Novoflex Castel M Focusing Rack

Novoflex Castel M - Adjustment slide with focus wheel

The constantly decreasing depth of field at image scales above 1:1 requires absolutely meticulous work. This is the only way to correctly select and maintain the distances between the individual shots in a stacking series. This is the only way to ensure success when using the stacking software.

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 image 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, a shot only 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. 

A further advantage: the individual click stops are calculated in such a way that the occurrence of diffraction blurring, which reduces sharpness, is avoided and are designed for use with cameras with a full-frame KB sensor (24x36) and connected lenses with an aperture of f4.0. The rasterisation also allows 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. All you need to do is 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-focussing, 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 jewellery shots, for example. 

In product photography, objects with a depth greater than 10cm can also be easily stacked in this way, as only the focus is adjusted and therefore, in contrast to the usual stacking methods, the entire distance does not have to be covered. 

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 jewellery shots, for example. 

In product photography, objects with a depth greater than 10cm 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. Stacking achieves uniform, maximum sharpness 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 units 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. 

Features: 

• 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
• Travelling distance 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 
• Max. Max. load in vertical mounting: 4kg 
• Coupling mount: ARCA/ UniQ/c-compatible, can be rotated by 90°, spirit level, safety pin for NOVOFLEX coupling plates 
• Rail: ARCA/ UniQ/c-compatible over the entire length on the underside, 1/4" and 3/8" thread