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MACROPHOTOGRAPHY TOOLS, TIPS & TECHNIQUES FOR DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHERS 2012
Variable length extension tube attached to 75-150 zoom lens on a 35 mm Olympus OM-4 film camera.
Bellows for High Magnification and Studio Work
Bellows are "flexible" extension tubes. Their main advantage is that they permit even greater extension
then tubes, and the amount of extension can be controlled precisely. Bellows can be used in the field
with a tripod, but they are cumbersome to carry around and their accordion-like leather is easily
damaged. A set of bellows is also expensive, costing from $300 to over $1000. Some bellows also include
a reversing lens adapter.
Good bellows units include a focusing rail because at high magnification, focusing is achieved by moving
the bellows and lens forward or backward. Many bellows units operate in manual mode, which means
that you will have to set and close the lens aperture just before shooting. Automatic bellows usually
come with a double cable release that closes the aperture before you expose. An automatic set of
bellows allows you to focus with the lens aperture wide open.
The magnification achieved with bellows depends on the lens that you place in front of the unit, but
magnifications from 1X to 20X are possible. Bellows are for advanced photographers that want to
achieve high magnification. They are best suited for working indoors in a studio. At magnifications of
more than 3X or 4X even the slightest breeze can move your subjects in and out of focus. Focusing is
done by moving the camera on the rail and this requires a very steady tripod and usually a flash due to
light fall off with the added extension. Don’t forget you also need a cooperative subject that will hold
absolutely still; at magnifications over 5X, an ant will walk out of your field of view in less than a second!
Robert Berdan | 18