Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/4 AI-S and PB-4 bellows?

D Cox wrote:

Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

Ellis Vener wrote:

Is this combination usable? I know that if I use the PN-11 extension tube it will focus at 1:1 but has anyone used the PB-4 and 105mm combination to go to 2:1 or greater?

It goes to a bit more than 2:1 with the lens at its full extension. However, the combination is very heavy and cumbersome, so I've never used it that way. It might be usable on a heavy duty copy stand.

i have that support aspect taken care of: Gitzo 410C tripod and Benro S8fluid video head or Foba ASMIA (it’s a very heavy duty double tilt and panning head built to support 8x10 Sinar P series cameras)

If so which camera body did you use and were the results acceptable?

The 105mm EL-Nikkor enlarger lens is much lighter and more practical. You would need some tubes to replace the focussing extension of the AI-S.

oh, good idea. I will check it out.

There is also a 135mm EL-Nikkor if you want a longer working distance. Above that focal length, the EL-Nikkors have special threads and are not easily adapted.

Another PB-4 question: How useful do you find the swing and shift movement at 1:1 or greater magnification?

They are not useful, in my experience, because they go the wrong way. You really need a tilt, not a swing.

with the ASMIA head I just tilt the camera platform to the side

Overall, however, the PB-4 is a very useful and beautifully made piece of equipment.

i agree. I also have a PB-6 bellows

If you want more movements, look at the Cambo Actus.

https://www.cambo.com/en/actus-series/

Or attach your digital camera to the back of a studio monorail camera such as a Sinar.

Years ago (2003- 2005) I tried the predecessor to the Actus and an adapter for a DSLR which used Rodenstock Digital lenses. I also tried a system an English or South African photographer made. I forget what it was called but you that mounted a Canon EOS camera like a 1DS Mark II or III directly to the rear standard bearer of a Sinar P or C camera in place of the ground-glass frame. The second part of the kit was a modified Sinar bellows with an EOS lens mount on the back end.The lenses I used were standard (but high quality) 4x5 view camera lenses. Sadly large format lenses did not have high enough resolution for small format cameras. The depth of the camera’s throat limited the range of movements too.

A lot depends on what you want to photograph.

Absolutely.