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MACRO FOCUSING RAIL

thoramay
Posted 15/04/2010 - 19:56 Link
Struggling in my usual way to gain info on focusing rails. The monfrotto would seem the obvious choice to match up with my tripod but cannot source a supply. I have also seen negative comments about ability to use the eye piece with this model. I would like comments and advice please and any offer if there is a macro rail not now needed. I would prefer a forward/back action rather than the four way model which is readily available.
regards Thoramay.
gartmore
Posted 15/04/2010 - 20:03 Link
It would help if you could tell us which particular tripod/focussing rail/ eyepiece you are talking about.
Ken
“We must avoid however, snapping away, shooting quickly and without thought, overloading ourselves with unnecessary images that clutter our memory and diminish the clarity of the whole.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson -
thoramay
Posted 15/04/2010 - 21:21 Link
The only model I have seen are those on E.Bay available from the far east, mostly with a four way action, which I do not want. I believe that the monfrotto one is a 454 or something like that. The problem for me is that there is little info available on the Web except for the very expensive one, with is way too expensive.
I have been on other forums, but again, with little info and no pictures.
I have been on SRS, Bristol cameras, LCE and others but with no luck. I am sure that these rails are available but with not much take up I guess they do not list them on the Web.
Sorry if I seem vague but it is not that I have not researched, I simply am getting no info and wondered if someone into macro has experience to share.
regards thoramay.
hefty1
Posted 15/04/2010 - 21:33 Link
The 454 is an excellent piece of kit, Morris Photo in Chipping Norton have them for £65 with free delivery. If you want precision adjustments for macro work then you won't get better to be honest (I tried a couple of cheaper ones before getting a 454 - buy cheap buy twice and all that ).
Joining the Q
thoramay
Posted 15/04/2010 - 22:30 Link
Thanks Hefty. One comment made on another forum was that the placement of the camera on this rail interferred with using the camera eyepiece. This kinda put me off a bit This is obviously not your experience. I have the monfrotto 486 tripod. Do I need another quick release plate for this rail? Do you have a site that I can access to get details, please?
regards Thoramay.
bforbes
Posted 15/04/2010 - 22:46 Link
Does this help link A picture of the plate with camera mounted
Mannesty
Posted 15/04/2010 - 22:51 Link
Any focussing rail of this type, even the Pentax one (no longer made), causes an issue with the viewfinder when the moveable part of the rail with the camera mounted onto it is closer to the forward end of its travel.

The image posted by Barrie illustrates why.
Peter E Smith - flickr Photostream
Edited by Mannesty: 15/04/2010 - 23:00
hefty1
Posted 15/04/2010 - 22:54 Link
To be honest, the info on the Morris Photo site I linked to above is about as comprehensive as Manfrotto's own site - ie not very detailed.

To answer your questions:

Firstly, the position of the camera on the plate and the way you use your camera will have a bearing on whether you find it difficult to see through the viewfinder or not. I can imagine that if the camera was at 90 degrees to the plate, at maximum forward distance, and you happen to look through the viewfinder with your left eye then yes - you'd find the tail end of the plate poking you in the throat. But then the exact same thing would be true of any rail/plate and can be worked around by taking care of your set up (and using your right eye). It's not something I've ever found bothersome to be honest.

Secondly, the plate doesn't come with a quick release plate but can be fitted with one if you wish. I attach the camera directly to my 454 and then attach the 454 to the QR plate on my tripod head. If I'm doing the sort of work that warrants using the 454 then it's unlikely I'm going to want to be mounting and dismounting the camera in a hurry anyway, so this is another non-issue for me in real-life situations.

If you do a lot of macro work then it gets a "Highly Recommended" from me. It's beautifully made and allows incredibly precise positioning - there are cheaper alternatives but they'll have the same drawbacks and none that I've tried come close to the super-fine control the 454 offers.
Joining the Q
alfpics
Posted 16/04/2010 - 00:37 Link
I have the manfrotto 454 as well. Got mine a few years back from CameraWorld - however can't find it on their website anymore. As hefty says, allows precise positioning. I really should use it more often...
Andy
Andy
thoramay
Posted 16/04/2010 - 09:44 Link
Thanks for all your good info. Living on an Island is limiting in that our camera shops, although very good and personal, do not have such a comprehensive range or knowledge of such specialised equipment. I do a lot of close and macro work. Also have the 500 mirror lens and the 400-600 mirror pentax lens. Hope that the focusing rail will allow better focusing with these two lens
I understand the comment about restriction with the camera eyepiece. Presumably, the movement on the rail will be small enough to keep the camera at the back end.
Will take your good advice and invest in the manfrotto.
regards Thoramay.
Mannesty
Posted 16/04/2010 - 10:06 Link
thoramay wrote:
Will take your good advice and invest in the manfrotto.

Excellent decision.
Peter E Smith - flickr Photostream
Bob and his Pentax
Posted 16/04/2010 - 11:34 Link
I agree the manfrotto is excellent, and as others have said if you keep the camera towards the rear of the rail then it should not interfere too much with using the viewfinder - don't forget you can use liveview or digital preview to get the image onto the LCD screen which may make it easier too
Good luck

Bob

Pentax user since 1978, Digital since 1997.
Kit includes: K-7, K20D, K10D, *istDS, full set DA* lens, etc
thoramay
Posted 16/04/2010 - 11:45 Link
Thanks Guys. Ordered.
Have never mastered the live view or digital preview. I am so used to using the viewfinder, and stuck in my ways, that I have not ventured farther, Pathetic, I know.
Maybe a short tuition from the enlightened might move me. LOL
Thanks again. Thoramay.
Daniel Bridge
Posted 16/04/2010 - 15:37 Link
If you're still using the K10D you haven't got live view anyway. The digital preview, in my opinion, is pointless - you might as well take a photo instead.

Dan
K-3, a macro lens and a DA*300mm...

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