Close-up and Macro Photography
by Chuon-Szen Ong

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One useful and sometimes essential accessory for macro work is the focusing stage. This focusing stage comprises of a standard camera mounting unit that sits on a set of rails, allowing the entire camera and lens set-up to be moved forward or backwards while mounted on a fixed-position tripod.

The advantage of using a focusing stage is to eliminate the need of shuffling the tripod and losing the subject or composition while trying to get into that optimum position.

The Nikon focusing stage, the PG-2, allows the normally mounted camera body to be rotated 90 degrees for a horizontal format shot. Other third-party models may also allow the body to transverse left or right via various mechanisms such as a worm & worm wheel system.

COPY STAND 

Another form of a focusing stage is the Copy Stand. This is pretty much the foundation base you find on some enlargers; essentially it consists of a sturdy rail system mounted vertically on to an 18% Grey base, like the Nikon FP-4. Most copy stands would also include a set of lamps for general illumination, ideally fitted with proper daylight-balanced light bulbs!