Manfrotto 454 Positioning Plate (#3419)

SKU: BG3419 MFR: 454
$186.95
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Key Features

  • Achieve precise camera placement with this Manfrotto positioning plate for perfect shots.
  • Easily fine-tune your camera's position; this plate makes minute adjustments a breeze.
  • Securely mount your camera; supports various setups with 1/4"-20 & 3/8" screws.
  • Enhance your photography workflow; a must-have accessory for studio and location work.
  • Enjoy long-lasting reliability; this Manfrotto replacement part is built to endure.
  • Get steady, shake-free images using this positioning plate with your tripod setup.
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Questions & Answers

Shopper : Is this the same as a slider and what is its range?JAMES S : I have no idea what you mean by slider. This item allows fine and coarse adjustment of position in one axis by use of a screw drive. Unfortunately, the tolerances on this particular piece are not get tight so when you screw it forward or backward the frame changes very slightly, but enough to alter the composition of a macro shot. I have a two axis rack-and-pinion positioner that I like much better.ALLAN J : It haws a range of a little over 4.5 inches. It is an excellent piece of gear and is very precise for macro photography. L have attached a quick release so that it attaches straight to the tripod along with my panoramic head and another head for general use.KIL WON M : Yes, it is the same as a slider (rough adjust by slide and fine adjust by screw) and the overall range is 120mm (~4.7inch). It is useful with a reverse ring for me. ^^
Shopper : Why Did You Choose This?LLOYD R : I have a macro lens and need this to help focusDARRELL H : Was suggestedBRUCE J : For macro photography framing and to set the nodal point for shooting multiple image panoramas.Marvin R : Online reviews and comparisons to other makes and the Manfrotto 454 looked to be the best product with the best price. There were none I saw at this price or below that measured up as good as the Manfrotto 454. And, there were none priced higher that to me justified the doubling or tripling of cost. For the my money this was the best.David M : Best reviews for a reasonably priced macro rail. I plan to attach it to a Minolta AB-1 focusing rail for x/y axis control for my Canon 5DIII and 100 Macro L2.8 lens.DARYL B : The Manfrotto Positoning plate is useful for the creation of "focus stack" multi-exposures to create large depth-of-field macro images with Photo-merge in PhotoShop. It is "adequate" for casual use. For full-time or professional applications something like the Really Right Stuff macro rail is considerably higher performance at considerably higher cost.

Reviews about this item

Review Summary

2020-08-16T23:39:08

Rated 4 out of 5

almost what I wanted

I bought this in response to a review I read. If I would have had one in hand I would have purchased something different. I need something that I can move longer distances more quickly. This is great for photographing coins and things of that nature.

Lloyd R.

2020-06-02T09:30:27

Rated 4 out of 5

Much better than most.

After trying the lower cost versions of focus rails I ended up trying this unit from Manfrotto. Overall it’s a much better choice with much more precise movements due to the fine threaded adjustment mechanism. Short of moving to a motorized rail (Wemacro, Stackshot) this is probably the best option when doing close focus/ macro photography.

JAMES W.

2019-11-27T08:18:27

Rated 3 out of 5

Decent Rail for the $ with One Flaw

I have a Manfrotto tripod and a number of other accessories for it. I bought the positioning plate for macro photography and to find the nodal point for panoramas. The design is a bit clunky and not quite up to the quality of other Manfrotto items. However, the quality is okay, considering the reasonable cost. My only real complaint is how the camera mounts to the rail. The screw has a large-flat screwdriver type of head. I don’t understand why Manfrotto didn’t use an allen wrench fitting like used for the Manfrotto L bracket?

BRUCE J.

2019-05-31T05:42:45

Rated 3 out of 5

Product Good - Warranty Registration is Lousy

The product is ok but the online product registration for Manfrotto is lousy. As long as you never have to use the warranty you are fine. I would not buy another Manfrotto product because of my experience with trying to register this product and the poor support when just sent me e-mails on how to reset my password.

Marvin R.

2018-09-24T08:31:45

Rated 4 out of 5

Good

Is sturdy. Works great in one direction, very precise. But is loose when changing directions. It is a minor pain. Saves me a ton of time but not having to adjust the subject or the camera. Should have got it years ago

ALLEN A.

