 Jeffrey L. Harwell |
Macro Focusing Rails Does anyone use a macro focusing rail? If so, what kind and do you like it? I love macro work and currently have a Giottos MH7001 head with the 631 quick release long plate, which I thought was good for macro focusing but it's not very smooth. I'm looking at upgrading to a lighter ballhead and tripod for field work (the MT9360 & MH7001 combo is HEAVY). I would appreciate any suggestions on better working macro focusing rails.
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- Carlton Ward Contact Carlton Ward Carlton Ward's Gallery |
Hello Jeff, Macro rails have been on my list for a long time but I always seem to find something else to spend the money on. I have recently been looking at the Really Right Stuff macro rails - http://reallyrightstuff.com/rrs/items.php?Cc=MACRO&Bc= The RRS are very light and look very functional. I may get a RRS macro rail after I upgrade from a 100mm to a 180mm macro lens :) Good Luck, Carlton
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Jeffrey L. Harwell |
Thanks Carlton! I don't think I've ever posed a question that you haven't answered..lol.. You are a WEALTH of information!! I was actually looking at getting the Giottos MH-1302 ballhead with the MH-656, -657 or -658 quick release plates. They seem to have the ability to make very minor adjustments, which may be all I need at present (and they're lighter than what I have now, plus they aren't terribly expensive). I just bought a house with my girlfriend, so I don't want too cheap, but I can't afford the Really Right Stuff ballheads (yet..haha) - but I will definitely check out their rails. I'm at that point now where I'm all confused - trying to focus on TOO many different areas of photography (close-up, landscape, kids, etc..). I need to narrow my focus, find my niche and get the equipment to support that niche. It's getting very drab here in the Northeast - a lot of the color is gone, so I'm turning my focus to indoor close-up/macro work, which I love anyway. Photography can be so overwhelming sometimes..haha.. Thanks again, Carlton, for all your help!!!!!
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Randy A. Myers |
Focusing rails are very helpful with a stationary subject. I have a very old one that I bought from a guy for 20 bucks. It's not something I would spend a lot of money for unless you will be doing a lot of stationary macro work.
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Bob Cammarata |
I've been shooting macros for several years with a bellows and rail assembly and it has improved my close-up photography ten-fold! (Using a bellows for field work requires a good bit of practice though.)
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Jeffrey L. Harwell |
Thanks Randy, and Bob! Bob, what type do you use?
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Bob Cammarata |
I have a Nikon PB-4 Bellows and rail assembly which extends to 190 mm. This link, shows the bellows fully extended with a 105 mm macro lens, which translates to around 3.5 to 5X-lifesize (...depending upon whether the lens is at infinity or at its closest focus distance.) The bellows extends the camera body back from the lens, thus increasing image magnification and the rail allows the entire tripod-mounted assembly to be moved back and forth to lock in on critical focus. The PB-4 also has tilt/shift capabilities which can be used to squeeze out a few bonus milimeters of depth of field on those really tight macros. On my Bug Page, most of the photos were shot with the bellows.
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