Focusing Rails = minefield!!

The info on the net is sketchy to say the least! I'm after a set of focusing rails for studio work and typed into eBay and Amazon focusing rails and it's a minefield!

These here seem very popular, everywhere I look I come across them and the reviews on them are pretty good but I can't get my head around the design, they look clunky, the camera is mounted obscenely really high up and there is no friction control so I can't see how they'd operate without slipping? But as I said, the reviews are good and no one mentions that so I must be missing the point somehow?

Then I saw these even cheaper, crazy cheap in fact that do have what looks to be a lock or friction control and a more 'traditional' look to them like I would expect them to look like. They almost look to be a copy and/or similar design to these here. How much!

So I'm at a loss! Anyone using focusing rails and can tell me the make/model of theirs, or if anyone is using the above rails? I'm mainly shooting jewellery in the studio and flowers so it probably won't be going outside.

I use the Manfrotto 454 - a solid and well made macro rail. But NOT bi-directional.


Roger.

I've got a buying addiction for Novoflex gear. The engineering is 1st class. I've actually got 3 of their racks (one large and 2 small) plus their pano gear and a few heads,

The Castel-XL double rack is probably the most useful piece of equipment I own

http://www.digital-photography.org/digital_photography_review_camera_accesories_...

You can also get this with Arca compatible QR and as a single rail.

Keep an eye on ebay for SH stuff.

You don't really need two because a plate can be used for rare cross movements.

Bracketed shots with a focus rail is the ONLY way to obtain precise focus and the Pentax Beep (which will be at two points) is very precise.

All rails can be turned through 90deg to take 2 shot stereo pairs.

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These rails make a big thing out of being exquisitely adjustable- -often in two planes. I've got one of the "Newer" ones. They work fine but they don't like heavy DSLRs sitting on top of them (and remember the whole ensemble has to sit on top of your tripod, making for even more wobble).

I currently use a vintage set of Pentax bellows for close work, which will be absolutely ideal for what you want to do. The loss of the lateral adjustment is irrelevant. You assemble it and plonk the tripod where you want it and make your final framing adjustments by physically moving the platform supporting the thing being photographed. Then magnification is done by setting the extension of the bellows and focussing by either moving the front support or (if you've got one that allows it) by incrementally moving the whole unit back and forth, using the screw. Perfect for any tiny object and for focus stacking.

Here is a result



and here is how it was shot. *istDS, pentax bellows, beat up takumar 135 (note the working distance)



Start with a cheap Russian set off Ebay and keep looking until the right Pentax one comes along. In fact I've got a good, boxed M42 thread Pentacon style set that you can have for a fiver + postage !

I use the Velbon ones that McBrian linked to - they work well IMO.
I also have the Manfrotto 454 but find that you fine position it and then when you turn the lock=nut, it kicks things slightly sideways.
Can't comment on the others apart from saying that I guess the Novoflex will be like a Rolls Royce!

There's a NOVOFLEX CASTEL-L FOCUSING RACK used available for £105 BIN on ebay.
This is the single rail version which does most jobs well. Located Mold.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NOVOFLEX-CASTEL-L-FOCUSING-RACK-EXCELLENT-/27240811053...

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