Thanks for the review. I have one in my bag that has only been used once or
twice partly because it was a pain to use on the tripod. I don't have a
manual for it, and never thought about the rear part moving instead of
moving the tripod. (Head banging against the wall) Will have to get it out
again soon, as I have enjoyed the macro shots in the PUG Gallery. By the
way, anyone got the manual for these things on the net somewhere, to learn
of more things that would be obvious to someone smarter than I?
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of aimcompute
> Sent: Wednesday, May 30, 2001 6:11 PM
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: Pentax Macro Rail Review
>
>
> 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.
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> > -
> > This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe,
> > go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to
> > visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
> >
>
> -
> This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe,
> go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to
> visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
>
-
This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe,
go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to
visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
