Novoflex Photographic Accessories - Macro

[Roberto]

Hi

Does anyone have any experience with Novoflex Macro accessories http://www.novoflex.com/en/home/

I am particularly interested in their automatic bellow system.

Thanks in advance!

[jab2]

Not current equipment, but have, and used, a Novoflex extension bellows and slide copying attachment in Minolta MD. Extremely good engineering and built quality then, so I expect the same now as the photo of the current EOS bellows look like the same design, although with the electronic contacts. I contacted Novoflex about converting my MD to an EOS mount, even if it stays manual, and got a prompt and thorough explanation why it would be cheaper to just buy a new EOS bellows.

For macro something to look at also is the EOS-Retro adapter.

Thus my experience was good quality and service, albeit a bit on the expensive side.

If I had the money to burn I would get myself the Castel-Q focusing rack to use with the 17mmTS/E for shifting the body instead of the lens.

[Roberto]

Thanks for the very quick response Cobus!

Would I be able to attach the Canon 180mm f/3.5L macro lens onto the EOS Automatic Bellows and DSLR?

Regarding the EOS-Retro, by attaching a lens backwards almost seems like a DIY job if you know what I mean, would this yield as good results as bellows, auto or manual?

Please pardon my ignorance as I'm new to all of this.

[Roberto]

To give you a better understanding, these are the type of images I would like to try and achieve. Thanks again!

[jab2]

Any EOS lens will attach to the Novoflex EOS bellows, macros include. What the gain for macros will be is debatable. The bellows change the distance between the lens and camera, thus reducing the minimum focus distance. In macro lenses, which already have a very short min focal distance the gain to be had before the subject is touching the front element may not be much.

Never been a user of reverse lenses, I cannot comment first-hand on the quality. If I look at some macro photographers' work on the web, I assume quality greatly depend on the lens, whether reversed or normal. The Novoflex Retro-adapter is not cheap, so I do not believe lens reversal to give the usual DIY associated lower quality , even if the idea originated with DIY macro photographers. But that is only my assumption from what I have seen on the web.

I was hoping the more experience macro guys here on ODP would also add their view, but it seems they are out chasing bugs.

[Roberto]

Thanks for all the help Cobus, really appreciate it!

I'm starting to leaning towards the EOS auto bellows but will pop this guy I just found on the net http://www.morfa.se/flogr/index.php http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnhallmen/ an email as well. I find his work quite inspirational and happen to notice that he uses Novoflex bellows but the manual type.

Thanks again!

[jab2]

Once you have sorted that out, the next barrier is lighting. Looking at John Hallmen's photos they have a nice 3D appearance, with clearly visible depth. This is not something that one get with full straight on lighting.

[jab2]

OK, Roberto, you have made me unpack that bellows again. Since the "back focus distance" (not sure if it is the correct term) on Minolta is different to Canon, MD lenses mounted on EOS mounts does not focus to infinity. For macro with a bellows I thought maybe not a problem, so I started looking for an adapter. Found this Fotodiox adapter on Amazon. It contains a corrective lens, but this is removable.

Ordered it and received it promptly, like all my other Amazon orders. Now I can use my bellows to start copying my slides.

[Roberto]

Glad I got the fire going again for you there Cobus

I've been so busy lately I haven't had a moment to order but when stock does arrive I'll be sure to post some samples.