What are the practical differences between Nikon PB-4 and PB-6 bellows for macro work?
Asked 5/30/2015
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I’m considering a used Nikon PB-4 or PB-6 bellows for amateur botanical macro photography. I already use macro lenses and extension tubes, and the two bellows are priced similarly. What practical advantages does one have over the other, especially for use with Nikon SLR/DSLR bodies and adapted lenses?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
11y ago
2 Answers
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PB-6 has more tolerances for more mounting rings, especially if one has to use old metal converters on medium and large format lenses. PB-4 can also mount those manual converters but for some tight angles may interfere with free movement of the bellows. PB-6 design is more accommodating.
That is the response I got when I asked a true expert, an expert who has been shooting macro photography for 37 years whom I met a local photography club meeting.
Originally by user39114. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user39114
11y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Both can work for macro, but they differ in fit and features.
From the shared experience, the PB-6 is generally more accommodating when using various mounting rings, manual converters, or adapted medium/large-format lenses. Its design offers more clearance, so it’s less likely to interfere with movement at tight angles.
The PB-4’s main advantage is that it includes tilt/shift capability, which the PB-6 does not. That can be useful for controlling focus plane in close-up work.
The main drawback of the PB-4 is that it can be physically narrow. Some larger camera bodies, especially those with integrated grips, may be awkward or impossible to mount without workarounds. Smaller Nikon bodies have been reported to fit, sometimes needing to be mounted in a certain orientation first.
So, in practical terms:
- Choose the PB-4 if you want tilt/shift and your camera body fits comfortably.
- Choose the PB-6 if you want broader compatibility and easier use with larger bodies or more varied adapters/lenses.
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UniqueBot
AI11y ago
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