Focus Rails--what to look for

[hark]

Since Pretzel wrote about his newly acquired Sigma macro lens, I've been thinking more about macro photography myself. One thing I lack is a focus rail. What are features to consider? And does it matter what type of tripod head is being used? I own 2 different tripods that take completely different quick release plates (one is rectangular while the other is hexagonal). What do I need to consider when deciding on a focus rail? Thanks!

 

[mikew_RIP]

I bought elcheapo they are ok but the adjustment could be smoother,so i would say one thing is smooth adjustment.

4-Way Macro Shot Focusing Rail Slider for Canon Nikon Sony Pentax OLYMPUS Camera | eBay

 

[hark]

I bought elcheapo they are ok but the adjustment could be smoother,so i would say one thing is smooth adjustment.

4-Way Macro Shot Focusing Rail Slider for Canon Nikon Sony Pentax OLYMPUS Camera | eBay

Thanks--will keep in mind to read reviews for adjustments. Does it matter what type of quick release plate you are using?

 

[weebee]

Good timing! I have my set up out and playing around this morning. I use a 4 way rail along with a Manfrotto junior pan/tilt head. Not to mention a ring flash and for static work a remote trigger to keep vibration down. The Nikon DG-2 eyepiece works very well to get the focus where you want it.

 

[mikew_RIP]

Thanks--will keep in mind to read reviews for adjustments. Does it matter what type of quick release plate you are using?

The one i have just takes any quick release plate like a camera would.

 

[nickt]

I have two of these:
Fotomate LP 01 2 Way Macro Focusing Rail Slider for Canon Nikon Sony Pentax DSLR | eBay
I don't remember if I bought from that particular seller. Note the auction is for ONE rail (2 way). You need two if you want x-y. Some sellers sell as pairs (4 way).

Like Mike's, I'd say the adjustment could be smoother, but they work. They come on the slooow from China of course.
You can use one rail or put the two together for x-y control. They each have a 1/4-20 female thread on the flat side. You should be able to mount any plate you have to that the same as you would to a camera. The other side has two floating 1/4-20 male screws for mounting to the camera or to the 2nd rail, if used. One of these screws is in a stationary hole, the other is in a slotted track. The larger thumb screw drives the rail, the smaller locks it down. They are about, 6.5" x 2", decent weight to them, not flimsy.

I don't use them as much as I thought, so I am glad I got inexpensive ones. Too much trouble for bugs or flowers that might be swaying in the breeze. I use flash and high aperture handheld for that. If I need a detailed picture of a small part, I'll use these.

 

[hark]

I have two of these:
Fotomate LP 01 2 Way Macro Focusing Rail Slider for Canon Nikon Sony Pentax DSLR | eBay
I don't remember if I bought from that particular seller. Note the auction is for ONE rail (2 way). You need two if you want x-y. Some sellers sell as pairs (4 way).

Like Mike's, I'd say the adjustment could be smoother, but they work. They come on the slooow from China of course.
You can use one rail or put the two together for x-y control. They each have a 1/4-20 female thread on the flat side. You should be able to mount any plate you have to that the same as you would to a camera. The other side has two floating 1/4-20 male screws for mounting to the camera or to the 2nd rail, if used. One of these screws is in a stationary hole, the other is in a slotted track. The larger thumb screw drives the rail, the smaller locks it down. They are about, 6.5" x 2", decent weight to them, not flimsy.

I don't use them as much as I thought, so I am glad I got inexpensive ones. Too much trouble for bugs or flowers that might be swaying in the breeze. I use flash and high aperture handheld for that. If I need a detailed picture of a small part, I'll use these.

Thanks for this info, Nick. When you put the 2 sets together, did they fasten together well without any trouble?

 

[nickt]

Thanks for this info, Nick. When you put the 2 sets together, did they fasten together well without any trouble?

No trouble. That ribbed surface you see is rubber, albeit not the most sticky rubber. So its just a matter of placing them together and hand tightening the tripod screw the same as you would to mount a camera. If you did have some slippage, you could use a coin to get it a little more snug.

