What do recommend for focusing rails?

I am trying to research focusing rails. I really want a 4 way option. What do you recommend and why? I want a stable reliable system. I will be using the system with a 1D body.

For coming low, the rail has to have a low profile. It also have to be sturdy, many cheap rails are not. Those fore-after and left-right rails are not even low profile or sturdy.

afoton wrote in post #15818626
For coming low, the rail has to have a low profile. It also have to be sturdy, many cheap rails are not. Those fore-after and left-right rails are not even low profile or sturdy.

So do you have a specific recommendation?

No. My only real experiences with focusing rails in field are with a rail from an old bellows I have. For easy using, I have mount an RRS-plate under and a Kirk clamp on the top.

I use one of these with a 5D MKII + MP-e and have no complaints about sturdiness. Mine says "Adorama" on the side, but is otherwise identical to others you'll find.
http://www.adorama.com …Oam3LvVxrYCFeNc​MgodImYAKw

You can see my results here [Skip past all the landscape stuff]
http://www.flickr.com/​photos/79652823@N00/

gmillerf wrote in post #15822203
I use one of these with a 5D MKII + MP-e and have no complaints about sturdiness. Mine says "Adorama" on the side, but is otherwise identical to others you'll find.
http://www.adorama.com …Oam3LvVxrYCFeNc​MgodImYAKw

You can see my results here [Skip past all the landscape stuff]
http://www.flickr.com/​photos/79652823@N00/

Is it sturdy enough to hold a 1D body?

Do don't know how much a 1D weighs, but my 5D isn't even close to having problems.

I suspect the Hejnar dual-stage 8x8 macro rail would suit your needs. I use a single Hejnar 8-inch rail, and I find it to be quite a nice piece of equipment. I regularly use it to stack up to 100 images in the field.

http://www.hejnarphoto​store.com …humrjmmkougdt6j​ao2865h8n1

If you want something cheaper, you could try the Velbon macro rail. I used that for about a year. It's a decent piece of equipment, although it's not nearly as sturdy or precise as the Hejnar.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …93311&is=REG&Q=​&A=details

gatorlink wrote in post #15832184
I suspect the Hejnar dual-stage 8x8 macro rail would suit your needs. I use a single Hejnar 8-inch rail, and I find it to be quite a nice piece of equipment. I regularly use it to stack up to 100 images in the field.

http://www.hejnarphoto​store.com …humrjmmkougdt6j​ao2865h8n1

If you want something cheaper, you could try the Velbon macro rail. I used that for about a year. It's a decent piece of equipment, although it's not nearly as sturdy or precise as the Hejnar.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …93311&is=REG&Q=​&A=details

Many people seem to recommend the Hejnar rails. The single rails, are they only for vertical adjustment? Can they be used for horizontal adjustments or does the quick release plate not adjust to that position?

butterfly2937 wrote in post #15832237
Many people seem to recommend the Hejnar rails. The single rails, are they only for vertical adjustment? Can they be used for horizontal adjustments or does the quick release plate not adjust to that position?

The single rail that I use can only move closer or further relative to the subject. However, that double rail on the page to which I linked moves left/right as well as forward/backward. I'm not sure how much stability is lost with a rail that move on multiple axes, but in my opinion (and the opinion of all the focus-stacking experts I know of), you really only need a single rail for almost all circumstances unless you are stitching shots in a panorama and focus stacking at the same time.

I don't use one, but I do have the adorama budget one in the $50 range. Mine seems to sag more than I'd like. That's with the 5D2 and 100mm macro.

Thanks for all the feedback. The Hejnar rails look really nice. Sagging or slipping is definitely not something I want to deal with.