2015-02-09T19:00:00

Rated 4 out of 5

Pretty Good Focusing Tool

This Positioning Plate has made my macro work much easier. I'm a professional photographer, getting quality images, even in macro, is a must. I spent lots of time in the past, tipping the tripod, adjusting the fore leg of a tripod and of course, focusing the macro lens only to find out I was too close and therefore OUT of the focal range of my lens. The Manfrotto 454 Micro Positioning Plate is a must have for me. There really isn't anything else out there at the moment, that is dedicated to this type of photography. It's best on the level... if you tilt up, and hope to focus (advance) up, you'll find it ratcheting and not advancing IF you are using a heavy bodies FX camera... Advancing the focus down, is fine, but back up at a 20 degree angle and it ratchets again. Even after snugging up the brass side adjustment screw. What it does best for me, is on the level, when I want that absolute 1:1 closest focus length. I set the camera at the closest focus point, then use the positioning plate to get me right on that leading edge. Then, I advance the adjustment screw forward, taking an image at each focal plane, until I have all the images I need to stack later on. There is play in the adjustment when changing from advancing to retreating the lens. After moving the camera/lens forward, when you turn the screw in the opposite direction, there are several turns before the place begins to move in the opposite direction. Plan for that and you'll be fine. Put this Micro Positioning Plate on your HEAVIEST tripod. There is too much wiggle activity in my lighter manfrotto tripods. I rely on my good old Manfrotto model 3033 with the 3047 head. For using TWO Micro positioning Plates (set at 90 degrees to one another) for forward/back and side to side control, you won't want a light weight support system. This system is best of course, for stationary objects, such as fine jewelry, snowflakes, dead insects, or water droplets on plants in very still air and so on. You'll go mad, if you attempt to shoot moving insects and so on. So, why four stars? Well, precision machining is wanted. Even with the brass tension adjustment side screw tightened up, there is play. The "dead zone" which occurs when changing from forward to back, is definitely noticeable and somewhat frustrating. I would recommend it, because, there just isn't anything better that I've found yet. Remember to get two of them for total fore/aft, side to side, control.

FREDERICK D.

2012-01-20T19:00:00

Rated 2 out of 5

Useful for macro, could be much better

Bottom line, up front: this rail is useful for the 1:1 macro photos I take as an enthusiast. This piece is a nice start because the screw drive allows for very small movements (1.25mm per revolution) in one axis that would not be achieved with a (similarly priced) rack and pinion design. It comes with both 1/4 and 3/8 mounting screws, and the 3/8 screw stores neatly in the tensioning knob. The adjustment does not rely on friction so it is very stable while still being easy to adjust, but there is about 1 mm of backlash in the adjusting screw. Furthermore, the slide doesn't fit the base very tightly so there will be lateral and vertical errors in framing while making fore and aft adjustments. The tension spring presses directly on the adjusting screw, so they chatter when making large adjustments using the release lever. I intend to make a follower (flat on the spring side, concave on the adjustment screw side) to go between the two to improve the precision and eliminate the noise. Manfrotto should send this design back to the drawing board.

James S.

2011-10-09T21:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Best product to shoot panoramic view.

Because of it's remarkable horizontal capability, I enjoyed shooting landscapes, But my requirement was to shoot vertical also so I had to order an other product which has horizontal and vertical capabilities. and is cheep also. But Overall Manfrotto did a good job.

Manj

2011-09-18T21:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

You should have one for extreme macro

This is the product for you to use in extreme macro photography. It is not good for you to take picture of moving objects such as bugs at outdoor. It is the time to use it when you focu on one eye of lady bug and other eye blur out. You have no way to adjust the tripod back and forth for the accurate focus. Since it is not made in China but the great quality from Italy with such joyful price. I bought it immediately when I saw it and without any regret in more than 10 times of usages.

Chris

2011-06-14T21:00:00

Rated 1 out of 5

It's Obsolete Now

This positioning plate can be excused for its insufficiencies by noting that it isn't a macro focussing rail. Everyone I know who uses one uses it to adjust focus for macro photography, though. It is not rack-and-pinion but uses a long bolt or screw that is not exactly round in cross section; the result is that, as one moves camera and lens forward or back, they wiggle side-to-side and up-and-down; at 1:1 and closer, the framing of the photo changes. "Frustrating" is extreme understatement. One cannot count on getting aligned images for a focusing stack. One cannot count on a precisely framed macro image. (One can count on getting the focus right.) Its other disadvantage is the way one has to attach the camera or the lens's tripod collar. The procedure is difficult to do without looking at the attachment screw, and looking at that while the whole rig is on a tripod often requires some gymnastics and often results in scraped fingers. This is not to say I haven't used it to get some really satisfying macro images, but at the initial relatively high monetary cost and continuing cost in inconvenience and frustration, I cannot recommend it. The good news is that people in the eastern hemisphere are now making a similar item that is half the weight (but still 8 oz, not too flimsy), has a rack and pinion movement, a quick-adjustment feature like Manfrotto's, a much better screw for attaching the camera, and they're selling it for 22% of what I paid for mine.

D_Spider

2010-02-07T19:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Very sharp focus

It is all that I whish!

Reinaldo

2010-01-09T19:00:00

Rated 4 out of 5

A must have for macro

You may not need it that much for 1:1 macro photography. However, it is a must if you want to do something more than that. It will give you fine tune of the adjustment. It is solid and easy to use without the need of mannul. The only problem I ran into is that my camera (Olympus e520) may be blocked by its extruded knob at some position and it can be took care of easily by readjustment. Since your camera is fixed on it you have to make sure that your lense and its hood is not too big to block the attachment. The good news is that it is not made in China but Italy so that you can rely on its quality.

SAN C.

2009-08-18T21:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Manfrotto 454 Micro Focusing Rail

I like the rail. It serves its purpose well. I put two rails together so I have movement in two axis. My only complaints are 1. A QR2 plate on the second rail limits movement (because it does not clear the bottom rail completely). 2. I would like bigger knobs for turning the adjustment screw. 3. Better lens caps

JERRY B.

