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With the innovative CASTEL-M
focusing carriage, NOVOFLEX has developed a focusing carriage for focus stacking with image scales of up to 5:1. Its unique design is aimed at photographers who frequently work with image scales from 1:1 to 5:1. CASTEL-M closes the gap between the stepper motor controlled CASTEL MICRO slide and the other manual adjustment slides in the NOVOFLEX range.
The ever decreasing depth of field at reproduction scales above 1:1 requires absolutely meticulous work. Only in this way can the distances between the individual shots of a stacking series be correctly selected and maintained. This guarantees later success within the stacking software.
Lenses such as the Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro Photo or the LAOWA 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5x Ultra Macro are very popular with many macro photographers and are often combined with the focus stacking technique.
To help macro photographers with this admittedly tedious work, the CASTEL-M not only has a spindle that drives the sliding piece with extreme precision, but for the first time also has usable click stops for reproduction scales of 2:1; 3:1; 4:1 and 5:1. These are controlled via the rear focus wheel and enable precise and repeatable click stops.
From now on, only one shot needs to be taken with each click of the focus wheel. This is because the necessary feed rate and the overlap of the individual shots are defined by the individual steps.
Another advantage is that the individual click stops are calculated in such a way as to avoid the occurrence of diffraction blur and are designed for use with cameras with a KB full-frame sensor (24x36) and connected Lens with an aperture of f4.0. The click stops also allow the use of cameras with APS-C sensors up to a reproduction scale of 4:1 and cameras with Four Thirds sensors up to a reproduction scale of 3:1.
Alternatively, the slide can of course also be used completely without click stops. To do this, simply work with the scale engraved on the focus wheel. One complete rotation of the ball-bearing-guided wheel corresponds to an advance of the slide by exactly 0.8 mm. The scaling enables repeatable steps of 0.01 mm feed.
For rough pre-focusing, the sliding block can be unhooked from the spindle and moved by hand. After positioning, it is securely hooked back into the spindle with the aid of a slider.
For use in product photography, the CASTEL-M can be equipped with the CASTBAL-PRO bellows attachment, transforming it into a technical camera. The stacking steps are carried out by moving the camera standard, while the lens standard remains stationary. This has the advantage that the position of the Lens does not change in relation to the subject, which can be important for controlling reflections in jewelry shots, for example.
In product photography, objects with a depth greater than 10 cm can also be easily stacked in this way, as only the focus is adjusted and therefore, in contrast to the usual stacking process, the entire distance does not have to be covered.
The advantage of the stacking method compared to the classic Scheimpflug tilt adjustment is obvious. With stacking, a uniform, maximum sharpness is achieved over the entire subject area (from front to back and simultaneously from top to bottom), whereas with the Scheimpflug method, maximum sharpness can only ever be achieved in one plane despite adjustment.
In addition, the top and bottom of the slide is of course fully integrated into the ARCA UniQ/C-compatible Q system. This means that the CASTEL-M accepts compatible interchangeable plates, NOVOFLEX bellows devices and NOVOFLEX adjustment slides for setting up a cross slide system in the 90 degree reversible quick coupling and can also be inserted and clamped directly in suitable coupling holders.
Technical data:
Length: 20.5cm
Width: 6.5cm at the sliding piece, 5cm at the rail, 5.5cm at the focus wheel
Height: 5.5cm measured at the focus wheel, 4.5cm rail with sliding piece and coupling
Weight: 679g
Travel of the sliding piece: 10cm
One full rotation of the focus wheel corresponds to 0.8mm feed
Laser-engraved scale on the focus wheel with 0.01mm graduation
Spindle M5 DIN13
Max. Max. load in vertical mounting: 4kg
Coupling mount: ARCA/ UniQ/c-compatible, rotatable by 90°, bubble level, safety pin for NOVOFLEX coupling plates
Rail: on the underside ARCA/ UniQ/c-compatible over the entire length, 1/4" and 3/8" thread
With the innovative CASTEL-M
focusing carriage, NOVOFLEX has developed a focusing carriage for focus stacking with image scales of up to 5:1. Its unique design is aimed at photographers who frequently work with image scales from 1:1 to 5:1. CASTEL-M closes the gap between the stepper motor controlled CASTEL MICRO slide and the other manual adjustment slides in the NOVOFLEX range.
