So last month a new iteration of the Hejnar MS5_8 macro rail has been announced.
That is the MS5P_8 Arca-Swiss® compatible Linear Motion focusing macro rail.
Obviously as its name denotes it's still an 8" focusing stage, introduced as a direct upgrade of the original MS5_8 with an added "P" at the end of the model name. This "P" now, denotes a push button release mechanism coming from the earlier MS-3_8 Linear Motion Macro Focusing Stage (review) instread of the brass slider release lever of the MS5_8.
Otherwise, the MS5P_8 features the same lead screw offering 1.06 mm travel (0.0417") per one rotation of the knob(s) with a maximum travel distance of 3.5 inch (89 mm).
However, the changes on the slider release mechanism resulted in a simpler product with less components, lighter by 90 gr and cheaper by US$ 50.00. Not bad, really!
Packaging and Contents
The Rail structure
| Manufacturer Specification: | |
|---|---|
| Model: | MS5P_8 |
| Rail Length: | 203 mm (8") |
| Overall length: | 267 mm (10.5") |
| Width: | 95,25 mm (3.75") |
| Height (Thickness): | 45,72 mm (1.8") w/o QR clamp 71.7 mm (2.825") with F63b QR clamp |
| Weight: | 911 gr (2.0 lbs) |
| Materials: | Precision C.N.C. machined 6061-T6 Aluminium, Black hard coat anodized, Stainless Steel and Self Aligning Linear Sleeve Bearings (slider). |
| Hardware: | Stainless Steel |
| Made in: | U.S.A. |
Same as all the latest Hejnar Macro stages the outer shell is aluminum with a 0.002" thick ceramic coating for added corrosion resistance and endurance at a temperature range of –400° F to +375° F (-240° C to +190° C ).
 |
| Although both 8" long, the MS5P_8 maintains the structure of the MS5_8 in width than the MS3 enhancing its strength and stability characteristics while it comes with the wide F63b QR clamp by default. The lead screw is driven by two large knobs one at each end of the screw, providing access from both sides. |
 |
| Fast positioning of the slider is effected now by pressing the chrome slider release push button shown above, just under the carriage. |
 |
| The MS5P_8 follows the same design as the MS5_8 but also the Micrometric MS4_8 and 10. It features Self Aligning Linear Sleeve Bearings. Having a nonabrasive, chemical-resistant PTFE liner they don't require any additional lubrication, consisting them virtually maintenance free. |
The F63b Quick Release Clamp
| Manufacturer Specification: | |
|---|---|
| Model: | F63b |
| Jaw Length: | 3.25" (82 mm) |
| Weight: | 135 gr (4.7 oz) |
| Countersunk/threaded holes: | Three (1 x 3/8"-16 center hole and 2 x 1/4"-20 outside 45 mm apart) |
| Safety Stop Relief Grooves: | Two |
| Long Captive Screw Knob: | Stops at maximum opening |
| Material: | Precision C.N.C. machined 6061-T6 Aluminium |
| Color: | Black hard coat anodized |
| Hardware: | Stainless Steel |
| Made in : | USA |
We have come across the Hejnar F63b QR clamp quite many times recently. It is compatible with virtually any Arca style Quick Release plate. Since it is not integrated into the slider, it can be dismounted and mounted in any orientation, but also used on a ball head or other equipment at will.
 |
| The slider is equipped with the larger Hejnar Photo F63b 3.25" (82mm) long Arca Swiss® compatible Quick Release clamp, which sports two extra mounting / alignment screws within the safety relief grooves. (b at the end of the model name stands for long black knob). |
In the picture above the clamp is attached on the slider by one 1/4"-20 flat head screw through its center hole. Two M4 flat head screws can be used as alignment screws on the sides of the center screw at any orientation. All screws can be easily loosened by the included Allen hex keys in order to be reoriented at users will, in 90° increments, so as to place the clamp jaws either parallel or perpendicular to the slider and the protruding srew-knob at any side the user finds more convenient.
When the clamp is mounted perpendicularly to the slider, then the large clamp area becomes a convenient wide platform for lateral adjustment of the camera within the clamp.
QR Clamp Reorientation
As mentioned in the beginning the Quick Release Clamp that comes with the MS-3_8 is removable so it can be reoriented in order to accommodate plates oriented perpendicular to the base rail axis, as a camera plate, or in parallel to the base rail axis, as most lens plates are.
