Make a Focusing Rail for Macro Photography

A focusing rail greatly enhances the quality of your macro photography. Being able to inch closer and closer to your subject in tiny increments improves the quality of your macros.

Steps

 * 1)  Have the tripod head for your focusing rail. You will want something like a ball head that you would attach to a tripod. This is not a quick release attachment. That will not work.
 * 2) Get your vise. You can find these at your local garden and construction supply store; a place like Lowe's or Home Depot (US). It will be something along the lines of a 4 in vise.[[Image:Vise.jpg|center]]
 * 3)  Determine the exact physical center of the vise. This makes it easier to get a 360 degree of movement and improves its range of motion. Mark it with whatever you have for reference.  [[Image:Jewellery material 21.jpg|center|550px|thumb|The vise is the blue one]]
 * 4)  Drill a hole through the base of the vise. This is where you are going to attach the tripod head.
 * 5) Fasten your tripod head that you are going to use.
 * 6) Drill a hole through the base of the vise and through the metal plate on the top. If you need to, take apart the vise.
 * 7)  Be sure that the hole will be big enough for the stud to fit through.
 * 8)  Screw the drill into place. You may want to add some type of metal adhesive. Or, if you are good with tools, use a soldering tool around where the stud meets the metal of the bench top vise. This will provide for a more secure connection than just adhesive.
 * 9)  Screw on either the tripod head or bracket, and add your camera.

Things You'll Need

 * Bench top vise (steel construction is better)
 * 3/8 in stud
 * Soldering tool or adhesive glue
 * Old or cheap tripod (you need the head of it)

Related wikiHows

 * Shoot for Focus Stacking
 * Make a Macro Focusing Light
 * Do Hadouken Photography

Sources and Citations

 * Original information found at BrightHub.com