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Message:: [QUOTE="rmpsrpms, post: 2663172, member: 31773"]The problem with the working distance on the 105VR is that the lens itself is quite large in diameter. Coupled with the relatively short working distance, this severely limits the lighting angles you can achieve. You of course can create lighting systems that place the light sources between the lens and coin to get to a higher angle, or use axial lighting to alleviate the problem completely (while creating several new ones), but I was not aware of those techniques when I first started out, and in general prefer not to use them even today. Why should I accept going to such lengths to make such an expensive lens work for me? Enlarging/duplicating lenses are small in diameter, and because of this are much easier to get lighting into place without specialized systems. And I learned pretty quickly that I could actually achieve better image quality from duplication lenses than could be achieved with the 105VR, and much less money, and without the limitation of 1:1 magnification. I do agree with you that the PB4 is an excellent bellows. It's likely far beyond what the OP needs given the tilt/shift capability.[/QUOTE]