While reading on-line tips concerning macro photography the article mentioned a “Focusing Rail” as a device to provide finer control of delicate focus and shallow depth of field associated with macros.
It’s a new term/device to me so I Google’d it and found examples . I understand how it works and could see it being useful in some situations but I’d like to hear from someone who has one or has used one and what their impressions were.
I’m always curious to learn new things.
Care to share your opinion or experiences?
Hey, Earl. I’m familiar with them. Mike, over at Macro Art In Nature, used to use them a lot with 50mm lens reversed. He said that it was pretty ideal for very close in macro work.
Hi Paul, I guess a focusing rail provides a precise control for shifting the camera/lens ever so slightly to allow fine tuning the focus/DOF. Have you used one yourself?
Thanks, I’ll check out Mike’s site!
I have a Velbon one that has axis adjustments in two directions. They are definitely handy if you are working with extreme macro – like with a reversed lens. However, mine adds considerable bulk to my setup, so I typically don’t carry it around with me much. It also raises my camera a considerable amount above my ballhead – which I don’t like when working while the camera is pointed downward because it throws everything off balance. I think the ones by RRS and Kirk are a bit lighter / less bulky – but also a lot more expensive than what I paid for mine.
@Mark: I don’t know that I would use one but the design principle sounded reasonable. The focus/DOF is so shallow with some Macros that having a higher degree of control sounds appealing.
But the bulk and offset may not be worth it, plus they are not inexpensive.