Advice on focusing rail
Jan 10, 2019 13:03:40 #
Some responses suggesting tilt shift lenses are well-intentioned but likely completely misguided and from shooters who have never used any lens that provided tilt. The Scheimpflug principle illustrates how depth of field can be reshaped from a vertical plane of focus to a tilted, wedge-shaped zone of focus. In practice, with the capabilities of the tilt shift lenses available, their application in macro is somewhat limited. A wide image circle view camera lens in a 4x5 or larger camera equipped with a bag bellows to allow for greater tilt and swing and a lens that you can stop down to F45 makes a whole lot more sense.
Jan 10, 2019 13:27:36 #
TriX wrote:
I have a photography challenge that requires a foc... (show quote)
I have a cheap Velbon rail ($65) that I use quite often and its sufficient in most situations, but it is not very precise. If I need to be precise, I grab my good one, but that one was over $600 bucks!
Jan 10, 2019 13:31:36 #
TriX wrote:
I have a photography challenge that requires a foc... (show quote)
I've never tried stacking either, but my approach to deciding on a rail would be to look carefully at the more expensive models and then check out less expensive ones for the same or similar capabilities. [B&H has all the way from cheap to ReallyRightStuff rails.] We can all appreciate expensive, but also realize that a better price does not always mean sacrificing the ability to do the same job.
Jan 10, 2019 17:03:39 #
TriX wrote:
I have a photography challenge that requires a foc... (show quote)
Several rental houses will rent them to you by the day, week, etc.
Google 'rent focusing rail for macro photography'
Jan 10, 2019 18:06:31 #
TriX wrote:
I have a photography challenge that requires a foc... (show quote)
What I would try to use - since I made it. Tilts using an enlarging lens.....made from parts obtained off ebay - some modified slightly. Works better with a camera having an EVF.
..
Jan 10, 2019 18:10:11 #
SusanFromVermont wrote:
We can all appreciate expensive, but also realize that a better price does not always mean sacrificing the ability to do the same job.
Agree, and should apply to TRIPODS also......
..
Jan 10, 2019 18:16:34 #
Thanks again for all the suggestions guys - I’m experimenting and will post the results.
Cheers,
Chris
Cheers,
Chris
Jan 10, 2019 21:33:02 #
imagemeister wrote:
Agree, and should apply to TRIPODS also......
..
..
Definitely!
Jan 11, 2019 20:53:02 #
Gene51 wrote:
Some responses suggesting tilt shift lenses are we... (show quote)
If you read the OP you will see
that this is NOT macro work.
As to who might be misguided
about tilting, NO ONE can set up
a view camera faster than I can.
Jan 12, 2019 04:46:39 #
User ID wrote:
If you read the OP you will see
that this is NOT macro work.
As to who might be misguided
about tilting, NO ONE can set up
a view camera faster than I can.
that this is NOT macro work.
As to who might be misguided
about tilting, NO ONE can set up
a view camera faster than I can.
Exactly my point. Using a technical camera is preferable, and there are limitations of a small camera with only modest tilt capability that make it less suitable for this kind of work. It would be worst for macro at or near 1:1 magnification, but an 18" x 1/4" x 1/4" subject may not be a macro, but rather a close up situation.
If you read the OP, he is thinking of using a macro lens and focus stacking. Regardless of whether he uses a macro lens or a lens that provides high magnifications at close up distances, using a tilt shift lens to use tilt to reshape the field of focus is less desirable than using a long focusing rail. Nikon PC-E lenses are capable of 1:2 magnification, but I have not used Canon gear so I am not sure what their capabilities are.
So which would you prefer - a lens with tilt, or a long focusing rail for this shot? I don't think that Chris is considering using a technical camera but I could be wrong, no matter how fast it can be set up.
Jan 13, 2019 15:33:43 #
Gene51 wrote:
Exactly my point. Using a technical camera is preferable,
and there are limitations of a small camera with only modest
tilt capability that make it less suitable for this kind of work. .......
So which would you prefer - a lens with tilt, or a long focusing
rail for this shot? I don't think that Chris is considering using a
technical camera but I could be wrong, no matter how fast it
can be set up.
Exactly my point. Using a technical camera is preferable,
and there are limitations of a small camera with only modest
tilt capability that make it less suitable for this kind of work. .......
So which would you prefer - a lens with tilt, or a long focusing
rail for this shot? I don't think that Chris is considering using a
technical camera but I could be wrong, no matter how fast it
can be set up.
Frankly, I'd go with a technical camera, if I still owned one,
and use a roll holder. But since I don't own such any longer
I'd just turn down the job. The job description, per the OP,
smells bad. Either you're ready to do a job without relying
on collective "wisdom" of online yoyos, or you just decline
the work. The bit about the client having a budget for gear
to do the job is verrrrry sketchy. Smells bad :-(
.
Jan 13, 2019 15:40:03 #
User ID wrote:
Frankly, I'd go with a technical camera, if I still owned one,
and use a roll holder. But since I don't own such any longer
I'd just turn down the job. The job description, per the OP,
smells bad. Either you're ready to do a job without relying
on collective "wisdom" of online yoyos, or you just decline
the work. The bit about the client having a budget for gear
to do the job is verrrrry sketchy. Smells bad :-(
.
and use a roll holder. But since I don't own such any longer
I'd just turn down the job. The job description, per the OP,
smells bad. Either you're ready to do a job without relying
on collective "wisdom" of online yoyos, or you just decline
the work. The bit about the client having a budget for gear
to do the job is verrrrry sketchy. Smells bad :-(
.
Actually, I’m doing it as a favor without charge for the aerospace company where I do some part-time consulting, and they offered to purchase a rail if required. I would never take on a paid job for which I was unprepared and inexperienced - this is not a critical task and an experiment for me.
Jan 13, 2019 16:38:07 #
User ID wrote:
without relying
on collective "wisdom" of online yoyos,
.
on collective "wisdom" of online yoyos,
.
Oh, like you ?
Jan 13, 2019 18:35:50 #
TriX wrote:
Actually, I’m doing it as a favor without charge
...... this is not a critical task and an experiment
for me.
Actually, I’m doing it as a favor without charge
...... this is not a critical task and an experiment
for me.
Well thaz a relief ! But I'da still declined, not
risking my professional image with my client
possibly becoming somewhat less shiny.
Nevertheless, rotsa ruck, have fun, and keep
on dodging them yoyos ! !
.
Jan 13, 2019 19:26:22 #
User ID wrote:
Well thaz a relief ! But I'da still declined, not
risking my professional image with my client
possibly becoming somewhat less shiny.
Nevertheless, rotsa ruck, have fun, and keep
on dodging them yoyos ! !
.
risking my professional image with my client
possibly becoming somewhat less shiny.
Nevertheless, rotsa ruck, have fun, and keep
on dodging them yoyos ! !
.
No yo yos on this thread - just helpful advice from some very knowledgeable professionals whom I admire and whose advice I greatly appreciate.
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