Contax 645 Auto Bellows

[jimcutlet]

I'm looking to add tilt/swing to my C645 setup for tabletop work (and possibly architecture distance) - but not necessarily limit myself to the macro world.
Has anyone any experience with the Contax 645 Auto Bellows that could shed light on this?
Struggling to find any information out there if any lens is capable of focusing at infinity still

Thank you!

 

[Doppler9000]

The bellows move the lens forward so none of the standard lenses will reach infinity with the bellows in place.
So, unless Contax made some specific short-barreled or bellows lenses, you will give up infinity focus with the auto bellows.

 

[jimcutlet]

thank you - was hoping to find some information on the limitations, specifically the flange distance with the bellows closed so I can at least get an estimate of where maximum focus ends

 

[Doppler9000]

From the front of the lens tube to the rear flange looks to be at least 60-70mm, maybe more. This means that you will be around 1X or higher with lenses equal to this or shorter, in focal length.

The utility of the potential set up depends on the size of your subjects.

 

[itsdoable]

I don't believe Contax ever made a short barrel lens for the bellows, so you will only get macro (to better than 1:1) with the 4/120, with a further limit depending on the amount of shift and tilt applied.

You can adapted any short barrel, LF or enlarger lens to it, some will reach infinity and give you full shift and tilt. But you waste the "auto" part of the bellows unit. I don't have this system, but I have adapted lenses to Tilt/Shift bellows units on other systems.