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FAQ Questions answered in this document
· WHAT IS THE M2 CINEMA LENS ADAPTER?
· I THOUGHT IT WAS CALLED THE MICRO35?
· I HEAR IT WON AWARDS?
· DOES THE M2 FIT MY VIDEO CAMERA?
· DOES PAL OR NTSC MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR CAMERA COMPATIBILITY?
· WHAT 35MM LENSES DOES THE M2 WORK WITH?
· CAN I USE MY CANON EF (EOS) LENSES?
· CAN I USE MY CANON FD LENSES?
· I DON’T HAVE ANY 35MM LENSES – WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND?
· IS THE M2 UPGRADEABLE?
· I WANT TO USE THE M2 FOR DV NOW, BUT I'M UPGRADING TO HD LATER. WILL IT WORK WITH BOTH CAMERAS?
· IS A ROD SUPPORT SYSTEM REQUIRED FOR THE M2?
· WHICH BUNDLE SHOULD I GET – THE INDIE BUNDLE OR THE DIGITAL CINEMATOGRAPHER’S BUNDLE?
· SHOULD I GET THE HD OR SD VERSION OF THE BUNDLE?
· HOW DOES THE ROD SUPPORT SYSTEM MOUNT TO MY TRIPOD?
· WHERE IS THE M2 MANUFACTURED?
· HOW MUCH LIGHT DOES THE ADAPTER LOSE?
· WHY IS THE M2 POWERED?
· HOW MUCH NOISE DOES THE M2 MAKE?
· HOW MUCH DOES THE M2 WEIGH?
· DOES THE FOCAL LENGTH OF THE 35MM LENS CHANGE WHEN USED WITH THE ADAPTER?
· DOES THE M2 REQUIRE A RELAY LENS, OR CAN IT BE ATTACHED DIRECTLY TO THE CAMERA BODY, LIKE A CANON XL2 OR A JVC HD100?
· IS THE IMAGE UPSIDE DOWN?
· WHERE CAN I ORDER THE M2?
· WHAT IS THE PRICE OF THE M2?
· WHAT IS THE LEAD TIME FROM ORDER TO SHIPPING AND WHY DO YOU EVEN HAVE ONE?
· I WANT TO EVALUATE A M2 BEFORE I BUY. WHAT DO I DO?
· I WANT TO WRITE AND ARTICLE AND/OR REVIEW THE M2 – WHAT DO I DO NEXT?
WHAT IS THE M2 CINEMA LENS ADAPTER?
The M2 is an adapter that enables 35mm lenses to be adapted for use with your digital video or HD/V camera. This powerful addition to your camera allows you to achieve cinema-quality shallow depth-of-field (DOF), focus effects, and angle of view. It works with both cinema lenses and SLR (still camera) lenses. The M2 gives you access to a whole new world of 35mm lenses in a multitude of focal lengths, speeds, and zooms.
I THOUGHT IT WAS CALLED THE MICRO35?
Originally our adapter was the micro35. We since upgraded the adapter and released a new version – the M2 (short for micro35 version 2). The M2 is the currently shipping version of the adapter and has all the latest upgrades.
I HEAR IT WON AWARDS?
Yes. Redrock won the 2006 Mario Award at NAB for innovative products, a significant and prestigious honor of which we are very proud!
DOES THE M2 FIT MY VIDEO CAMERA?
Most likely yes. The M2 is designed to be camera-independent, and has several adjustments that allow you to fit the M2 to your camera. So far itÂ’s been successfully used with:
- Panasonic DVX100/DVX100A/DVX100B
- Panasonic HVX200
- Canon XL1/XL1S, XL2, XLH1, XLA1
- Canon XL2
- Sony FX1
- Sony Z1
- Sony V1
- Sony HC1, A1U
- Panasonic GS400
- Panasonic DVC30, DVC60
- Sony PD150, PD170
- JVC HD10, HD100, HD110, HD200, HD250
- Canon GL1, GL2, XM2
- Sony PC9.
The M2 works with cameras that have detachable lenses or lenses that are fixed to the camera (such as the DVX) but uses the camera's own lens as the relay lens in all cases. We are testing new cameras every day. At a minimum your camera must support a 72mm diameter threaded lens connection (such as for a filter), have a vertical spacing of 50mm between the base of the camera and the center of the lens, and have the ability to focus on very close-up objects. A specially designed achromat lens is provided with the M2 to assist in close-up focusing. Also, many step-up and step-down rings are available to adjust your lens to 72mm. If your vertical spacing is not 50mm, you can also purchase an optional shim kit from us.
