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Valued Member
United States
221 Posts |
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Pillar Of The Community
United States
1044 Posts |
The Spiratone is "OK". I have several I picked up over the years and their build quality and function is decent. But that price is bit too high. I would not spend more than $40 for a MacroBel on its own without adapters, etc. An advantage it has over the other two is that adapters for camera and lens are easy to come by.
The "Macro Fold" bellows has pretty poor build quality. It's probably OK for your first bellows but you will replace it quickly. Advantage it has is no need for EOS adapter for camera side. But lens adapters on other side are more difficult to come by. Personally I would recommend avoiding this one.
The Canon FL is a fine piece of machinery. You'll need an FD/FL to EOS adapter (easy to find but not cheap) for camera side. For lens side it's more difficult and you'll need to adapt to your particular lens. I'd recommend a FD/FL to Nikon lens adapter, and from there you can find Nikon to any other lens fairly easily. Of the three bellows, this is what I'd recommend. Make sure you check that the delrin bearings are not broken, and send the bellows back if they are.
Ray
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Valued Member
United States
221 Posts |
Thanks for the advice Ray. I think I will just watch the topic here for future recommondations. I'm in no hurry. Buy the way, I sure enjoy reading and appreciate the information everyone provides here.
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Moderator
United States
12511 Posts |
Wait for Ray - who watches bellows on eBay like I watch 1921 Morgans - to come up with another Vivitar Triple Track. Then leap immediately.
The best thing about a bicycle is that it uses no gasoline, therefore the chance of fiery death is greatly reduced.
First Catman, then Gary Burke and now Bigg Fredd - there's one heck of a coin club in Heaven.
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Pillar Of The Community
United States
723 Posts |
Ssuperdave,
I am waiting for another Vivitar Triple Track at which time I plan on buying.
I am seeing a lot of talk here about adapters. Is it possible to get an adapter and use Nikon, Pentax,or Minolta lenses
directly with my Canon 450D? Or, are the adapters purely to make the bellows fit properly?
Thanks - Kenscott
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Moderator
United States
12511 Posts |
Quote:
I am seeing a lot of talk here about adapters. Is it possible to get an adapter and use Nikon, Pentax,or Minolta lenses
directly with my Canon 450D? Or, are the adapters purely to make the bellows fit properly? http://fotodioxpro.com/index.php/Knock yourself out, man.  If they don't have it, somebody else does - just be prepared to likely lose electronic controls like autofocus.
The best thing about a bicycle is that it uses no gasoline, therefore the chance of fiery death is greatly reduced.
First Catman, then Gary Burke and now Bigg Fredd - there's one heck of a coin club in Heaven.
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Pillar Of The Community
United States
723 Posts |
Yes, I figured I would lose some electronic controls once I went outside the propriety lenses.
The reason I was asking is that I am seeing some older, nice macro lenses locally that I could pick up
rather cheep. I was wondering about an adapter to use some of these nicer, older lenses while doing some
inside shooting.
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Valued Member
United States
342 Posts |
I have a Pentax Autobellows with M42 mounts. This kind of bellows is VERY flexible for adaptability for Canon shooting (and the adaptors are inexpensive). I was patient and picked one up for around $80 or thereabouts on eBay (I don't remember exactly). It is a very high quality piece of equipment (solid feel), but you just have to make sure the little plastic track dovetail "bearings" are not cracked. If a seller has good pics, or if it is stated that it is New in Box then you're safe. I couldn't be happier with my bellows -- I took the advice of Ray!  |
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Pillar Of The Community
United States
1044 Posts |
You'll need to give some specific examples/descriptions of the lenses you want to use in order to get any advice.
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Pillar Of The Community
United States
1044 Posts |
The Pentax Auto Bellows are about the best you can get, if you can find one. They're smaller than the Canon or Nikon bellows...Ray
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Pillar Of The Community
United States
723 Posts |
Ray, Here is the Vivitar setup you mentioned earlier. I plan on bidding on it if you think the price range is still good. Also, what additional mounts would I need for my 450D? http://www.ebay.com/itm/32092718252...5197.c0.m619 |
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Pillar Of The Community
United States
1044 Posts |
Since it includes the macro stand and a useable lens, I'd go as high as $120 for that setup, so the price is still fine. The TA1 gives you a M42 mount on camera side, so you will just need a M42(F) to EOS(M) adapter. Since there is already an enlarging lens mounted, the setup must also include a T-mount to M39 adapter not described in the listing. These are usually $20-$30 on their own so this setup would be a super bargain at <$100...Ray
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Pillar Of The Community
United States
723 Posts |
Thanks for the input. I will keep this range in mind.
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Valued Member
United States
221 Posts |
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Pillar Of The Community
United States
1044 Posts |
Ham...both look excellent. I don't believe the FL bellows have delrin bearings to no worries there, but they may not operate as smoothly as the FD. Really FL vs FD makes no difference as you still need an adapter to get to EOS, Nikon, etc. The extra extension tubes on the FD are a big plus. Either will do a great job...Ray
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Posted 06/20/2012 9:12 pm