 

[hark]

I've read many reviews on macro rails, and I understand that the less expensive ones will have a little play in them. My local camera store only carries the Manfrotto 454 slider rail. It looks to be somewhat solid although it only moves front/backwards. Any comments about this particular rail?

Manfrotto 454 Micrometric Positioning Sliding Plate - 454 B&H

 

[Ironwood]

I bought a cheap ebay model. I played with mine the day I got it, never used it since. All my macro shooting is done handheld, insects etc.
The only use for it that I can see is if one day I want to do some focus stacking of a completely stationary subject in a controlled environment. I don't kill my insects, but one day I might find one thats already dead.

 

[hark]

I bought a cheap ebay model. I played with mine the day I got it, never used it since. All my macro shooting is done handheld, insects etc.
The only use for it that I can see is if one day I want to do some focus stacking of a completely stationary subject in a controlled environment. I don't kill my insects, but one day I might find one thats already dead.

You are fortunate that you can hand hold the camera for macro images. I can't always get a sharp image hand holding for landscape photos (arm injury).

Insects really aren't my thing! I much prefer flowers without bugs on them. And prefer my bugs dead rather than alive! :beguiled:

 

[hark]

I wound up getting a 4-way macro rail as I didn't like the play in the Manfrotto rail when the sales person showed it to me. Getting this photo was far more daunting than I imagined...although not because of the rail. Neither of my tripods go way down close to the ground so I had to invert the center column and hang the camera upside down. The difficult part was using the buttons on the camera while it was upside down. I kept hitting the On/Off switch instead of the wheel to change the aperture. However, the rail worked flawlessly without any play in it. Unfortunately the sun shined directly on the flowers and camera making it more difficult to see the rear screen. I had so much trouble focusing manually in Live View that I switch to AF instead.

I'm not sure what this color of Bleeding Heart is called. It is somewhat red in color.

 

[hark]

The rail I chose is the Oben MFR4-5 Macro Focusing Rail. I'm not sure this one has been mentioned previously here on Nikonites. It is solidly built--didn't notice any play or creeping although it was positioned upside down on my tripod. The gears were clean without any grease or noticeable lubricant yet both rails moved without any trouble. I could feel the ratcheting of the gears as the rails moved front/back and side-to-side.

It has an Arca Swiss QR plate on it. It's the first time using that style although I prefer my Manfrotto QR plates on my tripods. The rail has some weight to it. Overall, I am very pleased with it so far.

Oben MFR4-5 Macro Focusing Rail MFR4-5 B&H Photo Video

 

[hark]

There are two things missing from this rail:

1. No markings to move the rail in small increments
2. No way to lock the knobs although the rail doesn't creep

 

[RocketCowboy]

It has an Arca Swiss QR plate on it. It's the first time using that style although I prefer my Manfrotto QR plates on my tripods. The rail has some weight to it. Overall, I am very pleased with it so far.

Oben MFR4-5 Macro Focusing Rail MFR4-5 B&H Photo Video

Did you have to go with a different tripod head in order to mate up with the Arca Swiss plate on the Oben? From what I remember, I'm thinking you primarily use the QR plate, so curious how this connects. It looks good though! Good food for thought since I'm casually looking for rails too.

 

[hark]

Did you have to go with a different tripod head in order to mate up with the Arca Swiss plate on the Oben? From what I remember, I'm thinking you primarily use the QR plate, so curious how this connects. It looks good though! Good food for thought since I'm casually looking for rails too.

I connected the rail to my tripod using my Manfrotto QR plate on my regular tripod head. I also have the option to remove my tripod head and mount this directly onto the tripod legs.

 

[wornish]

Not sure I should post this here. But technology moves on, my E-M5II does focus bracketing automatically so there is no need to use focus rails. Can do up to 100 shots and set the increment the focus changes for each step and also set a delay for the flash to recharge if you are using one.

 

[RocketCowboy]

Not sure I should post this here. But technology moves on, my E-M5II does focus bracketing automatically so there is no need to use focus rails. Can do up to 100 shots and set the increment the focus changes for each step and also set a delay for the flash to recharge if you are using one.

Now that's pretty cool when the camera can figure it out!