Sunwayfoto Mfr-150s Wormdrive Macro Rail W Arca / Rrs Compatible Clamp for Precision Focus Review

Sunwayfoto MFR-150S Macro Focusing Rail overview

One-time after the release of their starting time Macro Focusing Rails the Sunwayfoto MFR-150 Wormdrive Macro Focusing Rail with Lever Clamp, Sunwayfoto has introduced a sister model with almost only difference the quick release clamp type integrated on the carriage.

The newer Sunwayfoto MFR-150S is equipped with a archetype Spiral Knob QR clamp instead of the Lever Release Clamp. Thus the S at the end of the model proper name. Otherwise there are no noticeable differences betwixt the two.

Although not confirmed, I tin can speculate that the Lever Release clamp was replaced with a Screw Knob one, in order to make the MFR-150 directly marketable in the United states where RRS® dominates the Lever Release clamp patents.

For the newcomers, the Sunwayfoto MFR-150S is a dual dovetail rail which features a carriage (stage) with an integral Arca compatible Spiral knob QR Clamp ready perpendicularly to the rail length. This carriage slides back-forth along the upper dovetail by means of a Lead Spiral / Wormdrive mechanism.

The Runway structure

Manufacturer Specification:
Model:	MFR-150
Total Length:	217 mm (viii.54")
Rail Length:	160 mm (6.29")
Effective Length:	150 mm (v.90")
Full Width:	53 mm (two.09")
Track Width:	39 mm (1.53")
Heigth (Thickness):	33 mm (ane.3") w/ clamp and crank
Weight:	279 gr ( 9.84 oz)
Quick Release Clamp:	l mm (1.97") Adjustable Lever Release
Max Load:	seven Kg (15.43 lb) Varies with angle of load

Construction of the MFR-150 complies with the Sunwayfoto standard procedures as information technology is CNC machined from T6061 Aerospace course Aluminium alloy and and so difficult anodized according military specification Type III which ensures abrasion and corrosion resistance for many years. So Sunwayfoto covers their products past an extended 6 year Warranty upon registration.

The design concept is non and so new merely the MFR-150 innovations are maintained making it an appealing candidate when looking for a Macro Focusing Rail. Add the low price and you lot might end upward with a deal.

Here, since the large lever clamp which dominates the surface of the MFR-150 is not present, i'south eye drops immediately on the lead spiral control knob equipped with a Manus-Crank on one side. The other side still has a normal Screw Knob though.
As I mentioned presenting the MFR-150, it is obvious that Sunwayfoto engineers tried to create a depression contour MFR, considering the distance of only 28 mm (ane.10") between the lower dovetail and the railroad vehicle (clamp) platform. Indeed it is critical to maintain a low heart of gravity for macro photography shooting. Unfortunately, this endeavor for a depression profile and utmost simplicity probably made them omit a lead screw release mechanism.
And so the innovation of a Mitt-Crank instead of knob on one side helps with quick relocation of the carriage / clamp.

Nevertheless, although the MFR-150S wagon/clamp is a few millimeters higher than the original MFR-150 due to the Screw Knob on the QR clamp, still the knob is kept small in order to fit under any camera plate and exist still manipulative i.due east. turned and tightened by the fingers. This is a reservation I need to verify later a hands on evaluation of the MFR-150S

Sunwayfoto MFR-150S Macro Focusing Rail front/sideview

Equally it was pointed out for the sister MFR-150, a depression contour railroad vehicle with integral QR clench blueprint serves well for depression profile and lightweight but does non permit for the QR clench re-orientation. Nosotros can't have everything, exercise we? Leave information technology for larger and far more expensive models. Even though well reputed with triple priced products don't have the feature.

Lead Screw Specification:
Aligning Range:	106 mm (4.17")
Full Aligning Range*:	220 mm (8.66")
Travel Per Revolution of knob:	1.25 mm (0.05")
Thread Pitch:	12.five mm (0.49")

*Total adjustment range takes into consideration also the dovetail length which enables for a crude fore-aft aligning inside a quick release clamp.

