Camera accessories
Nikon PB-5 Bellows User manual
User manual for Nikon PB-5 Bellows. 27 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
27 pagesEnglish2.8 MB PDF
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Document details
- Brand
- Nikon
- Model / document
- Nikon PB-5 Bellows
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 27
- File size
- 2.8 MB
- Category
- Camera accessories
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 3 · Read text
NOMENCTATURE
White indicator dot Lens panel
Lens release button
Camera panel locking knob
Lens panel locking knob Lens panel sliding knob
Slide-copying adapter locking knob Sl ide-copy i n g adapter socket
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Red indicator dot
Camera panel
Camera panel sliding knob
Tripod head
Tripod headView original page 4Page 5 · Read text
CONTENTS
Foreword ....5
Mountingthe bellowson thecamera . . . . . . 6
Mountingthelens ......8
Choosingalens ......9
Focusing .. . 10
Determining the reproduction ratio . . 12
Determining exposure ..14
With built-in TTL meter. . . . 14
When non-TTL meter is used . . . . 14
Accessories... ...16
Reproduction ratios obtainable with PB-5 . . 18
Reproduction ratios at different bellows
extensions ....20
Exposure factors
Features/specifications.. ....26
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FOREWORD
The PB-5 Bellows Focusing Attachment is a simplified
version of the top-of-line PB-4 model. The bellows
extends from 43 to 185mm for reproduction ratios i
ranging from 1:1.2 to 3.6X with the 50mm f 12lens
(1.6X to 4.4X when the lens is mounted in reverse
using the accessory BR-2 ring). The lens panel and
camera panel move independently for easy focusing
and operating convenience. And the camera body can
be rotated 90o for horizontat or vertical format
pictures at any position on the rails.
The PB-5 accepts accessory slide copying adapters
PS-5 and PS-4.
JView original page 6Page 7 · Read text
MOUNTING THE BELLOWS ON THE CAMERA
Loosen the locking knob on the camera panel and slide
it back on the rails as far as it will go. Position the
PB-5 in the camera's bayonet mount, lining up the red
dot on the camera panel of the PB-5 with the black dot
on the camera. Twist counterclockwise until it clicks into
place.
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The camera body can be rotated 90" for horizontal or vertical format photos at any position on the rails. Press the spring catch on the camera panel and turn the camera body counterclockwise until it clicks into place. To remove, depress the lens release button on the camera and twist the PB-5 clockwise. Note: When used in the vertical position, the camera can be removed from the PB-5 in the normal manner regardless of the camera's position on the rails.View original page 8
Page 10 · Read text
Choosing a Lens any Nikkor lens mounted on the PB-5 in either normal Though any of the Nikkor lenses from 24 to 300mm can or reverse position and recommended lens apertures for be used with the PB-5, the Nikkor Auto 50mm f 12 and the best results. the Bellows-Nikkor 105mm fl4 are most commonly used. For critical closeups, the Micro-Nikkor-P Auto 55mm f 13.5 is an excellent choice. For best results at reproduction ratios greater than 1:1, reverse the lens in its mount so that its front faces the film and its back is to the subject. lf the bellows extension remains the same, the shorter the focal length of the lens used, the greater the repro- duction ratio. lf reproduction ratio remains the same, increasing the focal length increases the lens-to-subiect distance. When mounted in reverse position, short and normal focal length lenses give larger reproduction ratios than when they are mounted in normal position. The opposite is true for long lenses. At the maximum aperture of the lens, depth of field is minimized and some marginal loss of image definition and illumination is likely to occur. Therefore the lens is usually focused at its maximum aperture, since this gives the brightest possible image on the focusing screen, then stopped down for making the exposure. However, the smallest aperture is not usually used either since this also results in image deterioration. The tables on pages 18 and 19 show the range of reproduction ratios possible withView original page 10
Page 11 · Read text
FOCUSING
When the PB-5 is mounted between the camera and the An alternate method is to lock the lens panel in place at
lens, the automatic diaphragm control of the Nikkor the extreme front end of the rails and move the camera
Auto lens is lost. To focus on the brightest possible panel backward until the subject is in focus. This method
image on the focusing screen, open up the lens to its is faster, since lens-to-subject distance remains unchanged.
maximum aperture by turning the aperture ring counter- f t is also useful when the lens must be brought very
clockwise as far as it will go. However, if the accessory close to the subject to focus sharply.
