Depth of Options
In the 3 pack, the options are pretty wide and varied, as the 3” whip can allow your focus puller to get in tight in hard-to-reach areas. On the other end, the 18” whip can allow your focus puller to stand kitty-corner to the camera or even allow the camera man to pull focus himself.
Performance
As with all the other Redrock Micro equipment, the Whips are very well manufactured and sturdy. Their flexibility absorbs impacts quite well, without being so flexible as to be flimsy or hard to turn.
Obviously, the 3” length takes the most practice, as it offers less length to absorb any shakes from the focus puller, but this also allows it to create faster rack focuses because its short length transfers torque more directly. By the same measure, the 18” whip takes the least practice because its long length absorbs more shakes, but it also absorbs more torque, making rack focuses slower. The 12” option obviously splits the difference between shock absorption and speed.
Value
The MicroWhip is very valuable and very useful. Additionally, the price is very good if you compare them to industry leaders. For example, a single chrosziel 12" whip runs about $190 vs. $60 for the Redrock version or $175 for all three Redrock lengths in a set. Nonetheless, I would still like to see the price on these come down a bit a bit more. A price of $100 for a set of three or $35 per whip would be a more manageable price point for our readership, in my opinion. Better still would be to bundle them with the MicroFollow Focus for a $700 total price. (Now, if you buy all your Redrock gear at once, they do have a package that includes the M2 Indie Film kit along with the MicroFollow Focus, the MicroPod, the MicroLens Support, and the three different MicroWhips for $1,800 for the SD kit or $2400 for the HD kit, which is a great way to get all of these great accessories for a great price.)
Final Comment
The MicroWhip is an essential accessory for the MicroFollow Focus, allowing the smooth, professional rack focuses that will make your next film shine. It cuts focus pulling preparation easily in half and provides an ability to pull focus from angles that aren’t possible without it.
