Macro focusing rails: are they all so jerky?

Question directed at those macro shooters who use them.

Having one heck of a time with my Manfrotto focusing rail. Turning the knobs, no matter how gentle I do it, shakes the whole rig. Is this normal? Or is this Manfrotto rail just too rough on the edges?

I was thinking of buying a Novoflex Castel Q, but I'd not like to find out after the purchase that all rails do this.

Thoughts?

Heya,

Unfortunately, just touching it will cause tons of vibration. If everything is seated properly and steady, you should be able to gently turn the knob without resistance and move your rail without too much violent shaking so that you can at least see where you're focusing. I have a cheap $50 rail system and it's not that jerky, but I make sure it's not top heavy and everything is very tight and the knobs are well loose, lubed and easy to turn. If there's friction on your rail, it will shake due to the scraping friction of moving. If it's lubed, it should glide and not shake much.

Very best,

Thanks, mate. I'll continue giving this guy a try. Heh, in the end, I found it easier to hand-hold the camera for macro photos of snowflakes, go figure.

My RRS focusing rail moves fairly smoothly when I use the focusing screw. It is very well-made. However, even with a very solid Gitzo 3-series tripod and Arca-Swiss Z1 ballhead, having the camera on the rail, out from the center of the ballhead, focusing closer than 1:1, shows a lot of vibration from any touch. As well-made as all those pieces are, I am obviously pushing the limits of the gear (normal closeups up to 1:1, without the rail, don't show nearly the vibration). Adjustments take a little time.

I use liveview, hold still, use a remote release, and hold my breath during the exposure.

I have the StackShot and it works great. When it moves backwards or forwards fast it seems to bob up and down slightly, but the movement does not seem to affect stacking. It's possible that the stacking software compensates for the small differences in framing.

Some interesting stuff at http://www.savazzi.net …graphy/focusing​_racks.htm.

Early in the article the statement "Aluminium-against-aluminium sliding parts simply don't work - this metal is too soft, and may stick under load even when lubricated" is made and as an engineer I can tell you that in theory this should hold true.

Unfortunately the author makes the following comment down near the bottom of the article.

If you have painted aluminum, and you use the rails a lot I suppose one could infer the situation might get worse as the paint wears off but I have no direct experience to back that up.

True dat. The placement of the knobs is far from optimal, and you constantly find yourself turning them in the wrong direction. I don't really use this rail a lot (the crude design is one of the reasons why), so I guess I haven't given it much of a chance to get worse.

From what I've seen and tried, I'd say that focusing rails and L-plates and panoramic heads are not really Manfrotto's forte; that's why I still want to purchase the Castel Q in the near future. Of course, I'll have to buy the extra plate too, as the Arca Swiss is incompatible with Manfrotto's gear.