A bellows unit for powerful macro photography with many classic Exakta and Topcon SLR cameras and lenses (and adaptable to some others - see below)

• Macro (close up) bellows
• 40mm to 135mm extension
• 2.7x macro with 50mm lens
• Solid, metal construction
• For Exakta VX cameras
• For most Exa cameras
• For Topcon RE cameras
• For Topcon Super D, DM
• Includes 35mm slide copier

This is a macro bellows unit for extra close focusing, up to around 2.7x life size magnification. It fits many of the classic East German Exakta and Exa bayonet mount SLR cameras, several Topcon models which shared the same mount, and can be adapted to some modern cameras (see the Compatibility section below for a full list). It's in good condition, and supplied with an extra attachment for copying 35mm slides.

Bellows are one of the best ways of taking really close up shots, with much higher magnification than extension tubes, close up lenses or even dedicated macro lenses. They fit simply between the body and lens, extending the latter for medium to extreme close ups. This model offers variable extension from around 40mm to 135mm, for magnification ratios of between 0.8x (1:1.25) and 2.7x life size (2.7:1) with a 50mm standard lens. This is much more powerful than extension tubes (usually 1:1), macro lenses (1:1 or 1:2) and macro zooms (usually 1:3 to 1:5). At these magnifications, you can fill the frame with something as small as 9x13mm (0.4x0.6 inches) such as an insect, a small detail of a flower or just part of a stamp. Other focal lengths are also usable - wide angles give closer focusing and higher magnification, while telephotos give lower magnification, but with longer and more manageable working distances. Even a 135mm lens can be focused to 1:1 (life size).

Manual diaphragm operation is required, and extra exposure is necessary as you get closer. Stopped down TTL metering will take care of this automatically on suitable cameras. On Exakta cameras, a double cable release (not included) can be used for auto diaphragm operation, or you can stop the lens down manually using the button on the lens.

There's a large focusing knob on one side, and a locking knob on the other. The base has a standard 1/4-inch tripod socket at the rear - you get better balance using this than the one on the camera. This independent M.A.B Optica unit is solidly made (in Japan), but compact and lightweight at only 285g. Extensions are marked on one side of the bellows, and magnification factors (for a 55mm lens) on the other.

Also supplied is the original slide copier attachment, which clamps onto the front of the bellows. It accepts mounted 35mm transparencies, and you can copy anything from full frame to a small section in the centre of the image, depending on the extension and the focal length of your lens. An extra bellows at the rear of the copier can be attached to the front of the lens to reduce extraneous light and increase contrast (an extra Series 7 adapter is required for your filter size - not included).

An excellent macro accessory for Exakta and Topcon users and collectors!

Condition: Excellent++ (8/10)
This is a nice outfit in good condition with no dents, dings or other damage, but just the usual signs of use including some paint scrapes and surface scratches here and there. The bellows themselves are in excellent condition, have no pinholes, and are light tight. All controls operate smoothly, and once everything is locked the structure is rigid and square. The slide copier is in similar condition. The box is showing signs of age (and is marked for Konica, as is the rear of the bellows) but complete, and the slide copier box is missing one end flap. Overall, the bellows unit is in good shape - ideal for users and collectors! Pictures in this listing show the actual item offered for sale.

Supplied boxed with slide copier attachment

Compatibility
This bellows unit fits all the "classic" East German bayonet mount Exa, Exakta Varex and VX SLR cameras, plus the RTL1000. It does not directly fit the West German Exakta Real, but could be used with a suitable lens adapter (not included) and conventional Exakta (not Real) lenses.

The bellows unit is not suitable for the M42 screw mount Exa 1b or 1c cameras, or some of the Japanese made "Exakta" cameras such as the Twin TL and FE2000, which had different lens mounts.

It fits all the Exakta-mount Topcon SLR cameras such as the RS, RE Super, RE-2, Super D, Super DM, RE200, RE300 (Exakta EDX2, EDX3), plus the very early Topcon cameras without internal auto diaphragm.

It will NOT fit Topcon cameras which use the UV Topcor range of lenses, such as the Wink S Mirror, Auto 100, Uni, Unirex, Unirex EE and IC-1 Auto. Thankfully, there's a really easy way to tell if this will fit your Topcon camera. Take the lens off - If the aperture ring is on the lens, this will fit, but if the aperture ring stays on the camera, you're out of luck. It will NOT work with the Topcon RM300 or any other models which used the Pentax K lens mount.

The bellows unit can be used on other cameras with a suitable Exakta adapter (not included) such as Alpa, Canon FD/FL and EOS, Konica AR, Minolta MC/MD, Olympus/Panasonic Four Thirds and Micro Four Thirds, Pen F, Sony NEX and others. It accepts Exakta/Topcon lenses only, as above.