WeMacro Focus Stacking Rail - the review
Вставка
- Опубліковано 7 вер 2024
- WeMacro - The Review
DESCRIPTION
The exhaustive review of the WeMacro automated focus rail and vertical macro stand. After 3 months of non-stop use the evaluation is over and the results are in. This video is for anyone who is eager to get into higher magnification macro photography, but not eager to part with ALL their savings. Can a $300 rail can hold a candle to the Cognisys Stackshot? Let's find out.
CHAPTERS
03:31 1 - WeMacro the Company
06:26. 2 - The Build
10:37 3 - Using the Rail
15:03 4 - Accuracy Testing
18:20. 5 - One User's Experience
25:00. 6 - Pricing
31:38. 7 - Recommendations
Want a WeMacro rail - go to www.wemacro.com - tell them Allan sent you - Don't know if it will make any difference, but it is worth a try.
Got a macro question? Come to the "Macro Talk" Livestream every Tuesday at 8PM Central Time - here on UA-cam
Got a question but want to ask me in person? Come over to Patreon - / allanwallsphotography - sign up, and then you get to talk to me face to face (over Zoom), and I get a little closer to paying the bills!
Up next - the International Bug Buying Guide and a video review/tutorial all about the amazing and fun Laowa 15mm Wide Angle macro lens!
ME & MY GEAR
(or my gear and I)
When in the studio I use the Nikon D850 as my main camera - @
My go-to lens in the studio is the amazing 24-70mm f/2.8 zoom - - @
My workhorse for stacking is the unbeatable Nikon D7500 - @
A Nikon D3400 for emergencies - @
A Fujifilm XT-2, with a battery grip - @
Without any Fuji glass, I use a TS adapter from Kipon and any Nikkor lens I like - it is an awesome TS adapter - @
My studio lights are basic Neewer panels (LED) - they are really very good, but I aspire for something more powerful - @
I use Audio Technica shotgun microphones in the studio, - @
but I also have a Pro Caster from Australian mic-maker Rode - @
who also make my DSLR microphone - @
and my wireless microphone system - @
I record all my sound separately onto the awesome Zoom H5 Digital Audio Recorder. - @
I forgot to mention my trusty GoPro Hero 8 Black, complete with the Media Mod for on the go video - amzn.to/2UScm3J & @
That is just some of the stuff I use - if you have any questions about my macro gear, or my recording equipment, just ask.
All my audio, music and sound effects comes for Epidemic Sound - I have been with them for about 3 years and they are pretty awesome - @
All the photography you see on my channel, in my videos and on my website, was done by me.
FIND ME HERE
You want to hang out somewhere else on the interwebs? Here is how you can find me on:
Instagram: @_new_trix
Flickr: @manofmacro/
Twitter: @lls
Discord: This is an invitation… come on over and meet the rest of the gang! @
My website: @
SUPPORT ME HERE
If you would like to support my work, you can do so in any of the following ways:
by becoming a Patreon patron - @llsphotography
By making a donation to the video assistance fund on my website @ns
You could buy me a cup of coffee via PayPal, but clicking on @cro
If you wanted to help me without having to give me anything, you could use this link when you go shopping on Amazon - that is it, you don’t have to do anything else but you will have helped the channel pay the bills - the link is @
I’ve had a Wemacro for two years. Never had a problem with it. Recently bought the vertical stand and love it. They are a great company to deal with.
I'm really glad to see you do this review, I've been using WeMacro for a couple years and I've been really happy with it. My setup has WeMacro and a Nikon Z6 connected to a computer - images then get dropped into a directory ready for HeliconFocus. This rail has been amazing for what it can do, for me.
Allan, thanks for your take on the WeMacro digital motorized focus rail. I've been using mine for going on four years now and it does exactly what it is designed to do. I operate mine via a PC laptop which makes it very easy to operate time after time. William at WeMacro gave me great service and I have bought several accessory items and objectives from him.
Ok, i built a macro rail about 8 years ago. Ended up with 114mm really with 0.0003125mm Resolution, used a ball screen to really reduced the back lash. Cost me a little over £100. I'm just starting an update, but even the original had DoF calculation amongst other things. Can't wait to get the update done.
I use my WeMacro with a usb connection to a Windows laptop. Worked perfect from the first time. Never had a problem. To use it with an Apple laptop you will have problems with Apple not wanting to load the app but there is a work around to make it load. I definitely would recommend buying an inexpensive Windows laptop if you don’t have one and forget the Bluetooth fiasco.
Thank you so much for doing these videos. My photography has greatly improved since learning from you!!! ❤
I don't click to like videos as much as I should, but when I saw the camera with the objective that's shooting the camera on the rail to test if the micron step is as advertised, I clicked on that like button right away! Amazing testing Allan!
I have the wemacro rail since ~2017 and it works great every time I take it out to use it (even if it sat in the closet for a couple of years).
