Adorama Budget Macro Focusing Rail Set with 4 Way, Fine Control, Camera Focusing Rail for Macro Photography.

by Adorama

Product Details

• Item Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B0002ER2WI
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)

Product Description

Flashpoint rail sysytem provides rack and pinion movement, fine focusing adjustments. Two 6" rails allow movement in four directions, right, left, forward and backward. Mounts on, and accepts 1/4x20 threaded screws, will fit most tripods and copy stands. Positive locking knobs assure rock-steady focus.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Adorama Macro Focusing Rail Set, October 17, 2007

By 

Rick Diamond (San Francisco,Ca) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Adorama Budget Macro Focusing Rail Set with 4 Way, Fine Control, Camera Focusing Rail for Macro Photography. (Electronics)

This product is very good for macro photography. Moves left and right, foward and back so you do not need to move your tripod to get in position again to reframe or focus the subject. Smooth and very small fraction of an inch foward and back movements allow for macro subject to become in focus without having to go back to lens focus ring after you have previously set the len's depth of field. Great for when an insect moves in any direction as you do not need to move the tripod and miss the shot.
One thing Adorama missed. A quick release instead of the screw to attach the rail to the camera so if you need to walk to the next shot you do not find yourself walking with your camera dangling around your neck with the bulky 1 1/2lbs. rail. The rail should have a quick release and be attached to a ball head with a quick release that is attached to a macro photography type tripod. The rail quick release will allow you to walk with it attached to the tripod and have no need to break it down or keep it attached to your camera.
Over-all a very good product.

44 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good value for the price, October 3, 2009

By 

Steven E. Ellis "SC_Steve" (SC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Adorama Budget Macro Focusing Rail Set with 4 Way, Fine Control, Camera Focusing Rail for Macro Photography. (Electronics)

I bought this for my at-home photography and am evaluating it in comparison to a much more expensive unit I use at work. The long and short of it is that this is a very good value for the price you pay. I have three minor design criticisms. First, the mounting hole on the bottom is not centered - it's located towards the rear of the base. I have no idea why they designed it that way, but it should be in the middle. I've mounted a quick release plate onto the bottom and I just wish it was more centered. Second, the locking screws to set the rail once it's in position could be a little sturdier. Finally, I'm not certain this would be true for other brand cameras, but I have to take the camera off of the rail to get the battery out. That's a very minor point, especially since I've added a quick release to make this part easier.

I have a D80 w/ a 50mm lens reversed onto the front of a 70-300MM VR zoom. The whole thing is sitting on top of a second quick-release plate so that I can pop the rail on and off the tripod, and pop the camera on and off the rail very easily. With this setup, I have about a 5:1 enlargement, so the tolerances are pretty tight, and my DOF can be less than a MM. In use, I find the controls plenty precise for the macro work I do. You could pay 5 times as much for other rails, but you wouldn't get even a 2X improvement in the controls. In terms of rigidity, my setup is pretty heavy and even at full forward extension (maximum torque), it's nice and stable. If there's any wobble, I more suspect my ballhead and tripod sitting on carpet than the rail.

At work, I have a top of the line D300, VR macro lens, Gitzo tripod, Martins ballhead, and Novoflex rail. At home I have this focus rail, a D80, a reversed lens hodge-podge, Manfrotto 488RC2 ballhead w/ a couple of integrated RC2 connectors and bases incorporated into the system, and a Giottos tripod. In price comparison, the work setup is at least 2X more expensive than the home setup. Comparing these two configurations, I actually get more extreme macro with plenty of pixels for cropping out the darkened corners, and can do focus stacking to get more DOF. It takes a little longer, and the whole system is a little clunky, but hobbies are supposed to take up time, right?

I'd have no trouble recommending this macro rail to anyone. You can save enough on the rail to get yourself a very nice slave/ring flash (I got the SB600). The side to side movement is a nice feature and works pretty well. Marking are nice and clear and the whole thing feels pretty solid. I'd say this one follows the 80:20 rule (80% of maximum resutls for 20% of the investment). It's a compromise in some minor respects, but I'm not at all sorry I got it. I'm glad to have spent my savings on other equally critical system elements.

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well built focusing rail system, April 18, 2008

By 

Jon Almada (Shingle Springs, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Adorama Budget Macro Focusing Rail Set with 4 Way, Fine Control, Camera Focusing Rail for Macro Photography. (Electronics)

I just received my focusing rail fro Adorama. Very well built, smooth travel on either axis and made of heavy duty materials. Best of all, it says "JAPAN" on the outside - What do you know! A product not made in China! All in all, performs well and is a real tool that will last for many many years.

Worth every penny for macro work. I've tested mine and it does a wonderful job.