Camera Parts

Thanks for visiting our site!
Bellows Extension
Checkout Ebay Auctions For The Cheapest Prices

Check out Amazon:

Here are some more information for Bellows Extension:

When you take a head and shoulders portrait sometimes you move in close. If you use your zoom lens and fill the frame with only the face, you have gotten closer. When you fill the entire frame with a single eye you have entered the world of close-up photography. To go beyond that; to see details within the reflection of that eye, you have entered the world of macro photography. What someone considers "close" is in the eye of the beholder. (No pun intended.)

For years camera manufacturers have confused people when they advertise "macro", and in reality they deliver "Close focus". In most cases, when you use a Close Focus lens you can only get within 18 inches of your subject. When you use a close focus on a zoom lens, it may appear that you were closer than 18 inches; like a single human eye in your photo. But what happens when you start to photograph something that most eyes never see; the reflection within an eye for example? How close is too close?

If you photograph a butterfly peering over the edge of a flower, that would be an excellent use of a macro lens. But let's say you photograph the hair on the side of a butterfly's leg. Oh yes, it is possible, but the question that remains is why would you want to get that close? If you are an entomologist (one who studies insects) then you are entering the world of Micro Photography. If you are in medicine or several other fields there are very legitimate reasons for going beyond what the human eye can see.

Artistically however, there is a gray area that many photographers disagree on. If you are photographing an object so close that you can no longer tell what the original subject was, you are venturing into the area called Abstract photography. Abstract photography like abstract art often has no clearly defined subject, but leaves more to the viewers' imagination. It is meant to be experienced from the inside, not examined from the outside. At this point the original subject really doesn't matter; what does matter is the lines, curves, textures and colors and how they affect the viewer.

Personally; and remember I am speaking from a graphic arts background, if you are relying on just the basic elements of design you should be a painter not a photographer. There it is, I confess, I am a photographic snob. Viewers should be able to see the subject in a new way, but I draw the line when they don't know what the subject is.

Things like bellows and extension tubes will not work on the average digital camera today, however filters still will. Even if the lens you have is built in and has no threads on the end, you can still use close up filters to go further than you have before. One point worth mentioning is that filters are sharpest in the center and tend to get softer focus on the edges. If you like a narrow depth of field, that is not necessarily a problem, because it helps to isolate your subject against the background.

However if you want to get closer and sharp from edge to edge, you are going to need a high end digital camera that you can remove the lens from. This allows you to specifically use a Macro lens and or add the devises I mentioned above (bellows or extension tubes.) One advantage that digital cameras have in general is the high resolution. If you want an extreme close up, try an extreme blow up. If you have one of these new digital wonders that can make prints 64 inches x 48 inches, surely you can get a nice 8 x10 image by just enlarging a section of the original.

Depending on the equipment you have you can use any combination of these devises to get the results you want. Back in the military, I once had a captain that brought in a 110 negative (less than ¼ the size of a 35mm negative) and wanted a really big print. The photo lab printed a really sharp 3.5 x 5 inch print. I used an RB67 (the negative was almost as big as the print) and copied the print using extension tubes AND close-up filters. The end result was that this captain was able to use a 20 x 30 inch print as a training aid that he told everybody he shot from his little 110mm camera. In case you didn't already know; most 5x7 inch prints look bad coming from that size of camera. That's why it didn't last very long.

You can choose your options and accessories and decide just how close it too close for you. But remember this; no matter how close you shoot the elements of design still matter. You still need to have balance. You still need to be aware of leading lines. The rule of thirds is something for you to always keep in mind. Being a great photographer is not about the fancy equipment you have or how close you can shoot. Being a great photographer also means shooting subjects artistically.

This Article Written By: Tedric A. Garrison Cedar City, Utah

Award winning writer / photographer Tedric Garrison has 30 years experience in photography. As a Graphic Art Major, he has a unique perspective. His photo eBook "Your Creative Edge" (http://www.betterphototips.com/creativeedge.htm) proves that creativity CAN be taught.

Today, he shares his wealth of knowledge with the world, at: http://www.betterphototips.com

How Expansion Joint Systems Work

Expansion joint systems are an innovative alternative for pipes and pipelines. These joints can be used in the oil, paper, and petrochemical industries and in many others fields.

