Precision Verical or Z Axis Adjustment tripod Accessory suggestion: I have been searching for a way to accurately provide vertical camera movement for macro work. I have found front...

Mundj Loc: Richmond TX

I have been searching for a way to accurately provide vertical camera movement for macro work. I have found front back and sideways X-Y devices but not vertical. The verical rack and pinion adjustment on an old video tripod is too coarse. I did a search and found expensive z-Axis optical alignment equipment. I was hoping to find a less costly solution. Do you folks have a suggestion?

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

CO

The closest thing I can think of would be a geared 3-way tripod head. It wouldn't give you vertical movement but the tilt axes could accomplish what you're wanting to do. You can adjust all three axes with precision. There are a variety of companies that manufacture them. Manfrotto has various ones from $188 to $515.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

Mundj wrote:

I have been searching for a way to accurately provide vertical camera movement for macro work. I have found front back and sideways X-Y devices but not vertical. The verical rack and pinion adjustment on an old video tripod is too coarse. I did a search and found expensive z-Axis optical alignment equipment. I was hoping to find a less costly solution. Do you folks have a suggestion? Thanks for taking the time to read this.

It would only work if you can place your subjects where you want them, but it would be pretty easy to make a stage for a vertical-mounted geared focusing rail.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Look at Ben Horne's video review of the Arca Swiss F metric gear drive tripod head.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJMt13PNGhQ&t=574s

Also, the Really Right Stuff macro page is a wealth of information.

http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/Macro-and-Closeup-Shooting

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

Call Really Right Stuff. I'm sure they can put together a solution based on their macro rails.

Best,
Todd Ferguson

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

Notorious T.O.D. wrote:

Call Really Right Stuff. I'm sure they can put together a solution based on their macro rails.

Best,
Todd Ferguson

RRS has high quality gear, and high prices [worth it]. If the budget can stand it, a great solution. Not sure how they would add a third axis!
For a 2-axis focusing rail: http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/B150-B-Ultimate-Pkg-Two-B150-B-Rails

I think the best bet would be to figure out a way to precisely raise and lower the subject, as suggested by RWR.

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

Well it could be mounted on the RRS pano gimbal with the top clamp style and the one axis would be vertical and the other front to back axis. The gimbal would give left to right adjustments in marked 1mm increments or less. I think the right left movement would be the one that could withstand the course adjustment relatively speaking. Plus you would have a nice pano gimbal. Not inexpensive but very workable I think. If I had the macro rails I would test it out...

Best,
Todd Ferguson

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

A company called Micro Fence makes a precision router base with vertical adjustment that might also be adapted for the vertical movement. I believe these are on the order of $300-$400 for the base. One would have to mount a rail to it to support the macro rail...maybe a RRS 12-20 inch camera bar could be used for that too.

Best,
Todd Ferguson

Mundj Loc: Richmond TX

Thanks to all for taking the time to respond. I will check out RRS for a possible solution. You have given me some new ideas.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Mundj wrote:

I have been searching for a way to accurately provide vertical camera movement for macro work. I have found front back and sideways X-Y devices but not vertical. The verical rack and pinion adjustment on an old video tripod is too coarse. I did a search and found expensive z-Axis optical alignment equipment. I was hoping to find a less costly solution. Do you folks have a suggestion?

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

You could use a ball head, set to the side and use your X-Y rack and pinion rail system vertically. So you would end up with front to back and up and down.

Mundj Loc: Richmond TX

I had though of that as well and it may be a solution. Based on additional searching based on suggestions here I am also considering either making or purchasing two right angle brackets and using a macro rail for the vertical movement. I will keep you posted on my results.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Mundj wrote:

I had though of that as well and it may be a solution. Based on additional searching based on suggestions here I am also considering either making or purchasing two right angle brackets and using a macro rail for the vertical movement. I will keep you posted on my results.

See if https://www.hejnarphotostore.com/ has anything that could help. He makes a very precise macro rail, and all sorts of fittings to do pretty cool stuff.

Mundj Loc: Richmond TX

Gene51 wrote:

See if https://www.hejnarphotostore.com/ has anything that could help. He makes a very precise macro rail, and all sorts of fittings to do pretty cool stuff.

Gene, thank you for this link. He has some amazing stuff. This will solve my problem.

Thanks again to the HOGs for sharing their knowledge and experience.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Mundj wrote:

Gene, thank you for this link. He has some amazing stuff. This will solve my problem.

Thanks again to the HOGs for sharing their knowledge and experience.

I have some of his clamps and a long rail - the quality is every bit as good as RRS, Gitzo or anything else I've seen. And he is honest and a pleasure to deal with. Good luck, and I am glad you found a solution there. Take a shot of your final configuration, I'd love to see it.