Pentax *ist DS and bellows

Hi, I'm considering acquiring a bellows unit to give me extra flexability for occasional macro work. As far as I can tell the ideal unit in terms of construction quality would be the 'Auto Bellows A'. However I've read that the pentaprism overhang on the DS might make coupling with the bellows awkward. I'd appreciate comments from anyone with direct experience of using bellows on a DS. A cheaper alternative to the Auto Bellows A woould be an M42 unit, of which there appear to be many available secondhand.

Thanks,
Rowdy

Hi Rowdy

I have the bellows unit 'K', fits my D ok, you have to remove the mount fitting from the bellows unit (it is held in with a small thumb screw, looks a bit like an inside out T mount) and assemble this to the camera body then attatch back to the bellows and lock using the thumb screw, works a treat. I think the A version is identcal physically.

One thing that I miss is the screw thread on the camera shutter release to enable the use of the double shutter release cables, after you have set up the shot you have to remember and press the shutter release cable to close down to the working aperture before you press the camera remote shutter release.

I'ts good fun though.

I used my bellows 'K' unit on my DS once and I don't remember any issues with it, except that noted above.

I was bitterly disappointed however to discover that the bellows can not be used with my MZ-S. The camera body is too deep and it fouls on the bellows body.

I have been very tempted to take an angle grinder to the bellows and remove enough metal from the offending part for it to fit, but I can't bring myself to do it.

Hi,

how about using a short extention tube between body and bellows, and compensating for the length with the bellows?

Cheers

Liam

That's gotta be much too simple . . . but I can't think why it wouldn't work.

Thanks Liam, I'll try it out next week and see what happens.