Rack and Pinion to Fit Medium Format

VaryaV · Mar 17, 2010

Does anyone know of a rack and pinion set up for a medium format camera? I have searched without success for one or a company that makes them.

I use one quite frequently with my 35mm camera but the threads are too small to fit and I also need one that will support the weight of the M645 (a beast) when extended to the outer edge.

I know I can buy an auto bellows as an option but they are a bit pricey compared to 35mm and I would like other options before I go that route.

Thanks.

Ian Grant · Mar 17, 2010

I've never seen third part extension bellows for medium format cameras but I have seen cheap Mamiya 645 extension tubes.

There may have been a Pentacon/Practica 6 MF extension bellows and you can get adaptors to fit Pentacon 6 lenses on Mamiya 645's, not sure about the other way.

Ian

VaryaV · Mar 17, 2010

B & H had one for sale about a year ago and they were asking upwards in the area of 850$ for it, which I thought was a bit steep at the time - after using one for the OM2 I really love it and now I regret not picking it up for the 645. It's the only one I have seen.

Ian Grant · Mar 17, 2010

You may have to think outside the conventional box, unless you want to pay way over over the odds

For instance the whole focus/bellows part of a Durst M600/670 was being sold last year for MF macro work, you'd then use an enlarger lens as a macro, but then Schneider have sold Componon's as Macro lens for many years in shutters, you'd need to make a plate to attach to the Mamiya, but you'd have incredible versatility as the Durst bit would allow tilt.

An alternative is convert an old "cheap" metal 1/4 plate or 9x12 camera and again attach the Mamiya body to it, and use enlarger lenses. Both depend on a little bit of simple adaption, but nothing very difficult.

Unfortunately I threw away exactly what you need, the Durst bits when I moved to Turkey, I hadn't seen the Ebay advert then

These ideas aren't crazy, after all the Chinese make adaptors to fit Canon/Nikon dddddddddd cameras on the back of large format cameras

Ian

VaryaV · Mar 17, 2010

I think you may have something there. This is what I have in mind for the M645 or adapting something like it to fit. of course this one can't support the weight.

Ian Grant · Mar 17, 2010

Having looked at your images here on APUG I have a gist of what you are up to

I'm thinking simpler than that image, but more versatile in photographic ways. I'm back in the UK at the weekend and will put some ideas together for you, all parts easy to find.

Ian

VaryaV · Mar 17, 2010

That's awesome. Thank you so much, Ian.

ps. I do like the idea of a bellows attachment but I wouldn't know how to rig it up, a schematic of some sort would be perfect. CHEERS.

ic-racer · Mar 17, 2010

How much extension to you need? A medium format Horseman body may do what you want. Those sometimes go for as low as $200 or even less for a beater with no lens or back. These will give about 210mm of extension with a flat lensboard. Maybe more if you pull the back out.

BobD · Mar 17, 2010

VaryaV said:
Does anyone know of a rack and pinion set up for a medium format camera? I have searched without success for one or a company that makes them.

I use one quite frequently with my 35mm camera but the threads are too small to fit and I also need one that will support the weight of the M645 (a beast) when extended to the outer edge.

I know I can buy an auto bellows as an option but they are a bit pricey compared to 35mm and I would like other options before I go that route.

Thanks.

Do you mean a macro rail? If so, there are lots of them on eBay.

David A. Goldfarb · Mar 17, 2010

If you're looking for a macro rail for larger cameras, you want the Linhof macro rail, which is suitable for 4x5".

If you're looking for a macro bellows system, there were a few for the classic Bronicas. The Bellows II for the S2, S2a and with the right adapters the EC and EC-TL has full view camera movements on the front standard.

I think the best option, though, is just to use a medium format or 4x5" view camera with a rollfilm back. They're plentiful and available for whatever your budget happens to be.

VaryaV · Mar 18, 2010

ic-racer said:
How much extension to you need?

210mm would be ideal, that's what I have on my current rail.

If I can find a macro rail that will support 5 lbs I am all for it, the one I have posted above won't support that much. all of those I have seen on ebay are for 35mm. If you run across a link please post.

I am starting to lean towards what Ian and David have suggested for flexibility but I don't use LF (except for a Crown Graphic) and the schema is different.

John Koehrer · Mar 18, 2010

Take a look for Velbon macro rails. They should be heavy enough but only give about 5" fore & aft and 3" side to side. The rails are 10mm diameter and the top plate is 60mm square, bottom plate is 60 X 95mm it's gear driven with locks on each axis.

Q.G. · Mar 18, 2010

The Manfrotto thingies (i forget how they call them) work fine.
I use two of them as a 'cross table' with camera setups that weigh that much and more.

They are a bit on the slim side though, and if you put something that has a large 'footprint' on the, it's difficult to reach and use the controls.
And they cost a bit.

VaryaV · Mar 18, 2010

Thanks John and QC. I will definitely take a look.

David A. Goldfarb · Mar 19, 2010

I posted an image of the Linhof macro rail here--

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

That's the current version, which is less common than the older version that is usually tan with white knobs.

VaryaV · Mar 19, 2010

I like that a lot David. It may be exactly what I need.

I have also mounted mine to a copy stand but for what I am trying to do with it, it is pretty limited as I only get the tops of my toys heads.

Matus Kalisky · Mar 19, 2010

One option could be ne Novoflex product called Castel. It can be attached to a tripod head via arca style quick release system. It looks rather robust, but you would have to ask Novoflex about the specifications.

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