Nisi Macro Focusing Rail Unboxing and First Impressions 

The Nisi is the 3rd rail I own. I just got one. The other two that I have are the Manfrotto and a Really Right Stuff. I like this one, especially the top clamp that swings around for use on lens shoes and L-brackets which have a 90 deg difference relative to the lens . It is the only inexpensive rail that I have tried that doesn't seem to move around too much at high magnifications (3x+). This may be the individual rail I got. It is very smooth, but that could be the grease that Stewart mentioned. I should grease my other rails and see how they work. But, so far so good. I only use the rails indoors so the grease hasn't been an issue for me - so far. Thanks for the video.

Got one a few weeks ago for water droplet photography, nice bit of kit.

Using a camera specific cage helps with lining up along the (focal) axis and the addition of a longer winding handle makes small movements easier, I have a similar rail from a different manufacturer and simply drilled a hole through the handle and inserted a 3 inch bolt. Crude but functional.

I have a similar rail. Also had a lot of grease lubrication. I wiped down with a tissue so it was a tin film and it worked fine. WD40 works obvs, but it depends if you have locking bolts

In regards to the grease, the manufacturer just overloads it on the exposed metal so that it doesn’t arrive to the consumer with rust spots on it. I tend to always wipe off the excess grease on all products that have it because it collects dirt and makes it harder to thread because of the buildup of residue/dirt. You could probably use a dry lubricant which allows for smoother threading without collecting residue, especially if you use it in the field. Love you videos and keep up the great content. I am considering starting a macro photography RU-vid channel because of your inspiration. We shall see if that pans out.

Hi Stewart, great review, looking forward to your next one in the field. I am looking to purchase a macro rail and this one looks very good. I noticed in your review you tethered to your computer, this is something I would like to do but the canon software doesn't seem to be too accurate, could I ask what software you used in your review, many thanks

Interesting to see that there is a difference in the hardware on my NM-180. The silver disc in the center takes a single allen key. I see at 1:23 that yours has 4. I have seen other videos with the solid single disc type. I wonder why there are two versions.

Thanks Stewart for this intro video on the Nisi focusing rail. Have you used other focusing rails? How do you they compare. And what software are you using for the stacking?

Can you move the slider on the rail using the knob on the other end instead of the one with the handle? Allan Walls in his review suggests that you can use it with less wobble when moving the head.

How does this compare to the Manfrotto equivalent? Seen some awful reviews on the Manfrotto🙄

Well done! :)

Hi Stewart! I’m a huge fan! I’ve been watching your videos for the last few weeks! I love spiderssss and just want to learn how to take great pictures of them 🤗 I’m a beginner, and don’t have a dslr yet. Which one do you recommend? Do you know Canon T6, T7 or SL3? What do you think? I’ve watched your videos where you talk about some cameras, but here in Brazil they’re tooooo expensive unfortunately (80D, 90D, Mark IV...)! Right now, I have to learn more how to actually understand and work with a dslr. Can you please help me? Any tips? Thank youuuu!!!

Do not look blind on the scale 160mm. The sled is about 5cm so travel range is 16-5 = 11cm (4 1/3 inch)

How much does the rail move with each rotation of the handle? If it moves 1mm per turn you can get more precise with adjustments in your photo stacks. You can 3D print precision knobs to slip on the small knob. For example you can make a knob that has divisions every 18 degrees around the circumference to get 20 divisions or 0.05mm movement per division. Other rails out there don’t have a 1mm per rotation thread pitch.

It looks very helpful for me as unfortunately I can only use one hand because I lost my hand up to the wrist in an accident.

Own one for about one month now and it's ok. When you use it in the field the rotating head works loose and becomes hard to tighten down all the way. I wish there was a better way to lock it in one position.

Plenty of bugs out there still! Not sure I'd take one of these out into the field though. Maybe I'll give it a try.

I have a Neewer rail for about a year and never used it!! Anyone else has used this rail?

'Fumbling around in your bush!' Now there's an interesting concept! LOL Sorry! I'm so rude! Anyway in all seriousness Stewart, another great review and a product that I've been hanging my nose over for some time. I'll add it to the ever-growing list of 'I wants'. Unfortunately I'm up to about £3,000 of 'I wants'. lol

Stewart, In the focusing images I see there are focus line up arrows are these in the remote program you are using or is it a function of the new canon cameras.

What’s wrong with crappy leaf photos?

It seems to move about too much for my liking.

Crappy leaf photos?, perhaps we should all photograph crappy spiders.

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Sorry to be critical, but to me this looks like an expensive compromise that misses the point of a focusing rail. I imagine most buyers would be using it in a studio rather than on a tripod in the garden. The hula-hula movement when that handle was turning was shocking! In my opinion, if the slides and rods aren't absolutely smooth in motion and rock-solid when still, it's not worth buying. I used to do a bit of astronomy, and mounting a big telescope adequately [sic] has always been a problem. The mounting must be TOTALLY rigid, but also capable of micro-millimetric fingertip adjustment with zero wobble or backlash. Spending tens of thousands of pounds is one option; I've always been skint, so I built my own from cheapo DIY materials. Cost about £80. Looked awfully crude - no nice anodised aluminium or smooth, machined parts - but it did the job. There are lots of expensive but sloppy telescope mounts on the market that are literally useless. I think the same may apply to focusing rails. Rather than spend hundreds of pounds on an unsatisfactory model, I think it'd be better to save the cash for lenses and make something from scratch. I did. Again, mine's certainly not pretty, but it works smoothly enough on (roller-skate!) ball bearings. It has no slop, backlash or wobble, and it only cost £24 in materials. I thought about fitting it with a motorised drive, but my macro photography isn't good enough to justify it! I know serious camera peeps like their gear to look 'pro', but I couldn't give two hoots (🦉🦉) about appearances. Unless you can afford a professional laboratory-standard rail (£5,000?), I think you'd be better off giving this kind of device a miss, and making something in the shed. (Just my opinion...)

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Looks like a decent rail for low magnification stacks. IG handle for the giveaway: @issai.campos

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