Bellows Factor: As you know, modern cameras are adjustable and allow focusing over a wide range of subject distance. However, many camera models prevent extreme close focusing. We are talking about subject distances closer than 5 focal lengths. At distances greater than 5 focal lengths, the exposure error induced by bellows factor is trivial thus ignored.

As we close focus, the f-numbers engraved on the lens barrel become gradually invalid. At magnification 1 (unity – life size) the subject distance is twice the focal length and the error induced in the f-numbers, as denoted. This error is 2 f-stops, which is a factor of 4. We use the factor value as a multiplier. As an example, if the normal shutter speed is 1/100 of a second, at magnification 1 the exposure factor is 4 thus to compensate, we multiply 1/100 X 4 = 4/100 = 1/25 of a second.

One solution is to mount a close-up lens. This is a simple magnifier lens akin to the lenses used in reading eye glasses. Normally we classify lenses by expressing their power in terms of focal length in the millimeter scale.

Opticians often switch to a unit of measure called the diopter. A lens with a focal length of 1000mm is classified as 1 diopter written as 1d. A 500mm lens converts to 2d and a 250mm lens is 4d. The conversion formula is 1/focal length in millimeters times 1000. Thus, a 50mm lens converted to diopter is 1/50 X 1000 =20d. Opticians do this to simplify the math used when combining lens elements.

When a camera’s design does not permit extreme close-up imaging, we can resort to several remedies. The simplest is to mount a close-up supplementary lens. The close-up lens, when doing close up work, forces the light rays to enter the camera lens as nearly parallel rays. This allows close imaging while eliminating any need to adjust the exposure (no bellows factor compensation required).

If we seek different remedies such as extension tuber bellows attachments, we now must recognize that an exposure error has been induced. The formula is bellows factor = magnification + 1 squared.

Suppose we work at magnification 1 (life-size). Magnification =1 = 1 + 1 squared = 4. This is the bellows factor for unity. We compensate for this elevated magnification by multiplying the unadjusted shutter speed by multiplying it by 4.

With a +2.9 supplementary close-up lens mounted, set the camera for infinity focus, place the object to be imaged 1/2.9 X 1000 = 345mm forward of the first lens of the camera barrel.