Extension Ring E2 is attached to the lens,semi-automatic Close-ups and macrophotography pose several problems
diaphragm control is possible. not encountered in general photography. One of these is
The PB-5 has two knurled knobs on the left hand side to sensitivity to vibration: the magnification of the image
control the back-and-forth movement of the camera on the film makes even slight image displacement promi-
panel or lens panel. The locking knobs on the right hand nent and results in a blurred image. For best results,
side are used to lock the assembly securely when focusing mount the entire set-up on a rigid tripod or support,
is completed. An additional knob located at the front end and use a cable release to trip the shutter.
of the PB-5 is used to clamp the slide copyingadapter in An unbalanced set-up may result in vibration. To avoid
place. this, the PB-5 has an extra tripod socket beneath the
Focusingcan be done in two ways. First, lock the camera lens panel so that the set-up can be balanced on a tripod
panel in place by tightening the locking knob on the even when a long lens is used or when the set-up is
right side. Then turn the knurled knob on the left side to shifted forward.
move the lens panel back and forth along the rails until Note: Type B, E or M focusing screen is recommended when the
the subject is in sharp focus. Retighten the locking knob PB-5 is used with the Nikon F or F2, since the central range-
to lock the lens panel in position especially when the finder area of the standard Type A screen blacks out at
PB-5 is used in the vertical position. apertures smaller than f 14.5. lf the Nikkormat is used, focus on
the matte area surrounding the central focusing circle.
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10View original page 11Page 13 · Read text
DETERMINING THE REPRODUCTION RATIO
Reproduction ratio is the ratio of the image size recorded By reversing the above procedure, the reproduction ratio
on film to the actual size of the subject. At life-size can be predetermined. After consulting the table, adfust
magnification, for example, it is 1 : 1. Furthermore, the the PB-5's camera and lens panels to give the correct
subject and image sizes are proportional to their amount of bellows extension for the desired reproduction
respective distances from the lens. lf lens-to-film distance ratio" Then focus by moving the subject or move the
increases, lens-to-subject distance decreases. entire assembly back and forth until the subject is in
You can find out the reproduction ratio for a particuiar sharp focus.
lens-to-film distance using the PB-5's millimeter scale Another simple method of determining reproduction
engraved on the rail. The scale can also be used to ratio is by using the scale on the opposite page. Place the
pre-adjust the bellows to give a desired reproduction ratio. scale in the same plane as the subject, look through the
To determine the reproduction ratio, set the distance camera viewfinder and read off the length of the area
scale on the lens being used at infinity. Focus on the which is'in sharp focus. Divide this number into 36 or 24
subject, then read off the numbers on the scale which (depending on whether the camera is used in the horizon-
appear next to the outer edges of the camera panel and tal or vertical position). The result will be the reproduc-
lens panel. Subtract the smaller number from the larger tion ratio. For example, if the horizontal scale image
one to find the actual bellows extension in mm and which is in focus is 18mm in length, the reproduction
consult the table on pages 20 and 21 to find the reproduc- ratio will be 36118 = 2X. For quick reference use the
tion ratio for the lens in use at that amount of bellows table on the opposite page to find the reproduction ratio
extension. For example, if the outer edge of the lens at any scale coverage.
panel is at 140mm and the outer edge of the camera
panel is at 44mm, the bellows extension equals 140 - Note: When using a Nikkormat camera, the reproduction ratio44= 96mm. lf the lens used is the 50mm f/2 mounted in obtained by this method must be multiplied by 0.9 owing to its
reverse position, the table gives 2.5X as the reproduction smaller viewfinder area.
ratio.
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DETERMINING EXPOSURE
With built-in TTL meter
The insertion of the PB-5 between the lens and the
camera breaks the linkage of the lens diaphragm to the
thru-the-lens meters of the Photomic-series finders or
Nikkormat cameras. However, these meters can still be
used to measure exposure via the stop-down method.
