Really Right Stuff MPR-CL II multi-purpose rail / nodal point rail with integrated clamp

Really Right Stuff MPR-CL II multipurpose rail / nodal point rail for precise photo setups

With the Really Right Stuff MPR-CL II multipurpose rail you add a particularly well thought-out nodal point rail to your setup that does a very solid job both in panoramic photography and in macro photography. The rail combines an integrated, laterally clamping quick-release base with a precisely scaled top side, turning it into a kind of “Swiss army knife” on your tripod head – only made from 6061-T6 aluminum, black anodized and optimized for stability.

The real highlight is its versatility: you can use the MPR-CL II as a classic nodal point rail for parallax-free panoramas or employ it as a macro rail to shift focus with millimeter precision. The integrated screw clamp accepts common dovetail plates, and thanks to the clearly legible scale (without unit, but very finely graduated) you can quickly find your settings again when you frequently work with the same focal lengths.

Important, and sometimes underestimated: for panoramas with some wide-angle lenses you often need to use the shorter MPR-CL. The MPR-CL II gives you plenty of leeway with its extra length, but with very short focal lengths the more compact version can simply be more practical to handle.

Made in the USA, robust quality without frills

The MPR-CL II is manufactured in the USA, and you notice this in many small details that make a difference in everyday use. The 6061-T6 aluminum is not only lightweight but also extremely torsion-resistant, so the total length of 21.4 cm (with a profile length of 18.9 cm on the underside and 14.4 cm on the top side) easily handles heavier setups. At 3.8 cm wide and 2.1 cm high, the rail remains pleasantly compact and can be stowed in a backpack without any trouble.

The black anodized surface is unobtrusive, low-reflection and durable, which is particularly pleasant outdoors under changing conditions. We’d say: not a design showpiece, but a working tool that simply does what it’s supposed to do – and does so for many years.

Arca-style compatible, flexible use in many systems

The MPR-CL II is ARCA compatible and can therefore be seamlessly integrated into numerous Arca-style compatible quick-release systems. The clamp accepts, among others, Arca-style compatible (according to the manufacturer) 38 mm dovetail, Really Right Stuff dovetail, Wimberley dovetail and Kirk dovetail. At the same time, the clamping profile fits a whole range of common clamps: FlexShooter lever cross clamp, FlexShooter screw cross clamp, Wimberley clamps, Really Right Stuff screw clamps, Really Right Stuff lever clamps, Acratech lever clamps, Acratech screw clamps and Kirk clamps.

So if you already use an Arca-style compatible setup or are planning one, you can integrate the rail very easily. You can find more information about ARCA systems and suitable components in our ARCA compatible accessories section.

With QD strap anchor mount, quickly from tripod to shoulder

Practical in everyday use: the MPR-CL II has a QD strap mount, i.e. an integrated mount for a QD-compatible camera strap. This lets you quickly detach your setup from the tripod and carry it directly on a suitable strap without having to reconfigure things in a cumbersome way. The system is QD compatible and thus designed for fast, secure connections.

To use this QD strap mount you need a strap with matching QD strap anchors. Suitable straps and anchors can be found here: straps with QD strap anchors.

Precise quick-release base with screw clamp

The integrated quick-release base uses a laterally clamping screw clamp with a jaw length of 3.8 cm. This ensures an even distribution of pressure on the plate and thus a very secure hold. According to the manufacturer, the clamp is designed for Arca-style compatible 38 mm quick-release plates and works particularly well with the dovetail profiles from Really Right Stuff, Wimberley and Kirk.

By combining a multipurpose rail with an integrated quick-release base, you often save yourself an additional clamp on the tripod head. This reduces height, weight and potential sources of error and, yes, sometimes less hardware simply means more stability.

Scaled rail for panoramic photography and macro photography

The top side of the rail is scaled so you can precisely relocate your nodal point or macro positions. Especially in panoramic photography, once you have accurately determined the nodal point for various lenses, this scale is worth its weight in gold. You simply note the respective values and can later set them again without lengthy trial and error.

In macro photography, the scale helps you make fine focus shifts reproducible, for example for focus stacking or when you want to capture series with slightly varying perspectives. The MPR-CL II is explicitly recommended for panoramic photography and macro photography and thus covers two very demanding disciplines where precision and repeatability are crucial.

Safety stop screws for added security

Two safety stop screws are installed on the underside of the rail. These prevent accidental slipping out of the quick-release clamp if you open the clamp a bit too far or move the camera a little too far in the heat of the moment. Especially in vertical orientation or with heavier lenses, this is a very reassuring detail that you really come to appreciate once you’ve had a close call.

Thought-out details: bubble level, threads and dimensions

An integrated bubble level helps you align the rail quickly, which saves a lot of time especially for panoramas and architectural shots. On the underside you’ll find 2 x 1/4" UNC tripod threads, allowing you to mount the rail flexibly on various heads or adapters. The weight is a comfortable 174 g, sturdy enough to carry larger setups yet still light enough not to be unnecessary ballast in your backpack.

With a total length of 21.4 cm and a profile length of 18.9 cm on the underside, the rail offers plenty of adjustment range without becoming unwieldy. The width of 3.8 cm provides a stable contact surface, while the height of 2.1 cm keeps the profile compact.

Multipurpose rail in everyday use: from panoramas to macro setups

In practical use, you can deploy the MPR-CL II as a nodal point rail on a panoramic head, as a sliding base under a telephoto lens or as a macro rail for finely controlled focus shifts. The combination of Arca-style compatible quick-release base, scaled profile and QD strap mount makes it a kind of “central building block” in a modular system.

And if you work a lot with wide-angle lenses: for certain panoramas with very short focal lengths, the shorter MPR-CL is often the better choice because it is more compact and easier to balance at the nodal point. The MPR-CL II, on the other hand, scores with more adjustment range and greater flexibility when you also want to cover telephoto or macro setups.