2009-05-26T21:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Good product

Well built. Operates as advertized. I use this for macro photography and photographing 2D artwork.

Brad H.

2008-09-04T21:00:00

Rated 4 out of 5

Macro must

This is a fairly inexpensive macro rail. I wish it had lateral movement which it doesn't seem to. It will work well for my use in macro photography.

Marvyl

2007-03-25T21:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

A valuable tool

An invaluable tool for macro photography, this plate permits you to precicely locate your camera and lens without continually shifting the tripod forward and back...a definite time-saver!

EricBB

2007-02-07T19:00:00

Rated 1 out of 5

don't think Manfrotto tested the design

After receiving focusing slide, mounted it on a 3036 Manfrotto tripod,mounted Nikon F3 with 105mm Nikkor Micro, focused lens with barrel, when trying to move the depth of field to where I wanted it was impossible. Once you loosen the locking knob, the top half of the slide floats around laterally and fore and aft.It's imposible to nail down a tack sharp image with your original composition, even with the locking knobsnugged just short of locking. Every time the locking knob gets tightened the composition and the fine focus is gone.The problem with this unit is poor design, no preloads on adjustmet its not precision enough for Macro photography.I returned it imediatly[...]. I found good results using the rails from an old Vivitar bellows focus rail modified.

Dan

2007-02-04T19:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Micro-Positioning Plate

I use mine to take detailed Macro Photos of gemstones, for the purpose of illustrating "Identifying Characteristics" (i.e. internal/external inclusions) It allows for precise, concrete identification of individual stones.

DJ

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About Manfrotto 454

FEATURED REVIEWS

Best product to shoot panoramic view.

By Manj

Because of it's remarkable horizontal capability, I enjoyed shooting landscapes, But my requirement was to shoot vertical also so I had to order an other product which has horizontal and vertical capabilities. and is cheep also. But Overall Manfrotto did a good job.

You should have one for extreme macro

By Chris

This is the product for you to use in extreme macro photography. It is not good for you to take picture of moving objects such as bugs at outdoor. It is the time to use it when you focu on one eye of lady bug and other eye blur out. You have no way to adjust the tripod back and forth for the accurate focus. Since it is not made in China but the great quality from Italy with such joyful price. I bought it immediately when I saw it and without any regret in more than 10 times of usages.

After meticulous design and engineering, the 454 Positioning Plate (#3419) emerges as an indispensable tool for macro photography, QTVR, and other precision-oriented reproduction work. This positioning plate is expertly crafted from extruded aluminum, ensuring a robust and durable construction that can withstand a maximum load capacity of 17.7 lbs.

The 454 Positioning Plate is designed to facilitate precise positioning movements, enabling photographers to frame their shots to perfection. It features a user-friendly finger-tip control for ultra-fine positioning, coupled with a simple lock-release lever for quick and efficient set-up.

For enhanced versatility, two of these plates can be interlocked at a 90-degree angle, allowing for comprehensive lateral, forward, and backward movement of over 4.7 inches. This feature provides photographers with a wider range of motion and greater control over their equipment, making it an ideal choice for those seeking to capture intricate details and achieve superior image quality.

The plate is equipped with both 1/4" and 3/8" holes and screws, making it compatible with a variety of tripods and cameras. This ensures that regardless of your equipment, the 454 Positioning Plate can seamlessly integrate into your photography setup, providing stability and precision in every shot.

Weighing in at just 1 lb, this positioning plate is a lightweight yet sturdy addition to your photography gear, offering reliability without compromising on portability. Whether you're a professional photographer or a passionate hobbyist, the 454 Positioning Plate (#3419) is a valuable asset for achieving the perfect frame in every shot.

Manfrotto 454 Features

  • Expertly crafted from extruded aluminum for robust and durable construction
  • Features finger-tip control for ultra-fine positioning, perfect for macro photography
  • Simple lock-release lever for quick and efficient set-up
  • Allows for comprehensive lateral, forward, and backward movement of over 4.7 inches
  • Equipped with both 1/4" & 3/8" holes & screws for compatibility with various tripods & cameras
  • Lightweight design weighing just 1 lb, offering portability without compromising stability

Warranty Information

This product has a limited warranty of 24 months for parts and 24 months for labor.

Key Features

  • Achieve precise camera placement with this Manfrotto positioning plate for perfect shots.
  • Easily fine-tune your camera's position; this plate makes minute adjustments a breeze.
  • Securely mount your camera; supports various setups with 1/4"-20 & 3/8" screws.
  • Enhance your photography workflow; a must-have accessory for studio and location work.
  • Enjoy long-lasting reliability; this Manfrotto replacement part is built to endure.
  • Get steady, shake-free images using this positioning plate with your tripod setup.

What's in the box:

  • Manfrotto 454 Positioning Plate
  • 1/4"-20 Screw
  • 3/8" Screw
  • Manfrotto 2 Year Warranty (Additional 3 Years with Online Registration)