importance of a focusing rail when going beyond 1:1

[airdima]

Hey guys, recently got my extension tubes, haven't tested them in the field yet but was playing with them around the house. it seems that with the more extreme magnifications it becomes much harder to focus, in order to get to that minimal focusing distance i need to keep repositioning the whole tripod, and i was wondering if a focusing rail is a good investment (starting from 250$ or so at B&H), especially if i want to go beyond my current 2:1 ratio (ordered a stacking adapter so soon will get 4:1 with my 50mm :) )

[brecklundin]

I asked the same question of some friends I know who are far more experienced than myself and also have read explanations here about the pros and cons of a focus rail.

The consensus I got from the two sources was for studio or static situations where you have control of the positioning of the subject a macro rail can help speed things up. I tend to need a tripod anyway so a rail might be a very useful too for me...at times I can have a difficult time hand holding any lens let alone this 180mm beast I have right now. But since a lot of macro shooters have it down so well they set the magnification then have enough touch to move forward and/or back to change the part of the subject in focus. I don't...hehehehe...

Next out in the field a rail can actually be an impediment to getting the shot. Especially when your subject is moving. Same can be said for a tripod but I still take mine for the same reason mentioned above, but in this case I have the Manfrotto 055XPROB so I can position the arm horizontally but not tighten it down completely allowing me some ability to swing the body around. I also keep the ballhead on the looser side but that is not as useful.

Still, I am going to pop for a rail soon...there are a couple that I might roll the dice on at B&H. I really kinda like their Velbon $99 rail. There is also a nice Manfrotto slide for only a bit more at around $125ish. But right now, I am just waiting to get a better sense of handheld macro shooting...

[LordV]

Can only say I regularly shoot higher than 1:1 and have no use for either a macrorail or a tripod.
Brian V.

[brecklundin]

Hey Brian,

Do find that it's a lot easier to get your shots for stacking hand held? I try it and am a dismal failure at it...of course my macro is a 1.5lb log and that has a teeny bit to do with it I am sure. ;) I ask here because I think it might be in the area the OP might find helpful based on the question. Though in my case as my hands are not that steady I might never get nice consistent shots in order to play with stacking.

[LordV]

Hey Brian,

Do find that it's a lot easier to get your shots for stacking hand held? I try it and am a dismal failure at it...of course my macro is a 1.5lb log and that has a teeny bit to do with it I am sure. ;) I ask here because I think it might be in the area the OP might find helpful based on the question. Though in my case as my hands are not that steady I might never get nice consistent shots in order to play with stacking.


Not sure easier is the right word- it's just a lot faster handheld which is often required for live bugs. I'm also not convinced re tripod use at high magnification where the slightest movement will throw off the shot. I find it a lot easier to rest the camera lens on the same surface as the subject or something linked to the subject (often my hand). For setup shots of subjects such as flowers I just often use books or table mats to rest both the subject and camera on- or anything that gives me the angle I want.
Brian v.

[macro junkie]

you dont need focusing rails.it just takes some practice.

[Lester Wareham]

Only ever use rails in static studio situations.

For moving subjects its is handheld.

Flowers, I use a tripod bit don't normally bother with rails as the magnification is low.

[airdima]

thanks for the replies guys, i guess i'll hold on for a while, see if i can get along just by practice

[neil_r]

Can only say I regularly shoot higher than 1:1 and have no use for either a macrorail or a tripod.
Brian V.

But then you are the Macro Meister :-)