DOES PAL OR NTSC MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR CAMERA COMPATIBILITY?
The adapter works equally well with both NTSC and PAL cameras.
WHAT 35MM LENSES DOES THE M2 WORK WITH?
The M2 is designed to support many different kinds of lens mounts, including both still and motion picture lenses
- Canon EOS mount
- Canon FD mount (works with Canon FL lenses as well)
- Nikon F mount
- Pentax K screw mount
- Minolta MD (note: does not work with Minolta AF lenses)
- Olympus
- PL mount motion picture lenses (such as Zeiss, Cooke, or Arri)
- OCT-19 mount lenses (such as Lomo)
Please note Lens mounts are also interchangeable. For example you can use Nikon or Canon SLR lenses for low budget productions, and switch to a PL mount and rent some high-end cinema primes (like Cooke or Arri), all using the same M2. When you order your M2, you can specify the lens mount at that time. Please note that support for lens mounts will be rolled out over time. If your lens mount is not listed, let us know and we can tell you when it will be available.
CAN I USE MY CANON EF (EOS) LENSES?
Yes, but please note there is a limitation with Canon EF lenses. Because the aperture is electronic (instead of mechanical), the EF lenses do not allow you to close the aperture without being connected to a canon digital camera body. Despite this limitation, we've seen great footage coming out of EF lenses.
CAN I USE MY CANON FD LENSES?
Yes BUT some Canon FD lenses has a similar limitation as the EF lenses (described
above) unless they have an FL mode. Canon FL lenses work fantastically well.
I DON’T HAVE ANY 35MM LENSES – WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND?
In general, we would recommend going with Nikon lenses. They are the best quality/performance for the price, excellent glass, and readily available. We recommend looking for older manual focus Nikon lenses that can be found used online (on eBay) or in camera stores.
IS THE M2 UPGRADEABLE?
Yes. We strongly believe in providing continuing enhancements to our adapter and continue to do so. The M2 is designed to be easily upgradeable by you without requiring special knowledge or tools. We are currently shipping our third generation image element. Upgrades are low cost. All new orders ship with the latest available image element.
I WANT TO USE THE M2 FOR DV NOW, BUT I'M UPGRADING TO HD LATER. WILL IT WORK WITH BOTH CAMERAS?
Yes, most likely. The M2 is designed to be adjustable to just about any camera.
IS A ROD SUPPORT SYSTEM REQUIRED FOR THE M2?
Yes, the M2 requires a rod support system. We offer a great high quality rod support
system as part of our M2 bundles. The M2 requires standard 15mm rods, 60mm
center-to-center. It is possible to use your own rods, but keep this in mind: the M2
must be fitted to be directly in line with your DV or HD camera, so your rod system
must be adjustable left-right or designed specifically to mount things like a matte
box onto your camera. Up-down adjustments can be made via the Redrock Shim Kit.
WHICH BUNDLE SHOULD I GET – THE INDIE BUNDLE OR THE DIGITAL CINEMATOGRAPHER’S BUNDLE?
If you want to use cinema lenses (such as Cooke, Arri, Zeiss, etc.) you need the Digital CinematographerÂ’s Bundle. If you want to use still 35mm lenses (such as Nikon, Canon, Minolta, etc.) then you need the Indie Bundle. If you don't know or don't own any lenses, go with the Indie Bundle.
SHOULD I GET THE HD OR SD VERSION OF THE BUNDLE?
We provide both and HD (high definition video) and SD (standard definition video) version of each bundle. If you are currently using a standard definition DV camera (such as a DVX100 or Canon XL-2) the SD bundle is the right choice. If you use HD or HDV cameras (such as Panasonic HVX-200, JVC HD100, or Sony Z1/FX1) the HD bundle is the right choice. The HD bundle also works with SD cameras, so it's the right choice if you are currently using SD and considering an upgrade to HD later.
HOW DOES THE ROD SUPPORT SYSTEM MOUNT TO MY TRIPOD?
It mounts using standard 3/8” or 1/4" screwmount.
WHERE IS THE M2 MANUFACTURED?
We manufacture the adapter here in the United States.
HOW MUCH LIGHT DOES THE ADAPTER LOSE?
Like many other approaches to 35mm adapters, you will experience some loss of light when using the adapter. The loss of light is about 1/2 to 1 stop. You can compensate for this by more brightly lighting your scenes, opening the aperture, or adjusting your shutter speed.
WHY IS THE M2 POWERED?
