nano
newbie
Reged: 27/06/2008
Posts: 3
|
|
Can anyone suggest a lightweight and cheap rail for Macro Photography that they have used and tested?
|
Fen
BAD WOLF
Reged: 12/03/2002
Posts: 19571
Loc: Currently Unknown!
|
|
Haven't managed to find one myself yet...
The only ones I've seen (sorry didn't take names) didn't seem stable/solid enough to be usable.
Beginning to think it's a choice between lightweight or sturdy
--------------------
Fen.
- Fen's Flickr Fotos -
"One good photograph does not a photographer make."
|
daft_biker
Action Man!
Reged: 11/10/2006
Posts: 6978
Loc: Doon the glen
|
|
I think there was some of these on ebay for a tenner earlier.
I've no 1st hand experience of that one but they look pretty good. I use a Manfrotto 454 focus rail...seems you can get it online for under £50; see here. I've no complaints about the Manfrotto.
--------------------
Andrew (BSRIPN) ... Pics.
|
spangler
enthusiast
Reged: 04/04/2008
Posts: 272
Loc: Aylesbury
|
|
Check out Ebay item number 270247908408. I sourced one of these in the UK and have been very pleased with it, my only criticism is that if you use it vertically (like a microscope) and have a heavy load on it the geared adjustment can slip but all in all it performs well. If I recall correctly I purchased mine with a Seagull right angled viewfinder (Excellent!) for less than £70.
PS. My heavy load was a D200 with battery grip + Sigma 105 Macro with a 50mm f1.8 reversed onto it!
Regards, Andrew
|
Dorset_Mike
It's about time mine changed
Reged: 11/05/2006
Posts: 1594
Loc: Poole, Dorset.
|
|
A number of Hong Kong ebay shops have this one
ebay link scroll down just over half the page.
they have a screw device for locking the rail to overcome creep problems, I use one with my Minolta 5D and Tamron 90 also with reversed lens and with bellows.
--------------------
Cheers, MIKE
Save oil, bring back steam.
|
Malcolm_Stewart
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 11/07/2005
Posts: 2249
Loc: Milton Keynes, UK
|
|
Hmm I'm a bit tempted by the looks of that one! At that price! Even including the postage.
And, I've had dealings with that ebay vendor - excellent service, two or three months ago. My only criticism is that the rear lens and body caps were clearly not as nicely made as genuine Canon.
--------------------
Malcolm Stewart
|
spangler
enthusiast
Reged: 04/04/2008
Posts: 272
Loc: Aylesbury
|
|
Yes, that's the type I was refering to.
Andrew
|
Malcolm_Stewart
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 11/07/2005
Posts: 2249
Loc: Milton Keynes, UK
|
|
I've just remembered that one of the slightly annoying features of macro focusing rails is the lock mechanism. You really need it if you're using the rail away from horizontal, and my BPM suffers from the lock engaging all by itself - even when it's not needed. I think my Minolta is better, but it's worth bearing in mind if you have a choice, and can try it out.
--------------------
Malcolm Stewart
|
Dorset_Mike
It's about time mine changed
Reged: 11/05/2006
Posts: 1594
Loc: Poole, Dorset.
|
|
Typically that ebay link is no longer valid, they have moved from that page as stuff gets sold, you'll find some by either doing a "shop search" for "macro rail" in the box near top left, or paging through to page 9 or 10.
--------------------
Cheers, MIKE
Save oil, bring back steam.
|
PapaLazarou
member
Reged: 04/01/2006
Posts: 179
|
|
I've the manfrotto, nice enough unit, only failings are: camera affixes at rugger bung end on rail (otherwise you can't get eye to finder (I have a BG, I suspect it would be worse without) there are two adjust modes, gradual and speed, both work well, even in speed mode camera remains nice & secure.
Used to use with a manual camera and bellows, works just as well with digital eos and Sigma 70mm macro.
It is not so good in portrait mode as there is no spigot (as on video tripods) to stop the unit twisting. Although if your macro lens has a tripod collar this won't be an issue.
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Edit
Reply
Quote