The ever decreasing depth of field at reproduction scales above 1:1 requires absolutely meticulous work. Only in this way can the distances between the individual shots of a stacking series be correctly selected and maintained. This guarantees later success within the stacking software.
Lenses such as the Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro Photo or the LAOWA 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5x Ultra Macro are very popular with many macro photographers and are often combined with the focus stacking technique.
To help macro photographers with this admittedly tedious work, the CASTEL-M not only has a spindle that drives the sliding piece with extreme precision, but for the first time also has usable click stops for reproduction scales of 2:1; 3:1; 4:1 and 5:1. These are controlled via the rear focus wheel and enable precise and repeatable click stops.
From now on, only one shot needs to be taken with each click of the focus wheel. This is because the necessary feed rate and the overlap of the individual shots are defined by the individual steps.
Another advantage is that the individual click stops are calculated in such a way as to avoid the occurrence of diffraction blur and are designed for use with cameras with a KB full-frame sensor (24x36) and connected Lens with an aperture of f4.0. The click stops also allow the use of cameras with APS-C sensors up to a reproduction scale of 4:1 and cameras with Four Thirds sensors up to a reproduction scale of 3:1.
Alternatively, the slide can of course also be used completely without click stops. To do this, simply work with the scale engraved on the focus wheel. One complete rotation of the ball-bearing-guided wheel corresponds to an advance of the slide by exactly 0.8 mm. The scaling enables repeatable steps of 0.01 mm feed.
For rough pre-focusing, the sliding block can be unhooked from the spindle and moved by hand. After positioning, it is securely hooked back into the spindle with the aid of a slider.
For use in product photography, the CASTEL-M can be equipped with the CASTBAL-PRO bellows attachment, transforming it into a technical camera. The stacking steps are carried out by moving the camera standard, while the lens standard remains stationary. This has the advantage that the position of the Lens does not change in relation to the subject, which can be important for controlling reflections in jewelry shots, for example.
In product photography, objects with a depth greater than 10 cm can also be easily stacked in this way, as only the focus is adjusted and therefore, in contrast to the usual stacking process, the entire distance does not have to be covered.
The advantage of the stacking method compared to the classic Scheimpflug tilt adjustment is obvious. With stacking, a uniform, maximum sharpness is achieved over the entire subject area (from front to back and simultaneously from top to bottom), whereas with the Scheimpflug method, maximum sharpness can only ever be achieved in one plane despite adjustment.
In addition, the top and bottom of the slide is of course fully integrated into the ARCA UniQ/C-compatible Q system. This means that the CASTEL-M accepts compatible interchangeable plates, NOVOFLEX bellows devices and NOVOFLEX adjustment slides for setting up a cross slide system in the 90 degree reversible quick coupling and can also be inserted and clamped directly in suitable coupling holders.
Technical data:
Length: 20.5cm
Width: 6.5cm at the sliding piece, 5cm at the rail, 5.5cm at the focus wheel
Height: 5.5cm measured at the focus wheel, 4.5cm rail with sliding piece and coupling
Weight: 679g
Travel of the sliding piece: 10cm
One full rotation of the focus wheel corresponds to 0.8mm feed
Laser-engraved scale on the focus wheel with 0.01mm graduation
Spindle M5 DIN13
Max. Max. load in vertical mounting: 4kg
Coupling mount: ARCA/ UniQ/c-compatible, rotatable by 90°, bubble level, safety pin for NOVOFLEX coupling plates
Rail: on the underside ARCA/ UniQ/c-compatible over the entire length, 1/4" and 3/8" thread
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