Co-ordinate to the Lead Screw specs the MFR-150S has decent carriage travel of 106 mm within the runway limits which doubles when taking into account its lower dovetail movement within a ball head clamp. The atomic number 82 screw mechanism provides adequately fine aligning of 1.25 mm travel /revolution of the knob, non bad at all for the price.

Same as with its sister MFR-150 the MFR-150S pattern maintains the innovative user adjustable tension of the atomic number 82 screw. The two "damping adjusting screws" on either side of the hand-crank accept the office of cleverly moving slightly the socket-balance of the lead spiral. By tightening the screws with the same included Torx driver, the socket moves forward thus increasing the tension and by loosening the screws the socket moves backwards decreasing the tension. In turn the tighter makes the screw-knob or the hand-crank experience stiffer and the looser makes them experience easier to plough.

Sunwayfoto MFR-150S Macro Focusing Rail damping adjustment screws

Sunwayfoto MFR-150S Macro Focusing Rails damping adjustment of rotational tension details

Despite the modify of type of the integral clamp on the carriage, the MFR-150S maintains the concept of the brake on i side of the carriage via a lock knob. By tightening the Knob the brake immobilizes the clamp increasing stability during macro shooting.

Sunwayfoto MFR-150S Macro Focusing Rail carriage brake detail

Sunwayfoto MFR-150S Macro Focusing Rail wagon side brake with lock knob detail

Both Sunwayfoto MFR-150 and MFR-150S Macro Focusing Rails are equipped with 2 M3 prophylactic screws A and B at either end of the runway in a diagonal placement due to the Lead Screw sockets in the centre. Safety screws will not allow the track to fall off from a semi tightened ball head clench. In this way securing your valuable gear from possible impairment.
Besides that it's obvious in the photo below that the MFR's are equipped with ii tapped 1/four"-20 holes in the middle of the base of operations, for direct mounting on a pod with such a stud.

Sunwayfoto MFR-150S Macro Focusing Rail safety screws

Sunwayfoto MFR-150S Macro Focusing Rail is equipped with two M3 safety screws.

Using the Macro Focusing Rail

A typical installation for a ground level macro shooting in nature is illustrated below. The MFR-150S is shown clamped on the top Sunwayfoto XB-52 Brawl head which in plough is mounted on a massive T1A20 low level shooting tripod.
Mind that the deep ruby color of the XB-52 is not mainstream as it is mostly used by Sunwayfoto marketing.

Sunwayfoto MFR-150 mounted on XB-52 ball head T1A20 Tripod

Next illustration adds a camera for single axis fore-aft micro adjusted macro shooting. A Nikon DSLR camera equipped with a macro lens is clamped on the MFR-150S via a universal DPL-02 L bracket. The support set is able to carry lots of weight fifty-fifty at steep angles, which is ideal for macro photography.

Nikon DSLR with macro lens on MFR-150S mounted on XB-52 and T1A20 Tripod

Nikon DSLR with macro lens clamped on MFR-150S and then mounted on XB-52 and T1A20 Tripod.

Nikon DSLR /macro combo on MFR-150S mounted on XB-52 and T1A20 Tripod II

Nikon DSLR w/macro lens clamped on MFR-150S / XB-52 / T1A20 Tripod combo closeup

For a dual centrality fine adjustment in both fore-aft and lateral axes, the combination of two MFR-150S units cross stacked offers the desired versatility maintaining a low profile.

Two Sunwayfoto MFR-150S stacked for 2 axis adjustment

Nikon DSLR clamped on stacked Sunwayfoto MFR-150S units

Co-ordinate to Sunwayfoto the MFR-150 is compatible with (but not limited to) Really Right stuff® (RRS), Wimberley®, Jobu Design®, Arca Swiss®, Kirk Enterprises®, Markins® and others.

I'm expecting a product unit of measurement of the MFR-150S for hands on evaluation, which I'll examination together with the sis MFR-150 with lever release clamp and hope to present them in an extensive review assessing their behavior under load and compare them with competition. Stay tuned.

Price & Availability:
Current retail price for the MFR-150S is United states of america$ 99.95 (+Free Shipping where applicable) and is bachelor from Amazon as well as from eBay listed in China for around United states$ 112.00 or the UK for GBP 89.99.

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