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Focusing rails

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pw31459 says:

Hi, I am thing of buying a focusing rail, have seen several like this

cgi.ebay.co.uk/4-Way-Macro-Shot-Focusing-Rail-Truck-MINOL...

on ebay and was wondering if anyone had any experience of using one and what they thought of it. Also what happened about paying any import duty (I'm in the UK) if you brought one

Many thanks
Posted at 7:30AM, 24 November 2007 PDT ( permalink )

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cbkiyanda says:

Did you ever buy the rails? If you haven't, alternatively, you could by something like this:

cgi.ebay.co.uk/MINOLTA-AUTO-BELLOWS-ROKKOR_W0QQitemZ33021...

The bellows unscrews and the rail can be used on it's own. You only have one axis of motion, but I find it to be plenty. Very sturdy. I bought one of those and haven't regretted it the least.
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

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VanDerMouche  Pro User  says:

I am looking for a macro rail as well. I have also seen a velbon version with a worm gear, which I think is more precise.
cgi.ebay.ca/Velbon-4-Way-Super-Mag-Macro-Slider-Rail-for-...

The minolta seems good, but is is more expensive... Post your review after buying.

Have a nice day.
Originally posted 5 months ago. ( permalink )
VanDerMouche edited this topic 5 months ago.

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Nantonos  Pro User  says:

I have seen the velbon magnesium rails in my local photo shop, but the price of 149 euro put me off.

I do have a cheap, Chinese-made no-name set of four-way focussing rails, but the weight (plus how far they shift the centre of gravity) is more than my velbon table-top tripod can stand without wobbling.

The link by the original poster no longer works, so I'm not rure if its similar or not.
Posted 5 months ago. ( permalink )

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funadium  Pro User  says:

The 4-way-macro-shot-focusing-rail are always the same:
cgi.ebay.it/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350045892467
There are some of them with a "buy now" astounding price (the one above at 77.76 GBP / 97 euro) so who get it for 40 euro think to make a bargain.
For those things I usually don't offer more than 5 euro, their real value. Soon or later I'll get one, I hope...
Posted 5 months ago. ( permalink )

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pw31459 says:

I brought a Manfrotto MN454 rail which was a good length and had fine control but unfortunately the camera wobbled up and down quite a lot when the rail was moved backwards and forwards. This meant that when the rail was locked down the composition and focus would change. I sent it back and now have a second-hand novoflex rail which is shorter and therefore lighter and more portable. It has courser movement but holds the camera steady.
Posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

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