Chamonix Accessories: WA Bellows and Folding Viewfinder

JWMster · Nov 19, 2020

Looking at a WA bellows for my wider lenses. The Bag bellows kind of falls all over the place. I've seen WA bellows on non-Chamonix cameras where they're built to keep the whole out of the compression. Anyone use one of these on a Chamonix with success?

And I'm also looking at the folding viewfinder as possibly an easier-than-dark-cloth way to focus. Not sure how it works, or if it gets in the way when you're trying to load a film holder in place. Anyone have experience with this?

Love to hear your experience, thoughts, praise and/or grumbles. THanks!

grat · Nov 19, 2020

I've got the "folding viewfinder with carbon fiber cover". It replaces the standard ground-glass protector with two sliders to latch it into position. Since it's on the outside of the glass, it's out of the way when you slide a film holder in. The long viewfinder looks a bit fiddly to me, but mounts the same way.

The only complaint I have is that my loupe is a bit short to fit easily inside the hood, so for critical focus it can be a little awkward.

It does make it possible to use the camera, even in bright light, without a dark cloth.

Alan Edward Klein · Nov 19, 2020

grat said:
I've got the "folding viewfinder with carbon fiber cover". It replaces the standard ground-glass protector with two sliders to latch it into position. Since it's on the outside of the glass, it's out of the way when you slide a film holder in. The long viewfinder looks a bit fiddly to me, but mounts the same way.

The only complaint I have is that my loupe is a bit short to fit easily inside the hood, so for critical focus it can be a little awkward.

It does make it possible to use the camera, even in bright light, without a dark cloth.

How long of a loupe would you need to work with it? Is the screen bright enough with wide-angle, normal, and long lenses, especially on the sides? I have an eye-level viewfinder with a built-in magnifier. OK with 300mm lens (4x5 camera) but the sides are very hard to see with wider lenses. YOu can't use a loupe so I take it off after I set up the view.

grat · Nov 19, 2020

My loupe is only 2.5" long. I like it because it's square, and it's got an opaque base, but I wouldn't mind it being longer. I can still manipulate it, but I'm basically pinching it by the eyepiece with thumb and forefinger. I would say anything at least 3.5" would be enough?

The screen's as bright as it usually is-- since it's an open hood, rather than an eyepiece, you can move around freely. It just blocks most of the sun from getting to the glass.

As a result, I typically compose with the hood on, then remove it to check critical focus.

Alan Edward Klein · Nov 19, 2020

grat said:
My loupe is only 2.5" long. I like it because it's square, and it's got an opaque base, but I wouldn't mind it being longer. I can still manipulate it, but I'm basically pinching it by the eyepiece with thumb and forefinger. I would say anything at least 3.5" would be enough?

The screen's as bright as it usually is-- since it's an open hood, rather than an eyepiece, you can move around freely. It just blocks most of the sun from getting to the glass.

As a result, I typically compose with the hood on, then remove it to check critical focus.

So if you had a 3 1/2" loupe, you could check the ground glass with the hood on?

grat · Nov 19, 2020

I don't see why not. This particular hood opens to the same dimensions as the ground glass.

Here's a shot with the hood in place-- it's very hastily done, so I'm not going to claim it's a great photo-- I didn't close the blinds behind me, the weather is a bit overcast, etc., but it's my worst lens (105mm f/5.6 with a poor image circle that just barely covers 4x5). Also, since I've got the fresnel in, the center will be brighter until you move your head (which I couldn't do with the camera).

Still, you can see the edges of the image in the ground glass pretty clearly.

JWMster · Nov 22, 2020

I'll have to measure my Toyo Loupe. Thanks for this!

Chamonix Accessories: WA Bellows and Folding Viewfinder

JWMster

grat

Alan Edward Klein

grat

Alan Edward Klein

grat

JWMster

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