NEW ADAPTER: Redrock M2 Encore

BitterJester said:
Does the $995 "M2 Indie Bundle" in redrockmicro's store include the M2 Encore? It only says "M2 Cinema Lens Adapter" on the site; can't tell whether that's an older version of the adapter or just an omission of the word "Encore."
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My understanding is that is going to be the M2 Encore when they update it. But they haven't updated the page yet so I wouldn't order the $995 bundle without emailing or calling redrock first.
 
ewilliams2 said:
Recieved this email when I requested info on the Encore bundle:

Thank you for your email and interest. The $995 Bundle is for the current M2
cinema lens adapter. That Bundle and special price is still available here:
http://shopping.netsuite.com/s.nl/c.472981/sc.2/category.9/.f

The similarly equipped M2 Encore is $1795. You can always buy the M2 now and
upgrade to the M2e later.
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The $1795 price includes rails and what not whereas the adapter itself alone should cost $1kish. M2's are still 1/2 off ($500ish) as well... and the press release states the upgrade price for M2s to M2Es in it. So keep that in mind.
 
Hi guys

There will be a overlap phase where the M2 will still be available as an economical alternative to the m2e. I know a lot of folks want the latest and greatest and don't see a huge price difference, but for some folks $995 for a complete system is still an investment for them.

As ewilliams pointed out the M2 Encore is available separately, and there are upgrade paths between the versions of the products.

Also the M2 standalone is $375 (m2e is $995).

hope that helps

Brian
 
any idea when footage will be released? Very curious to see the performance of the new GG in relation to all the other guys out there. Especially against the rotorazor 1 & 2
 
I'm trying to round some footage up this weekend. Provided that everything lines up properly as far as a location and props go for me.

Soon as possible.
 
Kholi said:
I'm trying to round some footage up this weekend. Provided that everything lines up properly as far as a location and props go for me.

Soon as possible.
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Hi Kholi. So you have one? How improved over the original? Still need to stop down to 5.6 (on a DVX/HVX) to get the better out of it?
 
i thought someone said they had footage already but could not release it until RR made the announcement?
 
i've got an hmc150, so if i wanted to get this adapter without the kit then i'd need to purchase the m2e lens adapter and the mircox encore achromat? and thats it? or do i not need the acromat?
 
I'd really like to know about sharpness and vignetting. I've just finished two more shorts with the RR and both involved the new GG and both were poor at the edges. Anything beyond a 35mm was downright awful.
 
I got my credit card in hand, but waiting for the footage to be released. The unit sounds dreamy, cept I am still a little weary about vignetting, almost all footage I have seen from the latter Redrocks appear to have it. The website says "Completely reformulated optics to eliminate distortion and vignetting" but that sounds like a "we hope this fixes it" not a guarantee. I need a confident "Absolutely no vignetting" like Letus has before I throw down for this.
 
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Yep - you can get rid of vignetting if you take the time tweak it. But the new microXencore has 30% wider optics (which are also flatter), and that allegedly takes care of the vignetting issues. This is according to Brian over in the redrock forum - I would suggest you read through the forums there to get some more information direct from the source.

I have only ever had vignetting with my Nikon 28/2.8 - and I was able to correct it easily by taking the time to properly set up my M2.
 
that makes sense,but even video from Redrocks own site has vignetting so that does not help much. but none the less...most want to be able to pick up and shoot with minimum down time and not having to tweak the hell out of it to get it right, time is money. Ex. Letus's backfocus.
 
Yep - footage is next up. We have a few things we are coordinating here. in the m2e there isn't any tweaking that needs to be done in the adapter for optimal lens performance. In addition, I am really looking forward to the collimating tutorial for the m2e. It's incredible simple and effective. One of our key design criteria for the Encore was "don't have to open the adapter for any reason". The rechargeble battery, collimating mount, ability to swap lens mounts, cleaning port, etc. are all informed by that.




Brian
 
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Hi Brian

I was looking forward to see the new redrockmicro stuff at broadcastlive in london in two weeks. Now I found out that you skip this event. Why?

Peter
 
aurantaurant said:
The first M2's had zero vignetting if they were calibrated right. Most people didn't take the time to do that.
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That's simply untrue.

I took a whooooooole bunch of time trying to get mine set up right and finally gave up and sold it, awaiting someone (even RR) to come out with an adapter that could meet my picky standards.

I should point out that I'm talking about using it with wide angle lenses, the achilles heel of this whole adapter concept. The day someone makes an adapter that I can mount up a Canon FD 24/2.8 on and get no vignetting, that's the day I'll buy that adapter.

There were a few other reasons for vignetting that the M2 and MicroX suffered from. A big one was that they simply cut it too close on the size of the glass through the MicroX. Zooming in on that tunnel caused edge darkening that was unavoidable in the best of situations, and hopeless if your sensor was misaligned (like on all the HVX200s). Sounds like they have that one nailed on the new design for the MicroX, and things like the externally adjustable lens collimation are going to save everyone a lot of time in calibrating it right.

So I'm guessing this new stuff is going to give spectacularly good results with lenses 50mm and above with reasonable sized rear glass. No vignetting at all? Wouldn't surprise me, actually. But for 28mm and down, I'll only believe it once I see it.

Duncan
 
frobozz said:
That's simply untrue.
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I second that. The M2 was terrible with vignetting and unsharp corners. Tweak all you like, it was no good, especially at wide angles, but it actually was quite poor on most focal lengths.

Brian blamed my lenses, which are all superb on LetusEX, Nikon SLRS and RED. Go figure...

Still I forgave RR due to their superb Mattebox. The encore may be nice, but there's norhing there that raise eybrows, except the Canon mount. A year ago it would be HOT.
 
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Hi everyone

Augenblick - We are still being represented by Production Gear showing the new M2 Encore at Video Expo, which has always been the plan.

frobozz/chagchag - one of the things we focused on in the M2 Encore is making setup much easier and faster. There were things about the M2 that took time and effort (especially collimation), so in the Encore we really improved the whole setup. There is no reason to open the adapter for any adjustment, change the battery, etc. We ran through 12 complete camera setups yesterday in about 4 hours using both standard fov and wide angle lenses, and one of the comments coming back was the Encore is much more "forgiving" in the setup. Larger optics and the reengineered internals make it easier.


chagchag, I apologize if it came across as 'blaming your lenses' - troubleshooting adapter setups is always tricky because we aren't there in person, and lenses are one of the things we look at.


I also think you are really underestimated the Encore. We are talking about a feature set and technology on par with adapters costing $4500, and the complete package including baseplate, rods, and lens mount is $1995. I think that should raise a lot of eyebrows.


Thanks again

Brian
 
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