NOVOFLEX CASTEL-L User manual

Focusing Racks
CASTEL-L / CASTEL-Q
USER MANUAL
© NOVOFLEX Präzisionstechnik GmbH
Brahmsstraße 7
D-87700 Memmingen
Phone [phone], Fax [phone]
Email mail@novoflex.com, Internet www.novoflex.com
CASTEL-L
CASTEL-Q
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“
section 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

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Nomenclature
1Clamping screw
2Locking knob
3Operating knob
4Sliding block
5Scale
6Guideway holes
7Dovetail guide (ARCA-type)
8Coupling piece MiniConnect 1/4”
9Clamping plate QPL1 (optional)
10 Tripod mount 1/4” resp. 3/8”
7
5
8
1
1
2
3
2
3
4
4
5
6
6
7
9
10
10
Not within the
scope of delivery
CASTEL-L CASTEL-Q
Product description
NOVOFLEX focusing racks are indispensable accessories for macro- and stereo photog-
raphy. They can be mounted on any tripod, the NOVOFLEX Universal Bellows within
the BALPRO and CASTBAL series and on the NOVOFLEX MS-REPRO macro repro-
stand.
The CASTEL-L focusing rack is equipped with an integrated camera adapter for the
NOVOFLEX MiniConnect® system.
The CASTEL-Q focusing rack is equipped with a dovetail clamp and has been designed
to fit the NOVOFLEX quick release system Q (ARCA UniQ / C compatible).
MC-1/4 MC-1/4 SPEZIAL MC-1/4 LANG
MC-3/8 MC-3/8 SPEZIAL MC-3/8 LANG MC-VERTIKAL
Suitable clamping plates for the focusing rack CASTEL-Q
For your focusing rack CASTEL-Q or cross-focusing rack CASTEL-CROSS Q,•
NOVOFLEX oers a variety of exchangeable Q=PLATEs. Dierent sizes, dierent
threaded screws and plates with anti-twist pins are available. Details can be found on our
website www.novoflex.de or at your photo dealer.
Suitable coupling pieces for the focusing rack CASTEL-L
For your focusing rack CASTEL-L or cross-focusing rack CASTEL-CROSS MC,•
NOVOFLEX oers round MiniConnect® coupling pieces. The round coupling pieces
are extremely small (size of a 1 euro coin) and hardly carry on, so that they can always
remain at the tripod connections of the cameras or lenses without disturbing. There are
six dierent coupling pieces and one L-bracket for dierent devices and applications
available.
MC-SPECIAL 1/4 and MC-SPECIAL 3/8 comes with an extra anti-twist pin, only for•
metal camera bases or metal lens tripod connections. MC-1/4-LANG and MC-3/8-
LANG have an extra-long thread (length = 8 mm) Page 7

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Mounting the camera
Screw the MiniConnect•coupling piece (8) respectively a Q=PLATE clamping plate
(9) onto the device to be mounted (for example a camera or tripod collar).
CASTEL-L: Place the coupling piece (8) into the opening of the sliding block (4) and•
fix it in with the locking knob (2).
CASTEL-Q: Insert a Q=PLATE. e.g. the QPL1 (9) into the dovetail clamp of the slid-•
ing block (4) and fix it with the locking knob (2).
To release the mounted device, proceed in reverse order.•
Notes
The stronger the•locking knob (2) is tightened, the better the device is attached to the
sliding block (4) by pressure.
The operation of the•locking knob (2) is most comfortable when the sliding block (4)
is at the end of the guide rail.
Before use, make sure that the coupling piece (8) respectively the clamping plate (9)•
fits snugly into the sliding block (4) and that the mounted device is firmly in place.
Suitable MiniConnect coupling pieces and Q=PLATE clamping plates are available in•
various versions as accessories.
Operation
The operating knob (3) moves the sliding block (4) smoothly and precisely forwards•
and backwards. The clamping screw (1) locks the sliding block (4) in the desired posi-
tion.
The focusing rack has a scale (5), which serves as an adjustment aid in stereo photog-•
raphy. In addition, the sliding block can be reproducibly moved to certain positions,
important e.g. in panorama photography.
Safety instructions
The clamping screw (1) is used only for clamping the sliding block. It is not suitable for•
setting a friction (braking). If the operating knob (3) 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 racks are maintenance-free, no special care is required. Please do not use•
grease for lubrication. It is recommended to keep the racks clean from sand and dirt.
The NOVOFLEX•CAST-FINE adjustment handle is available as an accessory to the
focusing rack CASTEL-Q / CASTEL-CROSS Q. It is the perfect solution if e.g. in fo-
cus stacking even finer settings are desirable. The attachment is simply pushed onto the
operation knob (3) and can be adjusted with a small hex screw if required. Not suitable
for CASTEL-L / CASTEL-CROSS MC!
CAST-FINE
CASTEL-Q
Upgrading to a panoramic head VR-System III
A classical panoramic tripod head for single-row panoramas consists of a panning base•
on the bottom, a focusing rack and an L-bracket. In order to use dierent cameras and
lenses, the L-bracket should be shiftable in two directions: Foreward-backward and side-
to-side. This is realized in our product VR-SYSTEM III. To set up such a system, you
need, beside your focusing rack CASTEL-Q the panning base PANORAMA=Q 48
and the L-bracket QPL-VERTIKAL.
CASTEL-Q QPL-VERTIKAL
PANORAMA=Q 48 VR-SYSTEM III
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Technical data CASTEL-L
Dimension 200 x 100 x 33 mm (7.9 × 3.9 × 1.3”)
Weight 420 g (0.9 lb.)
Travel 140 mm (5.5”)
Tripod connection 3 x 1/4”, 3 x 3/8” and NOVOFLEX Q-profile
Camera connection MiniConnect system (1/4” coupling piece)
Technical data CASTEL-Q
Dimension 200 x 100 x 33 mm (7.9 × 3.9 × 1.3”)
Weight 450 g (1 lb.)
Travel 125 mm (4.9”)
Tripod connection 3 x 1/4”, 3 x 3/8” and NOVOFLEX Q-profile
Camera connection Q-profile (ARCA-UniQ/C-compatible)
The adjustment path for a full rotation of the operating knob (3) is 15 mm for
both devices.
Setup a cross-focusing rack
The use of two focusing racks, which are mounted oset by 90°, gives the functionality•
of a cross-focussing rack. Ideally, the CASTEL-Q is used for the lower focusing rack
because a right angle is guaranteed by the transversely mounted dovetail clamp. This
clamp picks up the upper focusing rack with the dovetail profile on its bottom.
CASTEL-L
CASTEL-Q
CASTEL-Q
CASTEL-Q
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Recommended accessories
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
guideway holes (6) to attach this slide copying device.
The cross-focusing rack•CASTEL-CROSS MC is a combination of the CASTEL-Q
and the CASTEL-L. The camera coupling piece MC 1/4 “ is included.
The cross-focusing rack•CASTEL-CROSS Q is a combination of two CASTEL-Q
racks. The camera plate QPL 1 is included.
Both CASTEL-CROSS cross-focusing racks allow pinpoint positioning of the camera•
in two dierent directional axes. The design meets the highest demands on precision
and stability and allows a sensitive and jerk-free adjustment of the camera position.
The adjustment path for the CASTEL-CROSS MC in the X direction is 275 mm (11”)•
and in the Y direction 125 mm (5”).
The adjustment path for the CASTEL-CROSS Q is 260 mm (10”) in the X direction•
and also 125 mm (5”) in the Y direction.
CAST-COP-DIGI
CASTEL-Q
MINIPOD
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