Hands-On Review: Oben Macro Focusing Rails & 3-Way Geared Tripod Head

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Hands-On Review: Oben Macro Focusing Rails & 3-Way Geared Tripod Head

Macro photography demands precision. Mere millimeters can determine an image’s success. To help small-scale photographers, tripod and accessories manufacturer Oben has released a new pair of macro focusing rails in 4” FRM-4S and 7” FRM-4L options—available separately and together as a kit. Recently, I was able to get my hands on the new focusing rails, along with Oben’s GH3W-15 Geared Head and sturdy ALF-6193L Skysill Aluminum Tripod, and take the whole group for a spin.

Oben Macro Focusing Rail (4")
Oben Macro Focusing Rail (4")

To the touch, all the accessories were well-made and solid. They looked quite handsome together too in their matching black aluminum. They had heft, which is why I had them delivered to my South Brooklyn apartment in lieu of lugging them on the subway. As much as everything felt good and sturdy in my hand—and all of them coming with some kind of bag for protection and portability – the set-up seems destined to spend most of its time in one spot. Individually, the focusing rails—which can be stacked and used in tandem to create two axes of precision mounting—weigh 12.4 oz and 1.1 lb for the short and long versions and, with their removable feet and threaded 3/8”-16 mount and 1/4"-20 reducing bushing, could still travel well with a more field-friendly tripod, like the Oben CQL-13.

Hands-On Review: Oben Macro Focusing Rails & 3-Way Geared Tripod Head
Luke Rollins

Discerning (and aged) eyes might recognize the camera as an old Canon PowerShot G10, a 2008 prosumer point-and-shoot for which I have some affection. I had to unearth it because, as it turns out, its lens is the only macro lens I own. Small and lightweight, it didn’t give much of a stress test to the Oben accessories, of which the focusing rails can handle loads of up to 22 lb each and the three-way geared head and tripod can wield 15 lb and 17.6 lb, respectively.

Hands-On Review: Oben Macro Focusing Rails & 3-Way Geared Tripod Head
Luke Rollins

Like my experience with all Oben equipment, both set up and use were quick and intuitive. The three-way geared head was particularly useful in achieving the micro-adjustments for both front and lateral tilt. As someone more accustomed to cheaper and weaker tripod heads, where the plate ends up resting at a centimeter or so lower than where you set it, the ease and reliability of setting the GH3W-15 was a revelation. 

Oben GH3W-15 3-Way Geared Head
Oben GH3W-15 3-Way Geared Head

I opted for the 7” FRM-7L focusing rail for the shot, if only to give myself more room to adjust. Both focusing rails are Arca-type compatible and come with an included plate, while the mounting platforms can be rotated a full 360° with 90° stop-points. The adjustment knobs are all easy to grip with smooth but firm resistance that can also be adjusted to accommodate larger lenses. The focus adjustment knob even has a fold-out drive crank that allows you to adjust without removing your eye from the viewfinder. Like everything else, setting the focus was quick and intuitive and reminded me of focusing with a large format camera, another slow and precision-heavy process.

Oben CQL-13 Compact Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod with Ball Head
Oben CQL-13 Compact Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod with Ball Head

Oben made a big splash recently with its CQL-13 Carbon-Fiber Tripod and is emerging as a go-to manufacturer for affordable accessories that don’t skimp on construction or ease of use. The FRM-4S and FRM-4L focusing rails, along with the GH3W-15 three-way geared tripod head, are further proof that good, solid accessories that can take your work to the next level need not break the bank.

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