Every time I take it out after a long time I don't use it I wonder if the app will still work and it always does. I was also super happy to see it got to google play, as I had to manually install the APK in the past.
Re using a control computer - I'd recommend one of the fanless mini PCs, like a Quieter3Q N5105. You can remote desktop into it or just attach a keyboard/mouse and monitor. Running Windows 11 is pretty stable - and I'm a Mac guy!
Great review. Mine pairs with my Android 100% with no issues. Been using the controller with the micro mate for about 3 years now. No warranty issues at all. Works as good today as it did the first day. Yes, communication with them is excellent. Awesome resolution with this setup: 1 step = 50 nm on my microscope's fine focus which is a lot more resolution than I have used.
A brilliant and very honest review. I control my WeMacro via an Ipad using Bluetooth, it works perfectly. Love the work and videos you produce.👍
I've been using the WeMacro for six months or so and have been very pleased with it. The price is a lot higher than Alan mentions - at least in the UK - but still less than half of that of the Stackshot.
I have used two Android phone to control the device, and have had no problems - just have to make sure the WeMacro is powered up before I start the app. on the phone.
A couple of irritations, though:
1) When starting the app. or saving changes to settings the advisory or confirmatory messages in black boxes obscure the green function buttons so that you have to wait for the black boxes to disappear before you can continue. I really don't get why the app. is designed this way - there is plenty of screen real estate where they could put the black boxes.
2) The return-to-start-position function is approximate at best - I always have to tweak this manually. Perhaps the Stackshot is engineered better and does this more accurately - but I have no way of knowing.
Im using the Qool Rail 250. It is a kit and it works fine. It will do .07um increments. Now I need to do a test like you did to verify.
Have had one for over 12mnth , very pleased, does what says!! connected to a computer & big screen great for focusing, Great review!!
I've had mine for a few years. Love it
Great honest review Allan. Thank you!
I have a 2mm stack shot set up, and don’t use it very often, but love the results! I appreciate your review as this would be a great alternative if my stackshot ever has issues. Keep up the great work!
Allen, Others may have already said this but an inexpensive android tablet would be perfect as a controller. And it would not tie up your phone.
Ottima recensione, ho la WeMacro e sono contentissimo, nessun problema con Android. Sono d’accordo, da un punto di vista estetico e probabilmente solidità, il controller è molto lontano dalla qualità costruttiva della slitta. però funziona benissimo. Grazie di esistere ditte come WeMacro.
Great review! How surprised will my wife be when she finds this gift from her to me under the tree?
Is the Raynox DCR 150 tube lens Pro they sell fully compatible with the Mitutoyo 10x (200mm)? It’s setup for the required 208mm Raynox focal length? Do I need additional accessories? I’m sure it is, I just want to confirm.
Thanks so much for bringing me into the macro world!
Very informative review! Thanks Allan
I wish I could find one at the prices you quoted, I'd buy another today, unfortunately with inflation and taxes the prices are considerably higher, that applies to other brands aswell.
Nice review Allan, thank you.😊
I've been using a WeMacro for a couple of years now. I run a cable for connection on a 14 year old laptop as I do not care for bluetooth. Iphone is natorious for bluetooth connection issues. Mine is an 11.
Good review ! I own 2 WeMacro rails.
Hurray! It’s here!
I’m
Why not beg/borrow/steal an old 7" tablet and link it permanently to the stackshot. You don't need anything fancy to run the app, just something the kids have outgrown.
great review
Do you have a review on the vertical/ horizontal stand?
I have been looking for a Novoflex Castel M for my Laowo 25mm 2.5-5x & 100mm 2x. Do you thing this is a better &/or for a very beginner?
Would you recommend this for jewelry photography?
If you could buy a as new used stackshot for less than a new we macro what would you do ? Great vids buy the way. TIA
Hi, Thanks for the great video, I have just purchased the WeMAcro but at the time could not afford the stand, but for my use I do need a horizontal stand, do you have a video regarding making your stand? or something similar, I am as yet not able to do Extreme Macro as I just recovering from Cancer and I'm afraid funds are very low indeed, I understand what you said about the stand be great for vertical, and kind of OK for horizontal but I would like to know what you had to do to make it perfect.
LaoWa and WeMacro changed macro photography
how i get this macro rail (purchase) In India
please help
I will note, I do not like their software they offer. I tether it through helicon remote.....much much better.
I want to import in 🇮🇳 India but don't know how to purchase it
Not as sturdy as my M601 enlarger rail from the 20th century.
Ditch the Music!
I think the music is quirky and cool. It perfectly matches Allen’s sense of humour. :)
Nah! Best bit.
My camera has a focus bracketing feature that can take up to 999 images. This feature is so awesome, and it creates perfect image stacks!, I haven't used my focusing rail since.
Neat