New Linear Motion Lead Screw 25 mm Macro Rail from Hejnar PHOTO

Another member was recently added to the Hejnar PHOTO family of Linear Motion focusing macro rails and macro stages.

The design concept of the brand new MS4-100-1 fits between the original MS-3_8 Linear Motion Macro Focusing Stage and the high precision MS4 with Micrometric Head, but with a more affordable price tag than both.

It is based on the smaller 25 mm MS4 Macro Rail but instead of a Micrometer Head it uses a Precision Lead Screw with a 100 TPI extra fine movement which requires a 100 rotations of the screw in order to move 1".

This in turn translates into 0.0254 mm movement per rotation of the knob.

The Rail structure

Manufacturer Specification:
Model:	MS4-100-1
Length:	160 mm (6.3")
Total length set at 25 mm:	254 mm (10")
Width:	55 mm (2.18")
Heigth (Thickness):	63.5mm (2.5") with F72b QR clamp
Weight:	760 gr ( 1 lbs 11 oz)
Materials:	Precision C.N.C. machined 6061-T6 Aluminium, Black hard coat anodized, Stainless Steel and Wear- and Water-Resistant Delrin® Acetal Resin (slider)
Hardware:	Stainless Steel
Made in:	U.S.A.

The MS4-100-1 shares exactly the same parts with its siblings. The rail, the base and moving structure and the clamp are made from Black hard coat anodized Aluminium. While the slider bars and the lead screw adjustment mechanism are made from Stainless Steel and Wear & Water-Resistant Delrin® Acetal Resin ( see Polyoxymethylene ).
The focusing rail has a length of 6.3" (16 cm) while its total length with lead screw knob is 10" (25,4 cm). It is 2.18" (5,54 cm) wide by 2.5" (6,35 cm) thick including the quick release clamp. Total Weight 1lb 11oz (760g).

The Mitutoyo Micrometer Head of the MS4 has been replaced by a lead adjusting screw with equal 0-25mm range of movement. Unfortunately the micrometric scale is also lost in the name of simplicity and cost reduction.

The Quick Release Clamp

Similarities continue, since the slider is equipped with the Hejnar Photo F72b 2.375" (6 cm) long Arca Swiss® compatible Quick Release clamp, which sports an embedded bubble level in one of the safety relief grooves. (b at the end of the model name stands for long black knob).
The clamp is retained on the slider by a 1/4"-20 flat head screw, which can be easily loosened in order to reveal the relevant threaded hole and the alignment dowel pins.
As all Hejnar PHOTO clamps, F72b has corresponding 5mm holes at its bottom for the proper alignment and reorientation on compatible Hejnar rails or clamps.

Just by relocating the dowel pins, the screw knob of the quick release clamp can be reoriented by 90 degrees, at any four positions suitable to the users needs. Then the center 1/4"-20 mounting screw needs to be tightened again securing it in place.

The bottom rail is equipped with an Arca Swiss® compatible dovetail, so it can be used with any head equipped with an Arca compatible clamp. The rail now features M3 safety stop screws at both ends and a threaded center hole on the rail brace for direct mounting on a tripod.

Nevertheless, when the MS4-100-1 Linear Motion lead screw adjusting macro rail is mounted on a Tripod Head equipped with an Arca-Swiss® compatible clamp, the camera to subject distance can be roughly adjusted by moving the base Rail within the clamp limits and further engage in extra-fine adjustments using the lead screw.

The lead screw fine adjustment is a cost effective alternative to micrometers when position readout is not a requirement.

According to the manufacturer, the MS4 family rails work in vertical orientation (perpendicular to the ground) with a load up to 10 lb (4,53 kg), while in horizontal orientation (parallel to the ground) the load can be increased up to 15 lb (6,80 kg).

The choice of materials, manufacturing quality, extra fine adjustment and last but not least, Arca Swiss® compatibility make this Linear Focusing rail really outstanding.
Both the base rail dovetail and the QR Clamp are compatible with Kirk®, R.R.S.®, Arca-Swiss®, and almost all other Arca-Swiss style Quick release clamps and plates respectfully.

I hope you found the article useful, thank you for viewing.
All Photos used by permission: © 2015 Chris Hejnar / Hejnar PHOTO

Price & Availability:
Current price for the MS4-100-1 Lead Screw Macro rail is US$ 310.00 (+Shipping where applicable) and is available from the Hejnar Photo online Store.

If you are interested in the product, do check the Recommended Sellers page for a valid Hejnar Photo discount coupon before ordering.

Relevant Articles:
Two New 50 mm Linear Motion Lead Screw Macro Rails from Hejnar PHOTO
New Hejnar PHOTO Linear Motion Micrometer Macro / Micro Rail
New 50mm Linear Motion Micrometer Macro / Micro Rail from Hejnar PHOTO
Hejnar PHOTO MS-3_8 Linear Motion Macro Focusing Stage Review