Best focusing rail for Nikon d850: Looking for the best focusing rail to go on my d850 without taking out a second mortgages. It will be used mostly with my Nikon 105 2.8 macro lens.

rit z Loc: Upstate New York

Looking for the best focusing rail to go on my d850 without taking out a second mortgages. It will be used mostly with my Nikon 105 2.8 macro lens. Thanks in advance Nikon D850, Nikon D750, Nikon D750 converted to super color ir, Nikon D5500 and too many (but never enough) lenses

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

I would check Really Right Stuff out.

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

rit z wrote:

Looking for the best focusing rail to go on my d850 without taking out a second mortgages. It will be used mostly with my Nikon 105 2.8 macro lens. Thanks in advance Nikon D850, Nikon D750, Nikon D750 converted to super color ir, Nikon D5500 and too many (but never enough) lenses

What are you using the rail for? Do you need left-right and front-back movement? Rails are not camera model specific - if it works for a D850 with a 105 it will also work for a d7200 with a 60mm and so on. Your expectations will determine what you "should" spend, your bank account or significant other will determine what you will spend. An X/Y focusing rail can cost as little as $75 or as much as $1000.

You might want to take a look at Hejnar Photo - they have various components and bundles to meet your needs, and they will be just as functional as RRS but cost a little bit less. RRS is a gold standard, but that second mortgage could be a real possibility.

tcthome Loc: NJ

Nisi has one. When & if I purchase one, this would be the one I try first. would like a Y-X axis mocement on a three way geared head but, it would probably be more than I might want to spend.

Happy shooting, Tom

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1574871-REG/nisi_nisi_nm_180_nisi_macro_focusing_rail.html?sts=pi&pim=Y

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

tcthome wrote:

Nisi has one. When & if I purchase one, this would be the one I try first. would like a Y-X axis mocement on a three way geared head but, it would probably be more than I might want to spend.

Happy shooting, Tom

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1574871-REG/nisi_nisi_nm_180_nisi_macro_focusing_rail.html?sts=pi&pim=Y

The Nisi is stackable for X-Y. My only concern is that it seems pretty light duty (prone to vibration). I prefer a thicker rail.

stangro

Gene51 wrote:

The Nisi is stackable for X-Y. My only concern is that it seems pretty light duty (prone to vibration). I prefer a thicker rail.

I bought this rail as well - Have yet to use it, but it appears to be in good working order.

DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA

depending upon your age and those mentioned in your will, RRS stuff will likely outlast you and go to them. I have an RRS telephoto support set up and it is, indeed, the gold standard both in build quality and price.

cactuspic Loc: Dallas, TX

There may be a less expensive alternative depending upon your existing equipment and intended use. If you have an Arca plate type system on you tripod, installing an Arca type plate perpendicular to the sensor is easier to install and lighter carry than a macro rail and more stable. This presumes that you did not need the side to side adjustment of a four way macro rail. With just several minutes practice it is easy to make fine adjustments by sliding the plate just a bit forward or backward. It also presumes that you will use the focus shift program for acquiring the images that comprise any focus stacks you do. This should also have the benefit of yielding a better set of images than would be obtained l using the rail.

eagle80 Loc: Kutztown, PA

Did you receive my message about me having a rail for sale?

Larry