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GXR M with bellows

ayewing

ayewing

New Member
I was originally attracted to the GXR by the M mount which allows me to use my Leica lenses in a new way. The Leica M is a wonderful camera but it has the usual rangefinder limitations when it comes to macro photography. I have a Visoflex and bellows to get round this problem and it works well.

I realised that I could use the bellows without any need for the visoflex if used with the GXR M.

This is the setup - GXR with M mount, Leica BellowsII and Leica Elmar 65mm.
 

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Wow! Incredible! These really show what that little GXR is capable of! In capable hands, of course :!:
 
This inspired me to buy one at ebay myself. However, it seems to be a bellows 1... and without a lens. Let's see whether it will fit my GXR... I will try it with M39 lenses from enlargers.
Best regards, Gerd
 
Hello Gerd,
Leica does not make things easy as different lenses require different adapters. I had already gone through the process of locating the necessary bits and pieces with my setup of Visoflex III, Bellows II, Visoflex lenses and M9 camera. You might find this link useful http://elshaw.tripod.com/Visoflex/UFB.html. It gives quite a lot of information on the adapters needed for different lenses.

An alternative approach is to use a B.P.M. Universal Bellows Unit. This is no longer made but fairly easily obtainable on eBay. It is not as substantially engineered as the Leica bellows but I used one very satisfactorily with my Pentax gear. You can still get almost any sort of adapter for it from SRB-Griturn who if they do not have the one you want will make a suitable adapter for you. http://www.srb-griturn.com/camera-adaptors-306-c.asp. Of course you have to use manual lenses with aperture rings - the modern ones with electronic control of the diaphragm do not work.

I obtain a certain perverse satisfaction from persuading old photographic equipment to work with modern digital technology. There are easier ways of doing macro photography but they are not as much fun.
 
Hella ayewing,
Thank you for the information, the links, and the warnings. So I am prepared...
At least, I have the option to return the bellows in the case of severe issues.
I will take a closer look at all this next week, when I will have the bellows.
Thanks & best regards, Gerd
 
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