Pentax Macro Rail Review
After having used the macro rail on several outings, here are my comments:
I like it and it makes a big difference in ease of composition and
positioning. As opposed to minutely repositioning the tripod to adjust for
the shallow DOF with macro shots, which is hard to do, you simply use the
adjustment on the macro rail to move your camera/lens closer to or further
away from the subject. To be effective however, one must remember to
reposition the macro rail at mid-point of its travel range prior to setting
up the tripod, otherwise there's a 50/50 chance the macro rail is already
cranked to a position that is close to one end of it's range of travel
(meaning you still must move the tripod). I found myself frequently
forgetting this obvious fact.
When the macro rail is adjusted forward, meaning the camera/lens is closer
to the subject, the rail that is behind the camera (between you and the
camera) tends to get in the way of your chin. I found this annoying at
first, but became accustomed to it and it's not a problem.
I generally use the Bogen Grip Ball Head and found when shooting other than
in a landscape orientation, that the combined weight of the macro rail and a
PZ-1p were enough to overcome the friction of the ball head grip. The
ballhead would allow the camera to slip downwards very slowly, especially
when the macro rail was at the long end of it's range (camera further away).
Physics 101. This may be my #1 complaint, though it's not a result of the
macro rail, but because I was using the wrong, albeit most convenient,
tripod head. I have a preference for ball heads over other types and may
invest in a heftier non-grip style ball head, that I can lock more tightly.
It makes sense to purchase a second quick release plate to keep on the macro
rail. The macro rail will attach to the tripod with the quick release
plate. The camera body attaches via its tripod screw plate to a screw on
the macro rail. You'll need to remove the camera's quick release plate to
use it with macro rail, but at least you'll have two quick release plates
and won't ever need to remove the one from the macro rail.
I have read on the list where some macro rails allow travel along two axes
instead of just one. I can see where this type of macro rail would be
potentially twice as useful as one that travels along just one axis.
Tom C.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dan Scott" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Wednesday, May 09, 2001 7:50 PM
Subject: Re: Macro Rail & Extension Tubes
> That's great! Is it Pentax? Could you write up your thoughts on the pros
> and cons of using one in the field after you shoot with it for a little
> while? I've been considering one myself for quite awhile, since macro
> wildflower shots are 9/10 of what I shoot.
>
> Dan Scott
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> >
> >So today, I get to purchase brand new unused macro rail and auto-K
extension
> >tube set for less than 50% of the items if I purchased them brand new
today.
> >
> >As I was taking macro shots of wildflowers this morning, before going to
> >work, I had immediately become aware of the desirability of macro rails.
> >
> >Tom C.
> >
>
>
>
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