PXC2 8 Inch Arca-Swiss Type Nodal Rail with Integrated Clamp

As with all the PMG gear I’ve purchased, nothing comes close to the quality of their gear. However, with this nodal rail, it’s missing the marks on the side to help align predetermined locations for the nodal point of different lenses. There are markings on other PMG plates (why?), but not the nodal rail. Seems backwards to me. Photo shows a PMG PX6 (top) with PMG PXC2 8” (bottom)

I got the 8 inch rail (PXC2) to use with the PMG L bracket (PLX3T) with panoramic shots with a pan/tilt head. I also plan to use it with the GT2 "Tomahawk" for mounting my camera to the GT2 with lenses that don't have a tripod foot. The rail is clearly high-quality construction, the clamp action is smooth, and the price is quite good compared to the competition. Definitely recommended. I have no problems with lens hood clearance at the wide end with a 24-70 f/2.8 in portrait orientation, but the hood does hit the rail in landscape orientation. Extending the connecting rails on the L bracket might help with that. Those with large wide-angle lenses should consider the 6 inch model.

I bought both the 8 and 6 inch rails as I was not sure which would work the best for me. I found that the 8 inch works best shooting landscape and the 6 inch better in portrait when using with my Katana Jr. gimbal head. This is due to me also using the PMG L brackets with my cameras. Due to the bracket being forward when using as portrait the 6 inch rail works better due to the forward offset. If I used the 8 I am sure I would catch part of it in the picture using my 15-35mm lens.

I bought this to use on a gimbal head, but it is also useful for macro and panoramic photography too. It is very well made and does those functions as intended, but.... I use it on my Nikon Z7 with an RRS one piece L-bracket and my Z 24-70 f2.8. My one gripe: the height of the clamp above the rail is not high enough to allow my lens hood to stay on the lens without rubbing. Mine rubs the rail when retracted to 24mm. The RRS bracket is the low profile one, so if it was a little thicker, then no issue. This is something worth checking before you buy it for your setup. If you set your camera, with the plate/bracket on it, flush on a flat surface and the lens hood does not touch that same surface, then you won't have a problem. If lens hood diameter is large enough so that it touches that surface, or extends below it, then it will rub the rail, provided the lens is also short enough (less than 5.5" from the front edge of your plate). I can't use this with the lens hood unless I buy a new L-Bracket with a thicker bottom plate, cut the nodal rail short by an inch, or figure something else out.

This fail was perfect for me. I needed to mount Binoculars and a laser rangefinder on one rail and this is the perfect setup. The price point is great and the quality is there. Fast shipping too.