The diversity of expansion joints available for application is great. They are usually manufactured at standard dimensions and can reach from 1 to 200 inches in diameter; can withstand temperatures from minus 300 degrees F up to 4000 degrees F and can resist at full vacuum or 2000 psig.

The introduction of fabric expansion joints on the market completely revolutionized the way that engineers solve thermal expansion, corrosive and abrasive problems. These fabric joints can be used in different applications for turbines. With different fabric membranes and designs, extensions joints can easily be used for turbine exhaust applications (GTX). GTX are rather problematic applications that pose distinctive challenges concerning performance and resistance through time but which can now be more easily solved with the help of fabric joints.

Metal bellows are generally used in pipeline systems that connect pumps and vessels. The design of the folds in the metal bellow allows for greater axial, lateral, and angular movement. To increase the angular or lateral flexibility, ties, pivots and other trimmings can be added to a metal bellow. The life span of these devices is determined by the shape, material, degree to which the junction must be able to move, and of course, forces that are greater than the designed limits.

With the help of these bellows, flanged-end and fused-end expansion joints can be quite easily and quickly fabricated. Both universal and double expansion joints use two bellows.

Metal expansion joints are crucial components for pipeline technology. They are used to counterbalance length changes, which usually occur in pipelines from temperature changes. Besides this, they are capable of absorbing vibrations developed by pumps, engines, compressors or turbines. Depending on the situation, axial and lateral movement as well as angular movement can be compensated. Metal expansion joints offer a cost effective choice and enhance the productive life cycle of a pipeline system. Designed to last as long as the system; metal bellows reduce sealing problems and the large space needed with alternative expansion equipment.

Some of the most vital and complex categories of expansion joints manufactured are those used in FCCU (fluid catalytic cracking unit). The reason for the complexity is these expansion joints have to withstand extremely high temperatures (1400 degrees F) and pressures, extreme and aggressive environments and great movement conditions.

To ensure a good function of these systems, absolute attention and skill is mandatory in designing the bellows and hardware. All FCCU joints are specially designed for every application in which they are used because any failure during installation can be hazardous to personnel and extremely expensive to users. Accepted specifications offer the basis for the design of the bellows and joint hardware of the FCCU joints.

About the Author

For more information about Metal Expansion JointsandMetal Bellows Expansion Joints, visit Expansion Joint Systemsathttp://www.ejsus.com/.

Macro photography - bellows, extension tubes, etc.?

I'm looking to get into macro photography and would love to hear any advice regarding bellows, extension tubes, etc. I'm currently shooting with a Mamiya RB67, a 645 Pro-TL, a Nikon F4 and an FM2n. Any advice or recommendations (preferably specific to these camera systems) is greatly appreciated!

I would suggest building your system around your Nikon cameras - basically the F4 and FM2 will have the same lens mounts thus you can use either body, depending on which one is working best for you or which one has film in it, etc.

Here is the progression of magnification:

1) A dedicated macro lens. With something like a 50mm or 60mm lens, you can take very clear photos of small items, such as large bugs, flowers, etc. However, for really small things, the working distance becomes too close to be practical. This is why the longer lenses 105mm or even 200mm - so you don't have to get so close for the magnification you need. This opens up the possibilities for different kinds of lighting.

2) Extension tubes are a nice way to mount your macro lenses so that you can focus even closer, while retaining the metering capability of the camera. Usually they come in sets so that you have something like an 8mm, a 15mm and a 21mm extension tube, or something similar. This is nice because you can use one at a time or in combination.

3) Bellows are often used with specialized lenses so that you can get really close: 1:1 or even more magnification. They also offer the greatest control over your magnification by allowing you to carefully adjust the extension.

I would personally start with a good macro lens and a set of extension tubes, because you'll have plenty of creative possibilities and it won't break the bank. In fact, that's what I did some years ago with my Olympus OM4, and I had a great time photographing leaves, flowers, etc. and I learned a lot about lighting for macro subjects.

What's News for April 29, 2010
Get your non-profit organization’s fundraisers and other events in the Daily Progress’s What’s News calendar free of charge by e-mailing event information to living@jacksonvilleprogress.com. The newspaper reserves the right to edit any submission for space and content

Thanks for visiting!