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Heritage Cameras Description

An interesting bellows unit for powerful macro close ups using Nikon F or AI cameras and lenses, usable on many AF or digital cameras with manual lenses (see below)

Macro bellows for Nikon with 52-175mm extension
Up to 3.5x magnification with 50mm standard lens
Built-in focusing rail with standard 1/4" tripod socket
Solid, metal construction, very well made in Japan
For Nikon F mount SLRs, fits many AF and DSLRs
For Nikon F AI AIS AF AFD & independent lenses
NOT for Nikkor AFG or IX (no aperture rings)
NOT for any digital lenses (no aperture rings)
Excellent+++ (8.5/10), supplied with original box

Bellows are one of the best ways of taking really close up shots, with much higher magnification than extension tubes, close up lenses or even dedicated macro lenses. They fit simply between the body and lens, extending the latter for medium to extreme close ups. This Optomax Inter Changeable Mount Bellows 7 with Focusing Rack IMB-81M (NI) can be used on many Nikon F, AI and AF 35mm film SLR cameras, plus selected Nikon DSLRs (not all models provide exposure metering). It accepts Nikon pre-AI, AI, AIS, AF and AFD lenses (but NOT any AFG, DX, IX or other types with no aperture ring). The bellows can also be used on many other digital models with extra adapters (not included) and the same Nikon lenses – see the Compatibility section for a full list.

This unit offers extensions from around 52-175mm, for magnification ratios from just over 1x to 3.5x life size with a 50mm standard lens. This is much more powerful than extension tubes (usually 1x), macro lenses (0.5x or 1x) and macro zooms (usually 0.2x to 0.5x). At these magnifications, you can fill the frame with something as small as an insect, a small detail of a flower or just part of a stamp or coin. Other focal lengths are also usable – moderate wide angles give closer focusing and higher magnification, while telephotos give lower magnification, but with longer and more manageable working distances. Even a 135mm lens can be focused to 1x (life size).

Compatible with metered manual and aperture priority auto exposure modes on many manual focus, some AF and digital cameras (see below). This description is copyright © Heritage Cameras. Extra exposure is required as you get closer, and TTL metering (daylight or flash) will take care of this automatically. Manual diaphragm operation is used with stopped down metering. Manual focusing is used, of course.

To adjust extension the bellows has a large geared knob on one side and a locking knob on the other, plus a metric scale. The base has a standard 1/4-inch tripod socket, and can also be moved along its own track with geared knob and locking screw. This is by far the best way to focus macro and other close up shots. Using the single focus adjustment on most bellows isn't ideal, as often the magnification and distance change together, and each affects the other...

The front and rear Nikon bayonet mounts are removable, and could be swapped for other fittings (see below). They can be rotated and locked to ensure that the bellows and lens line up squarely, or for portrait format (vertical) shots. This also makes the bellows easier to fit to cameras with protruding and/or overhanging grips or other parts, though some types may still not fit. There is a mounting rail and slot with locking screw provided at the front for a special slide copier attachment (not included). This unit is very solidly made (in Japan) with mostly metal construction, black paintwork, plastic knobs, chrome controls and lens mounts with a high standard of fit and finish. It measures around 195x120x90mm (7.7x4.7x3.6"), and weighs approximately 530g (18.6oz).

An excellent option for many Nikon users and collectors wanting to get great close up shots.

Compatibility

This bellows unit will fit and work on the majority of Nikon and Nikon-mount SLR cameras, with various levels of functionality as follows:

Camera Compatibility
It fits Nikon AI manual focus cameras including the FM, FM2, FM3A, FE, FE2, EL2, FA, FM10, FE10, EM, FG, FG-20, F-301, F-601M, F2A, F2AS, F3, F3HP and Nikkormat FT3. It fits older (pre-AI) Nikon cameras such as the F, FT, FTn, F2, F2S, F2SB and Nikkormat FT, FTn, FT2, EL and ELW.

It fits many AF SLRs including the Nikon F-501, F-601, F-801, F70, F90, F90x, F100, F3AF, F4, F5 and F6, the digital D1, D1H, D1X, D2H, D2HS, D2X, D2Xs, D3, D3X, D3S, D4, D4S, D5, D6, D200, D300, D300s, D500, D600, D610, D700, D750, D780, D800, D810, D850, D7000, D7100, D7200 and Df.

Many modern Nikon SLR cameras don't support metering with manual lenses. This includes models such as the Nikon F-401 series, F50, F55, F60, F65, F75 and F80, APS Pronea S and 600i, or the digital Nikon D40, D40X, D50, D60, D70, D70s, D80, D90, D100, D3000, D3100, D3200, D3300, D5000, D5100, D5200, D5300 and D7500. Even with these cameras, the bellows will fit, but you'll have to work out the exposure yourself (no metering). It's NOT compatible with Nikon 1 or Z series mirrorless cameras or lenses.

IMPORTANT – LENS COMPATIBILITY
The bellows unit accepts many lenses with the Nikon F bayonet mount, which has been used on most of the company's SLR cameras since 1959. You can use pre-AI (non-AI), AI, AIS, AF and AFD types, plus independent lenses in these fittings. Lenses with no aperture rings such as Nikkor AFG, IX, DX Nikkor types and their independent equivalents will fit, but are effectively unusable as there's no way of controlling the aperture setting. NOT compatible with Nikkor 1 lenses for the 1 series digital compact system cameras.

Adaptable to other cameras
Nikon fit lenses and accessories can also be used on some other makes of film and digital cameras with a suitable adapter (not included). These are available for most Canon EOS 35mm, APS and digital SLRs, EOS M and R, Olympus, Panasonic and Leica FourThirds (4/3) and Micro Four Thirds, Fujifilm X, Leica M (live view), Nikon 1 and Z, Panasonic S, Ricoh GXR Mount A12, Pentax Q, Samsung NX and Sony NEX or E-Mount. On most models they operate with manual focus and diaphragm, with stopped down metering in manual and aperture priority auto exposure modes. NOTE: In all cases the bellows will only accept Nikon F fitting lenses as described above.

Interchangeable Mounts
The front and rear bayonet mounts on this bellows unit can be removed, and alternatives were available for other camera systems (not included). Fittings made at the time included M42 screw, Canon FL/FD, Contax/Yashica, Konica AR, Minolta SR, Nikon F, Olympus OM and Pentax K, though it will be hard to locate these now. You could even mix-and match mounts to use cameras from one system and lenses from another.

Please contact us before buying if you have any questions about compatibility with your equipment. E&OE. Text and images are copyright © Heritage Cameras 2024, and may not be used without permission.