Help with macro rail decision please!

[topcatproduction]

I'd like to buy a cheapish macro rail, I know one is twice the price of the other, but the cheap one gets suprisingly good reviews on amazon etc, though the more expensive one does look like a very nice bit of kit, only half the movement of the cheapy but I'm sure I can get within 60mm with the tripod position?!

So go with the cheap generally liked one- or gamble on the one with less movement but looks fantastic?!?!

Cheap one:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Macro-Focusin...cessories_TripodsSupports?hash=item56337b4c86

Better one:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/4Way-Macro-Fo...cessories_TripodsSupports?hash=item56348bc00c

 

[Canon Bob]

I've had the cheapy...it's good value but the high mount position makes it a little unstable. The Velbon is also good VFM and much more stable although it lacks the scale for focus stacking....you do quickly get the feel for it though. I still have the Velbon as a lightweight carrying option but finally settled on a Novoflex Castel-Q (Doubled) as being the ultimate class act (within the limits of my outlay atleast).

Bob

 

[topcatproduction]

Really only 2 people out there with macro rails?

 

[animal168]

the sturdier the better, which usually computes to more outlay
you wont regret it

 

[Euan]

The old saying of buy cheap buy twice. Get the one you really want as you probably will in the end.

 

[Dogfish_magnet]

I've had both.........and still have the velbon

 

[Canon Bob]

I'd be a little dismissive of the reviews on Amazon or any other site when looking at items like this. Anyone reviewing the cheapy is very unlikely to have had the better one to offer any worthwhile comparison.

The classic rule applies....buy the best you can afford and generally higher prices reflect an increase in quality.

Bob

 

[GarynLea]

Have you thought about the manfrotto one MN454? I use it and it does the job

 

[Dogfish_magnet]

Have you thought about the manfrotto one MN454? I use it and it does the job

I've had one of those as well it dose have a scale but i prefer the velbon.

 

[AndyBorzi]

I'm in the market for one also.

@Dogfish...why did you prefer the Velbon over the Manfrotto?

 

[Dogfish_magnet]

I'm in the market for one also.

@Dogfish...why did you prefer the Velbon over the Manfrotto?

it has left / right adjustment and a smoother adjustment, with bigger adjustment wheels making finer adjustments easier.

 

[AndyBorzi]

Ah ok. Thx

 

[topcatproduction]

Cool, one reason I wasn't sure is that the Velbon only has 60mm of movement- is it a pain or enough?

 

[Canon Bob]

60mm is more than enough. The Velbon tripod mount is at the back and I start with the carriage almost fully back (10mm or so from the stop) and then focus forwards...probably never go more than 10-15mm. If you used the full 60mm of forward travel then the weight of the body and lens would be well ahead of the mount and stability is reduced.

Bob

 

[J Bruja]

I purchased the x-y slide and bellows from Linkdelight, China not too long ago. I took some of the play out of the slide controls and now it works well with the bellows. Here is a link to my setup using a Slik U212DX tripod and gas can. I was snooping on some very small ants using a Nikon D300 and Rokinon 85mm f/1.4 manual focus lens.

http://www.photoshop.com/user/arsk0...re&galleryid=7a1f8653fd894d1a95b181a5a665bd91

 

[seriousrikk]

I have the cheapy. I don't use it any more.

It is fine with a lightweight camera but my 50D + Sigma 150mm + 550EX flash is simply too much for it at any angle other than horizontal. Even then it is not really that stable until you really ramp the tension up (And then it is near impossible to move!).

This coupled with the ridiculous placement of the tripod mount stopped me from using it.