To augment their extremely popular 35mm adapter and MicroFollow Focus, Redrock Micro has released 3 new accessories: the MicroWhip, the MicroPod, and the Micro Lens Support. (Two additional accessories are slated for release at NAB ‘07. We’ll update you when we those accessories become public and when we can review them here.) The MicroPod is a baseplate-mountable rear nacelle that can hold batteries to power both your camera and the M2 35mm adapter, while the Micro Lens Support is a rod mountable cradle that allows filmmakers to use large cinema and telephoto lenses. Neither of these accessories requires much explanation, other than to mention that, in our use of both, we’ve found them to be made of high quality, machined parts.
Instead, we chose to focus and review the accessory that might seem the most unusual to other digital filmmakers: the MicroWhip.
One of the big challenges Redrock Micro has faced in creating a system that allows low budget filmmakers to use 35mm lenses on their digital cameras is how few of us are familiar with shooting motion picture film. Oh, sure, most of us have used 35mm SLR still cameras, but the use and lighting of motion picture film is very different. These differences must be understood to successfully use a 35mm adapter (as the M2 provides the power of motion picture film) but also many of the special needs of it, as well.
In a still camera, if you don’t have enough light coming through the lens aperture, you can just leave the aperture open for longer to absorb more light. For the most part, this is not a viable option for motion film, as you are shooting 24 fps. (I say for the most part, because you can adjust shutter speed on motion picture film, but not the same way you do for still film.)
This issue of motion is what provides one of the most compelling features of the M2: the ability to rack focus (shifting focus from one object to another) in mid-scene. Unfortunately, adjusting focus by hand, even with a follow focus unit like the MicroFollow Focus, is very difficult to do without shaking the camera and ruining the shot. It’s virtually impossible for the cameraman to do while monitoring the shot, which is why most motion picture film shoots involve having an assistant to the camerman called the “Focus Puller”. This person’s entire job is to simply move the focus from one object or character to another, via monitoring marks made on the lens or follow focus device. However, even very skilled focus pullers have difficulty adjusting focus in mid-shot without shaking the camera.
This is the problem the whip was created to solve. This ingenious solution uses a flexible rod with a handle attached to it to turn the follow focus’ gear. Because the rod is flexible, it absorbs any impacts and shakes from the focus puller, thus allowing focus to be pulled smoothly without the camera shaking. (This flexibility is also what earned this device the name, “Whip”, as it does resemble a strange whip.)
The MicroWhip is Redrock Micro’s more economical version of the traditional film whip and is specially fitted for the gear system utilized by the MicroFollow Focus. They are available in 3”, 12”, and 18” sizes, purchased as either a pack of three or individually.
Ease of Use
If you’ve ever used a socket wrench, you will find the MicroWhip pretty easy to use, as each whip has a male socket end, which then slides into the female socket fitting found in the handle of the Micro FollowFocus.
I do wish that the interlocking of these two parts was made a little easier and more secure. Currently, the head of the whip has a small bearing lock, just like the aforementioned socket set; however it is a bit difficult to see where to line the bearing up on the female socket hole in the MicroFollow Focus handle, as there is currently no marking to indicate this. Additionally, the flexibility of the whip makes it a little harder to slide into place than a rigid socket head. This leads to a few mis-insertions before you get the head in place. This could be improved by utilizing a depressible pressure lock that could be opened and closed by hand pressure when the head is inserted, as well as a marking on the handle to line the lock ball up with.