The Arca Dovetail
When the MS5P_8 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 adjusted by moving the whole stage within the ball head clamp limits via its bottom Rail and further engage in extra-fine adjustments using the lead screw knobs.
 |
| 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 while an 1/4"-20 threaded center hole on the brace in the center of the rail, allows for direct mounting on a pod with a similar 1/4"-20 stud. |
 |
| The MS5P_8 comes with M3 safety stop screws pre-installed at both ends of the bottom rail, thus not allowing the large stage to fall off from a loosely tightened quick release clamp. |
The MS5P Linear Motion Macro Rail Family
Now the Hejnar MS5P family of Linear Motion macro rails is comprised by three members. The Original MS5P_8 i.e. 8 inch length rail without scales, the newcomer MS5PS_8 an equally sized rail with metric scale on the side and the top MS5DSP which is slightly longer and larger featuring a Digital Scale. More information about the features of the MS5P family and specifically about the older rails may be found in their respective articles Updated Linear Motion MS5 DSP Macro Rail with Digital Scale from Hejnar PHOTO and Hejnar PHOTO MS5P 8" Linear Motion Lead Screw Macro Rail Preview.
 |
| On the left Hejnar MS5_8, the new MS5_PS in the middle and the high end MS5_DSP on the right. |
Comparison with the MS-3_8 Macro Focusing Stage
Hejnar PHOTO MS-3_8 Linear Motion Macro Focusing Stage Review
Capacity
The MS5P_8 rail, is not different than the other Hajnar Macro Stages, which can operate 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).
Compatibility
Standard Hejnar choice of materials, manufacturing quality, fine adjustment and last but not least, Arca Swiss® compatibility bring this Linear Focusing stage to the top choices.
Arca-Swiss® compatible dovetails from Hejnar Photo work with Arca type clamps from:
- Markins® including lever release clamp
- Really Right Stuff®, including lever release clamp.
- Arca Swiss®
- Wimberley®
- Kirk®
- Photo Clam®
- Foba® (Foba uses different safety stop mechanism, so safety stops may need removing)
- Vanguard ABH Series Ball Heads (ABH is Vangaurds only Arca-Compatible series)
- Custom Brackets®
- Jobu Design®
- Acratech®
Setting up the Macro Focusing Stage
Using the Macro Focusing Stage
In order to illustrate the use of the MS5P_8, I chose to present a preview of my macro rig, which is quite heavy and bulky, thus most appropriate for the evaluation of the qualities or shortcomings of the macro focusing stage.
Under Construction
Pros
Very nice design, machining and engineering.
Very good hard coat anodizing and finishing.
Excellent versatility and operational smoothness, with dual knob lead screw.
Excellent strength and torsional behavior.
Very good value for money for the quality standards.
Cons
No decimal scales present to determine movement increments.
Not affordable by everybody.
Conclusion
Once you load this macro stage with substantially heavy equipment like my macro rig setup, and feel the sturdiness, the stability and smoothness of operation in any angle, even vertically, then it is very difficult to go back using cheaper macro slide alternatives.
My only concern is the visibility of the one and only laser engraved decimal scale from any angle, especially when the stage is topped with bulky gear. However, based on past experience, I'm confident that Chris Hejnar will find a way to improve and apply more decimal scales appropriately.
Nevertheless, MS5P_8 macro stage is an excellent piece of photographic support gear!
Disclaimer:
This review and test was run on a single product sample, using the specifically described methods. Independent of the favorable or unfavorable results of any test, a test on a single product can not be used as a rule, unless more samples of the same product are tested. Furthermore, similar comparison tests should be run with comparative capabilities products so as to reach a solid conclusion.
Note: The MS5P_8 Macro Focusing Rail presented in this article was kindly offered for evaluation and review by Hejnar Photo. Many thanks.
Photos and Photosynths ©2016-2018 S.C.Vlachos
Some Photos by courtesy of: Hejnar PHOTO ©2016-2018 Chris Hejnar
Price & Availability:
Current price for the MS5P_8 Lead Screw Macro rail is US$ 335.00 (+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 the current valid Hejnar Photo discount coupon before placing your order in the Hejnar online store.
Relevant Articles:
Two New 50 mm Linear Motion Lead Screw Macro Rails from Hejnar PHOTO
New Hejnar PHOTO Linear Motion Micrometer Macro / Micro Rail
No comments :
Post a Comment