BigMike
Well-known member
Thought I’d let you folks know that I had a chance to view and play with a Redrock Micro M2 35mm adapter and their forthcoming follow-focus!
First off, I ought to tell you that based on all the user group comments and friendly correspondence with the folks at Redrock Micro, I ordered a M2 for my HVX200 sight unseen. Ever since then, I’ve been buying Nikon lenses like mad on Ebay. I’m starting to feel like I have a pretty nice basic set consisting of a 105mm, 85mm, 50mm, 35mm and, as of last night, a 20mm.
When I got to the location, several DPs were playing with a 20mm lens about eight feet from a sofa with a coffee table between (about three feet from the camera) the camera and sofa that sported a vase of flowers. They were using a JVC HD100, running from component-out to an upside-down LCD HD monitor which was mounted on a C stand. The only light source was coming from large windows covered with thin white paper.
All eyes were glued on the monitor as the sofa went from blurry to sharp relief and the flowers went out of focus. Astounding!
Then they pulled out the 50mm and knocked my socks off! I focused on the flowers and the sofa was a complete blur. Then I focused on the closest flower and slowly focused from flower to flower until we reached the last flower in the vase. The closest flower was out of focus by this time. Man, and I had doubts about this product not being bitchin! Was I wrong!
This is when I got to play with the follow focus.
The Redrock Micro Follow Focus mounts on same rails as the M2 and matte box (should you have one). I first held it unattached to the camera and it felt very solid. When you turn the knob, you can feel the smoothness of the bearings inside. It’s all gears; no band, like the Cinetech design.
Each of the 35mm lenses on the had its own gear ring. I’m told the follow focus will come with a kit that includes gears i.e.: When you place your order, you will have a paper ruler to wrap around your lenses and list the diameter of each lens focus ring. When it’s shipped, the kit will include a gear for each of your lenses which can be easily installed. I understand the price per gear will be very reasonable, which is nice if you have a large collection of lenses.
Once attached to the camera, you can adjust the focus with the knob, which has a dry-erase marking board for presets. They had a whip attached that made focusing without jarring the camera a breeze.. (Redrock doesn’t make a whip yet, but is in the works)
I’m told the pricing will start below 500.00, which is a third of what other folks are charging for products of this caliber. This company is doing things right. Great products at affordable prices.
Enough of my babbling: I’m just going to sit here with my checkbook waiting for the release of this excellent product.
Here’s a link to it, if you’re interested.
http://www.redrockmicro.com/mff_product.htm
One more thing before I go: When you’re at the site, check out REVOLUTION, which makes your laptop a field monitor. I wasn’t interested in the product because I already own a small monitor but they broke out a laptop and showed me some of the stuff this thing does:
Zebra Stripes on an eternal monitor.
A focus assist similar to the JVC (which I think is very cool)
I have no idea what they are going to charge for this, but it’s giving me a reason to think about buying a new laptop.
Cheers, everybody,
MIKE
rogar-BigGrin(DBG)
First off, I ought to tell you that based on all the user group comments and friendly correspondence with the folks at Redrock Micro, I ordered a M2 for my HVX200 sight unseen. Ever since then, I’ve been buying Nikon lenses like mad on Ebay. I’m starting to feel like I have a pretty nice basic set consisting of a 105mm, 85mm, 50mm, 35mm and, as of last night, a 20mm.
When I got to the location, several DPs were playing with a 20mm lens about eight feet from a sofa with a coffee table between (about three feet from the camera) the camera and sofa that sported a vase of flowers. They were using a JVC HD100, running from component-out to an upside-down LCD HD monitor which was mounted on a C stand. The only light source was coming from large windows covered with thin white paper.
All eyes were glued on the monitor as the sofa went from blurry to sharp relief and the flowers went out of focus. Astounding!
Then they pulled out the 50mm and knocked my socks off! I focused on the flowers and the sofa was a complete blur. Then I focused on the closest flower and slowly focused from flower to flower until we reached the last flower in the vase. The closest flower was out of focus by this time. Man, and I had doubts about this product not being bitchin! Was I wrong!
This is when I got to play with the follow focus.
The Redrock Micro Follow Focus mounts on same rails as the M2 and matte box (should you have one). I first held it unattached to the camera and it felt very solid. When you turn the knob, you can feel the smoothness of the bearings inside. It’s all gears; no band, like the Cinetech design.
Each of the 35mm lenses on the had its own gear ring. I’m told the follow focus will come with a kit that includes gears i.e.: When you place your order, you will have a paper ruler to wrap around your lenses and list the diameter of each lens focus ring. When it’s shipped, the kit will include a gear for each of your lenses which can be easily installed. I understand the price per gear will be very reasonable, which is nice if you have a large collection of lenses.
Once attached to the camera, you can adjust the focus with the knob, which has a dry-erase marking board for presets. They had a whip attached that made focusing without jarring the camera a breeze.. (Redrock doesn’t make a whip yet, but is in the works)
I’m told the pricing will start below 500.00, which is a third of what other folks are charging for products of this caliber. This company is doing things right. Great products at affordable prices.
Enough of my babbling: I’m just going to sit here with my checkbook waiting for the release of this excellent product.
Here’s a link to it, if you’re interested.
http://www.redrockmicro.com/mff_product.htm
One more thing before I go: When you’re at the site, check out REVOLUTION, which makes your laptop a field monitor. I wasn’t interested in the product because I already own a small monitor but they broke out a laptop and showed me some of the stuff this thing does:
Zebra Stripes on an eternal monitor.
A focus assist similar to the JVC (which I think is very cool)
I have no idea what they are going to charge for this, but it’s giving me a reason to think about buying a new laptop.
Cheers, everybody,
MIKE
rogar-BigGrin(DBG)