NOVOFLEX CASTEL-XQ II User manual

Focusing Rack
CASTEL-XQ II
USER MANUAL
Information
For more information, advice and tips concerning our products contact your photo dealer,
the distributor of NOVOFLEX products in your country (have a look at “Where to buy“ sec-
tion at our website to find your distributor) or visit our website: http://www.novoflex.com
For personal advice about possible accessories which is suitable for your NOVOFLEX
product please contact the following phone number or send us an E-mail.
NOVOFLEX Phone: [phone]
NOVOFLEX E-Mail: mail@novoflex.com
© NOVOFLEX Präzisionstechnik GmbH
Brahmsstraße 7
D-87700 Memmingen
Phone [phone], Fax [phone]
Email mail@novoflex.com, Internet www.novoflex.com
CASTEL-XQ II

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Page 2
Nomenclature
1Locking knob cross quick-release
2Guide rail
3Scale
4Sliding block
5Operating knob
6Guideway holes
7Dovetail guide (ARCA-type)
8Clamping screw sliding block
9Tripod mount 1/4” and 3/8”
10 Clamping screw Q=MOUNT XD
11 Spirit level
12 Cross quick-release Q=MOUNT XD
13 Dovetail guide (ARCA-type)
14 Tripod mount 1/4” and 3/8”
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1314
Note: For optimum stability and safety, we recommend using a long clamp such as the•
QPL2, QPL3 or QPL4 on the cross quick-release. Square- and short plates can only
be clamped on one side due to their design.
Setup a cross-focusing rack
The use of two focusing racks, which are mounted oset by 90°, gives the functionality•
of a cross focusing rack, which enables pinpoint positioning of the camera in two dier-
ent directional axes. Ideally, the NOVOFLEX CASTEL-Q is used for the additional
focusing rack, as right angles are guaranteed by the transversely mounted dovetail
clamp. This clamp picks up the upper focusing rack with the dovetail profile on its bot-
tom. The design meets the highest demands on precision and stability and allows a
sensitive and jerk-free adjustment of the camera position.
CASTEL-XQ II
CASTEL-Q
Camera plate
NOVOFLEX QPL2
(Not within the scope
of delivery)
CASTEL-XQ II

Page 3Page 6
Product description
The focusing rack CASTEL-XQ II being only 25cm (9.84 in) in length oers a camera
movement of 37.5cm (14.8 in) thanks to the new and integrated Q=MOUNT XD cross
quick-release. For the first time ever a 90°-cross mounting will be possible while utilizing
only one quick-release and in combination with the CASTEL-XQ II this is the perfect tool
for doing macro and stereo shots alike.
Macro lenses with tripod collar and cameras with mounted battery grips can now be turned
from landscape to portrait orientation without having to buy additional spacer plates, etc.
The cross quick-release Q=MOUNT XD (12) can be mounted either on the sliding block
(4, following both figures) or on the dovetail guide (2, figure below). For mounting or dis-
mounting use the locking screw (10) of the quick-release.
Longitudinal mounting:
Camera in landscape mode
Transverse mounting: made possible by the
cross quick-release Q = MOUNT XD (12)
4
12
10
2
Due to the design with the lower
sliding block (4) and the upper,
movable cross quick-release
Q=MOUNT XD (12), a near-
ly double adjustment path is
achieved with an overall length
of only 25cm.
For digitizing framed slides, the slide duplicator NOVOFLEX•CASTEL-COP-DIGI
is being oered. It is the ideal tool for a fast and easy copying of your originals from 24
× 36 mm up to the medium format 6×7. All NOVOFLEX focusing racks have guide-
way holes (6) to attach this slide copying device.
6
Suitable clamping plates for the focusing rack CASTEL-XQ II
For mounting the camera on your focusing rack CASTEL-XQ II, a variety of replace-•
able clamping plates of the type Q=PLATE come into question. These are available in
dierent sizes, with dierent thread screws and with and without anti-twist pins. Details
can be found on our website www.novoflex.de or at your photo dealer.
CAST-COP-DIGI
Longitudinal mounting:
Camera in portrait mode

Technical data CASTEL-XQ II
Dimension 250 x 110 x 50 mm (9.8 x 4.3 x 2.0”)
Weight 670 g (1.5 lb.)
Travel 375 mm (14.8”)
Tripod connection 3 x 1/4”, 3 x 3/8” and NOVOFLEX Q-profile
Camera connection Q-profile (ARCA-UniQ/C-compatible)
Page 4
Recommended accessories
The NOVOFLEX•CAST-FINE adjustment handle is available as an accessory to your
focusing rack CASTEL-XQ II. It is the perfect solution if e.g. in focus stacking even
finer settings are desirable. The
attachment is simply pushed onto
the operating knob (5) and can be
adjusted with a small hex screw if
required.
Page 5
Safety instructions
Before taking any photographs, make sure that the clamping screw (10) and the lock-•
ing knob (1) are tightened to prevent accidental slipping out of the clamping plate or
cross quick-release including the mounted device.
The clamping screw (8) is used only for clamping the sliding block. It is not suitable for•
setting a friction (braking). If the operating knob (5) is moved in the clamped state, this
can damage the cograil!
Do not try to drive beyond the end stop with the sliding block (4). This can also lead•
to damage to the cograil!
Maintenance
The focusing rack is maintenance-free, no special care is required. Please do not use•
grease for lubrication. It is recommended to keep the rack clean from sand and dirt.
Mounting the focusing rack to a tripod
To mount the focusing rack on a tripod or tri-•
pod head, three 1/4 “and 3/8” threaded holes
(9) are located in the guide rail (2). The bot-
tom of the sliding block (4) is also provided
with a 1/4 “and 3/8” tripod mount (14). In addi-
tion, the guide rail (2) and the sliding block are
equipped with a dovetail guide (7) for direct
mounting on a NOVOFLEX quick-release of
the Q=System (ARCA / UniQ / C compat-
ible). The safety pin of a NOVOFLEX quick-release engages into the milling cut-
out and prevents unintentional slipping out of the rack if the corresponding clamping
screw was accidentally not fully tightened. Your cross quick-release Q=MOUNT XD
(12) is equipped with three of these safety pins.
Mounting the camera
To mount the camera you need a clamping plate from the Q=PLATE series (not in-•
cluded). Depending on the application, these plates are available in dierent sizes
and shapes, dierent threaded screws, with or without anti-twist pins. As a universal
clamping plate for macro- and stereo photography, we recommend the NOVOFLEX
QPL2 (see illustration on page 2).
Mount the clamping plate underneath the camera or tripod collar using the camera•
screw provided for this purpose.
Open the blue•locking knob (1) of the cross quick-release (12) and slide the clamping
plate into the clamp in the desired direction (longitudinal or transverse). Then tighten
the blue locking knob (1) again and check the secure hold of the mounted device on
the focusing rack.
To release the mounted device, proceed in reverse order.•
Operation
The operating knob (5) moves the sliding block (4) smoothly and precisely forwards•
and backwards. The clamping screw (8) locks the sliding block (4) in the desired posi-
tion.
Fast position adjustments are made by moving the cross quick-release Q=MOUNT•
XD (12) by hand. To do this, loosen or tighten the clamping screw (10). Fine adjust-
ments are then made with the operating knob (5) of the sliding block (4). By combin-
ing both types, you can achieve a much longer adjustment path than with conventional
focusing racks.
Your CASTEL-XQ II has on the top and bottom a scale (3), which also serves as a•
setting aid in the stereo photography. The spirit level (11) indicates the horizontal ori-
entation of the focusing rack.
9
Milling cutout
2 resp. 7
CAST-FINE