Focus rail vs lens focus incrementing?

[jemanner]

Being a newbee to macro, I am probably overlooking something basic. Somewhere in a thread it was stated a focus rail does not change the size of the object, whereas lens focusing does. Is this true? To this novice, it would seem the object would also vary in image size with a rail. Where I'm coming from, is for instance Helicon Remote auto-steps the lens focus, a very handy feature presuming working where one has the ability to have a computer connected to the camera. Looking forward, probably only a matter of time before someone comes out with a small accessory device to auto-step focus in the field.

[LordV]

No it's not true, both methods change the size of the objects in the FOV and both can be used for focus stacking.
Funny you mention a field device for auto stepping possibly not what you meant though http://www.cognisys-inc.com/stackshot/stackshot.php?osCsid=148b5b3d7523bb31c6aa570e88528 7aa

Brian v.

[jemanner]

Thanks Brian. No pricing as yet, but it HAS to be very expensive! I may opt for Helicon Focus with the remote option.

[jemanner]

Thanks Brian. No pricing as yet, but it HAS to be very expensive! I may opt for Helicon Focus with the remote option.

Just noticed the pricing, $475 for the complete kit. Not bad actually, compared to some of the high-end manual rails.

[LordV]

Not sure if someone was joking but I did hear mention of an app for an Iphone/itouch for canon camera control which would make a tethered camera a lot more portable.

If the autostage is of interest, this guy http://www.flickr.com/photos/13084997@N03/ did a lot of testing of the prototype - funnily enough I used to work with him :)
Brian V.