With the Photomic firiders, first push the coupling pin up
into the Photomic finder with a coin or similar object.
With the Nikkormat FTsr or the Nikkormat EL camera,
push the camera's coupling pin to the right as far as it
will go. Mount the lens/bellows assembly on the camera
Nikon F or F2-series Nikkormat cameras and switch on the meter in the usual way. The next
cameras procedure for each camera is as follows:
Nikon F2 Photomic and Nikkormat FTN cameras
Select the desired shutter speed and stop down the lens
manually until the meter needle in the viewfinder is
centered.
Nikon F2S Photomic camera
Select the desired shutter speed and stop down the lens
manually until the two signal lights glow.
Nikkormat EL camera
Set the shutter speed dial at "A" (Automatic) and turn
the aperture ring until the black needle in the viewfinder
indicates a shutter speed appropriate to the subject.
When non-TTL meter is used
www.butkus.uslf a separate light meter is used, exposure compensation
is necessary at reproduction ratios greater than 1 : 10.
14View original page 15Page 16 · Read text
a
The graphs on pages 22to 25 show exposure factors and
exposure corrections in f-stops for any Nikkor lens at
any aperture. Readjust the lens diaphragm according to
the indicated numbers.
To calculate exposure compensation in terms of shutter
speed rather than f-stops find the exposure factor from
the graphs and multiply it by the exposure time. For
example, if normal exposure at 1 : 1 reproduction ratio
with the 50mm f 12is 1/8 second, the corrected exposure
will be 1/8 multiplied by 4, or 112 second.
Note: When using a lens of retrofocus or telephoto type, the
difference in pupillary magnification must be taken into account
to establish the correct exposure. The pupillary magnification is
the ratio of the exit pupil diameter to that of the entrance pupil.
The folf owing formula is used to calculate the exposure factor
when a retrofocus or telephoto type lens is used in normal
position:
Exposure factor = (1 + Mlv12
(where V = pupillary magnification) When the lens is in reverse position: 9m,m,M'W 2nnp Exposure factor = 1lv2 (t + vnn;2 7&46 !:t"k' 6s50t To avoid complicated calculations, use the graphs on pages 22 to I;ornt*r"lW'
25 to determine correct exposure in aperture values. The graphs
are computed to take into account the pupillary magnification.View original page 16Page 17 · Read text
ACCESSORTES
Eyepiece Magnifier 6X Focusing Finder
Fits the threaded eyepiece of the Thisfinder magnifies the entire viewing
Nikon F or F2, Nikkormat or Photomic- field six times for pinpoint focusing in
series finder. Magnifies the central closeups, macrophotography and other
finder area 2X for greater accuracy in appf ications where critical focusing is
viewing and focusing. essential. Eyesight adjustment from -5
Right-Angle Viewing Attachment to +3 diopters is possible.
Screws into the threaded eyepiece of the
Nikon F or F2,Nikkormat or Photomic-
series finder and offers the same ad-
vantages as the waist-level finder'
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Repro-Copy Outfit PF-2 Extension Ring Set K
Sturdy and convenient set-up for copy- Consists of five rings used in various
ing documents, books and other small combinations between the PB-5 and
objects which are more or less flat. lens to provide extra extensions ranging
from 5.8 to 46.6mm.
Extension Ring E2
Used with the PB-5 to increase lens-to-
film distance. Offers semi-automatic
diaphragm control for easier focusing
and composing and also serves as a
lens hood.
Slide Copying Adapters PS-4 & PS-5
Both attach to the front of the PB-5
for duplicating 35mm transparencies.
The PS-4 (shown below) provides hori-
zontal and vertical shifts which facili-
tate cropping.
17View original page 18Page 21 · Read text
REPRODUCTION RATIOS AT DIFFERENT BETLOWS EXTENSIONS
www.butkus.usView original page 21From the M. Butkus archive. Original publisher and archive notices are retained.
Check the model and edition against your equipment.
PDF verified 2026-10-10.