Macro Focusing Rail: Once again I return to the source of so much good advice and information! I recently got a Tamron macro lens for my Sony Alpha 500 and want to get a focusing rail...

rcrosby825 Loc: Western Maine

Once again I return to the source of so much good advice and information!
I recently got a Tamron macro lens for my Sony Alpha 500 and want to get a focusing rail for it.
Granted, you often get what you pay for, but with prices varying so widely I need some assistance. Don't want to buy junk, but also don't want to spend more than I have to on a "BMW" when a nice little Honda Accord would suite my purposes.
Can I expect to find a well build, smooth rail for under $150.00?
Any suggestions re: features, brands, etc. greatly appreciated.
Rob

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Using a Focusing Rail is a very strict discipline, Very few HedgeHoggers have attempted photo-stacking images, which is the product of using a Focusing Rail.

Go to the UHH True Macro-Photography Forum http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-102-1.html to find a few threads about Focusing Rails and photo-stacking.

Tina

I brought one at Adorama.com for less than $150.00. I believe it was approximately $80.00. I had only recently heard of macro rails. I mounted a quick release plate to it for convenience. Its worth checking out to see if it meets your needs.

chapjohn Loc: Tigard, Oregon

rcrosby825, I have to acknowledge your fine choice of camera's.
I am glad you asked this question as it will also help as I consider a macro rail.

Adubin Loc: Indialantic, Florida

Rob, I'm consider buying the Velbonb focus rail. Click on this link http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/193311-REG/Velbon_SUPER_MAG_SLIDER_Super_Mag_Slider.html to view it. It also has gotten some very good reviews. Arnold

rcrosby825 wrote:

Once again I return to the source of so much good ... (show quote)

docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado

Adubin wrote:

Rob, I'm consider buying the Velbonb focus rail. C... (show quote)

Velbon is fine - heavy and bulky but does the job

rcrosby825 Loc: Western Maine

Thanks for all the responses, leads, etc.
So here's a follow-up since several of you mentioned photo stacking.
While it sounds like a neat thing to be able to do, I have no interest in that particular game.
A focus rail was recommended to me for use in standard macro work. Interested in your opinions on this. Do you see the use of focus rails as purely a photo stacking accessory, or do they really make focusing for standard macro shots easier enough to justify the expense???
Thanks again,
Rob :-D

mawyatt Loc: Clearwater, Florida

I have the Velbon & Manfrotto 454. I like the Velbon better, it's a little smoother and easier to set precisely. I got the Velbon because I thought I lost the Manfrotto, then found it but still use the Velbon.

RaydancePhoto

rcrosby825 wrote:

Thanks for all the responses, leads, etc. br So he... (show quote)

I bought one about 2 years ago. Have never used it. I do a lot of macro, but just hand hold most shots, 95%

larrycumba

Buy the best.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

rcrosby825 wrote:

A focus rail was recommended to me for use in standard macro work. Interested in your opinions on this. Do you see the use of focus rails as purely a photo stacking accessory, or do they really make focusing for standard macro shots easier enough to justify the expense?

I suppose a focusing rail is handy when using a tripod for narrow DOF photos, taken with available light at low ISO setting. Sounds like work!

Macro-photographers tend to use several different techniques, which vary depending on table-top macro or field macro, available light or Speedlight illumination, etc. Go to the UHH True Macro-Photography Forum to see what other HedgeHoggers are doing for macro. Many (like me) have websites listed lower left every post.

naturepics43 Loc: Hocking Co. Ohio - USA

rcrosby825 wrote:

A focus rail was recommended to me for use in standard macro work. Interested in your opinions on this. Do you see the use of focus rails as purely a photo stacking accessory, or do they really make focusing for standard macro shots easier enough to justify the expense???
Thanks again,
Rob :-D

I use a tripod most of the time for macro work since I am old & shaky. To answer your question, I feel a focusing rail is an asset for small flowers etc. It's easier to get your composition close by moving tripod, then fine tune focus & composition with the focusing rail. For me it is worth the investment. As Doug stated, it gives you the ability to use slower shutter speeds.Hope this helps

Jim Plogger Loc: East Tennessee

I have an Adorama focusing rail. It is a very nice rail that gets very little use. You can see it here:

http://www.adorama.com/MCFRS.html

They also have one for under $65 dollars. Both are 4 way rails. Quite honestly I hardly ever use the rail for my macro photography. It is good if you are using extension tubes but, otherwise, I find that tripod, mirror lockup, and autofocus works very well.

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

I would like to re-ask a couple of questions I asked a few weeks ago but got no answers: A macro focus rail will cause each succeeding image to be slightly larger as it is racked out; won't this ruin the image?

Even refocusing with the lens will alter the image size slightly. Does the PP software adjust for this?

I have an old rail I used years ago when doing lots of macro work. And, yes, it does make focusing much, much easier when working around 1:1 and larger.

Thanks.

docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado

jackm1943 wrote:

I would like to re-ask a couple of questions I asked a few weeks ago but got no answers: A macro focus rail will cause each succeeding image to be slightly larger as it is racked out; won't this ruin the image?

Even refocusing with the lens will alter the image size slightly. Does the PP software adjust for this?

I have an old rail I used years ago when doing lots of macro work. And, yes, it does make focusing much, much easier when working around 1:1 and larger.

Thanks.

yes and no. Yes it will slightly enlarge each successive shot and you can compensate for this by focusing slightly differently for each which means you have to keep the last pic in your mind... and no software will not automatically adjust for this but yes you can make certain corrections in pp. Excellent observation!