not length). Will this severly restrict my camera movements? (I'm afraid the bellows might block the iamge from the film plane) or is that not a concern? Having not worked with alrgeformat before I'm a bit unclear on this. What is a "normal" diameter for a square 4x5 bellows? If someone could put my mind at ease I'd be much obliged.

I don't think it is geometrically possible for a bellows to block the image unless it sags. Any parallelogram or trapezoid you draw representing the lens and focal planes and 2 (straight) parallel bellows sides will reveal this. However, you might run out of lens coverage with extreme movements of the bellows.

The 6" square dimension limits your lensboard size and that could be a design problem depending on the size of the lens/shutter you wish to use.

Joe

Ishotharold ,

The GraphicView 4x5 camera is 6x6 outside rear and 5 1/4 x 51/4 inside rear. You will just need to make the bellows pleats taper down to 3/8" at the rear inner side to get the clearance.

Have fun with it

I also think you will be OK unless you plan on using extremely wide lenses with a lot of front rise. On a few occasions with extreme front rise and a short lens, I have blocked part of the image circle with the bellows.