How to use the Hasselblad automatic bellows?

[ToothyWeasel]

I’ve looked and I can’t seem to find any instructions online for the Hasselblad auto bellows, only the other dual cable release bellows. My three main questions are
1) should I attach the bellows to the body first then a lens after or attach a lens to the bellows first then attach them to the body?

2) is it possible to use a 80mm cf on the bellows while I search for a decent 135mm?

3) If I can use the 80mm, and since focusing is done via the bellows themselves, what should the focus ring be set at on the lens? Infinite?

 

[Bronson Dugnutt]

1) Attach the bellows to the camera then attach the lens. There is no practical difference, but do whatever is physically most appropriate for your set up. You can then swap bodies and lenses at either end.

2) Yep. For large magnifications look into the possibility of mounting your wider lenses in reverse. That kind of setup can give very close working distance with minimal bellows extension.

3) Set the lens at infinity. You can use the focus ring for fine-tuning if needed but in my experience some lenses may exhibit optical artifacts / hot spots / degraded performance when not used at infinity on a bellows.

Edit: Please note this is non-'blad specific advice. Depending on the 'auto' nature of the bellows there may be a preferred technique for your question 1. My bellows usage is limited to Pentax 67 auto tubes and a Nikon pb-6. The 67 tubes combined with the 135mm takumar macro allow 1:1 repro, similar to what it sounds like you're going for with your 'blad.

 

[ToothyWeasel]

1) Attach the bellows to the camera then attach the lens. There is no practical difference, but do whatever is physically most appropriate for your set up. You can then swap bodies and lenses at either end.

2) Yep. For large magnifications look into the possibility of mounting your wider lenses in reverse. That kind of setup can give very close working distance with minimal bellows extension.

3) Set the lens at infinity. You can use the focus ring for fine-tuning if needed but in my experience some lenses may exhibit optical artifacts / hot spots / degraded performance when not used at infinity on a bellows.

Edit: Please note this is non-'blad specific advice. Depending on the 'auto' nature of the bellows there may be a preferred technique for your question 1.

Thanks for the answers!

 

[Focomatter]

I have used Hasselblads since 1972. You should never take a V system lens off the camera with an accessory that fits between the lens and camera body attached to the lens. Remove the lens first and then the accessory. This is the first rule of Hasselblad. You need to read up on how the lens shutter is triggered. The shutterless lenses use the same mechanism to run the automatic diaphragm so one needs to be mindful of them as well (in case you ever get one).

See post #5 in this thread: https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/cannot-remount-lens-on-my-hasselblad.81625/

 

[Sirius Glass]

I have used Hasselblads since 1972. You should never take a V system lens off the camera with an accessory that fits between the lens and camera body attached to the lens. Remove the lens first and then the accessory. This is the first rule of Hasselblad. You need to read up on how the lens shutter is triggered. The shutterless lenses use the same mechanism to run the automatic diaphragm so one needs to be mindful of them as well (in case you ever get one).

See post #5 in this thread: https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/cannot-remount-lens-on-my-hasselblad.81625/

Absolutely correct. If one deviates from that, the camera will jamb and while a screwdriver may release it, the jamb may need a expensive repair.