Help with wide angle 90mm

[menglert]

Recently I aquired a Calumet 400 series from a very kind APUG member. I have no experience with large format, but have been reading a few books and trying to learn. One of my lens purchases was a 90mm lens for wide angle shots.

Today was the first time I was able to try the lens on the camera, and found that the rail on the camera comes into view when I try to use it. Also, the bellows are barely extended when I am in sharp focus, thus limiting my movements.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to deal with this? Did I make a mistake by purchasing the 90mm?

Regards,
Martin

 

[Dave Wooten]

Move both front and back of your camera to the front of the rail. The 90 mm is a great focal length, you will get a lot of use out of it.

 

[menglert]

Thanks for the tip. I'll do that. Like always, I appreciate the help.

Regards,
Martin

 

[Rick Haug]

Martin,
I too have a Calumet 400, though these days it sits unused in its case while the field camera gets all the work. I tried a 90mm f8 lens on the Calumet and found the same scrunched-up bellows and limited movemnts that you experienced. There is a recessed lens board available that will help with the bellows problem. However it creates a new problem. When mounted on the 4" square recessed board the aperture and shutter speed rings may be difficult to get at. My conclusion was the Calumet 400 and a 90mm lens were not a good working combination for me.

 

[removed account4]

martin

find a recessed lensboard, if youdn't already have one
it will give you enough room to use your 90mm lens and your
straight (non bagbellows) ... i used to have a graphic view II and i always used a 90mm lens on it. had no problems with movements either.

have fun!
john

 

[menglert]

Thanks for the additional advice. I'll keep a look out for one, or perhaps exchange my current one.

Regards,
Martin

 

[Scott Peters]

I might look for a 180mm or 210mm caltar lens as an alternative. The caltars are great lenses and less expensive.

 

[menglert]

I have a Caltar 210mm f6.8 I got from KEH. They rated it as EX, but it looks brand new. Says it was made in Japan, so I'm guessing it might be Fujinon.

Thanks for the advice.

Regards,
Martin

 

[Rick Haug]

Martin,
If you decide to try a recessed lensboard with your Calumet 400 and 90mm lens, note that in the APUG Classifieds under "Buy/Sell Accessories", Oren Grad is offering one for sale at a very reasonable price. I paid more than Oren's price for one a couple years ago, then later sold it for the same price to another APUG member.