We rotate the image element to remove any trace of grain or dust in your image.
Static adapters suffer from grain showing in many instances, including focusing on
bright objects or sky. A moving image element solves this problem. Since you donÂ’t
have to compensate your shots for static grain, you have much more flexibility in
your shooting situations.
HOW IS THE M2 POWERED?
The M2 is powered by a single standard 9v battery (easily replaceable), or by an optional 120v AC adapter. The 9v battery has been tested to run at least 24 continuous hours. The AC adapter is not required, but it is a nice option if you do a lot of studio work and don't want to change out batteries.
HOW MUCH NOISE DOES THE M2 MAKE?
It is nearly silent.
HOW MUCH DOES THE M2 WEIGH?
The adapter weighs 1lb 15 oz
Our rod support system weighs 2lb 10.5 oz
DOES THE FOCAL LENGTH OF THE 35MM LENS CHANGE WHEN USED WITH THE ADAPTER?
The M2 does not change the focal length of the 35mm lens. Users have complete control over the backfocus to fine-tune this setting. You can use the full 36mm x 24mm frame size of still film lenses, and also frame 18mm x 24mm film lenses.
DOES THE M2 REQUIRE A RELAY LENS, OR CAN IT BE ATTACHED DIRECTLY TO THE CAMERA BODY, LIKE A CANON XL2 OR A JVC HD100?
The M2 mounts directly to the standard lens on your camera. There is not currently a version that connects directly to camera bodies. A high powered achromat designed and developed by us is provided as part of the M2 adapter that allows your camera to use its own lens to focus on the image element.
IS THE IMAGE UPSIDE DOWN?
Yes, and it is upside down by design. No, not that we think it's a great thing, but we felt it was a small concession for a high quality, inexpensive 35mm adapter. Fortunately, there are a number of very easy solutions:
First on the production side - you can purchase an on-camera LCD monitor that provides the flip on the camera - they typically cost from $200-500 or more, depending on your budget and needs. We have partnered with EVSOnline.com who provides these at a M2 discount (visit evsonline.com or call EVS: their phone number is available on their website).
Second, you can put a small magnet next to the viewfinder to 'trick it' into flipping upside down. This is the least expensive approach, though redrockmicro does not endorse this solution - check DVXUser or DVInfo.net for detailed discussions on the pros and cons of this approach.
Third, some users have reported opening their Canon XL viewfinder and flip the screen 180 degrees around (we don't endorse this approach, we are just pointing it out). You can also use a field monitor and just flip it upside down.
For post-production, every modern NLE supports flipping the image 180 degrees, so you will have no problems with the actual footage.
WHERE CAN I ORDER THE M2?
The M2 is currently only sold direct through the redrockmicro.com website.
DO YOU ACCEPT AND SHIP INTERNATIONAL ORDERS?
Yes
WHAT IS THE PRICE OF THE M2?
All of our prices are available under the purchase menu from our home page at
www.redrockmicro.com. We have both individual products, and product bundles offered at discounted prices.
WHAT IS THE LEAD TIME FROM ORDER TO SHIPPING AND WHY DO YOU EVEN HAVE ONE?
Currently the estimated lead time is less than 3 weeks from the time you place the order to when your order is shipped. Often we ship within a 1-2 days of receiving your order. If timing is important to you, please email
sales@redrockmicro.com and ask for the current lead time for orders placed that day. This “build to order” approach enables us in part to deliver a high quality adapter at such a revolutionary price. Please note this is an estimated delivery time - actual time may be shorter or longer depending on demand. We always encourage people to plan production schedules only when they have the adapter in hand, have tested it, and are comfortable with its operation. Please note that while we do everything we can to deliver in this timeframe (and we most often do) this is an estimated lead time; actual lead times may vary.
I WANT TO EVALUATE A M2 BEFORE I BUY. WHAT DO I DO?
To deliver a great adapter at such a low price, our demonstrations and footage are primarily online and accessible via our website. We also exhibit at trade shows (such as NAB and Cinegear) and occasionally conduct “hands on” sessions. If you are interested in attending these, we encourage you to sign up for our newsletter to be informed of when these happen (you can sign up for our newsletter by going to
www.redrockmicro.com). We do not have an evaluation program or demo units available. We encourage you to look at the sample footage, read reviews and articles, ask us questions, and speak to others in our forums that have direct experience with the M2. We continue to reach out to those who can give an objective review and publish it widely (let us know if you know someone). We are sure you will be thrilled with the M2 and the other Redrock cinema accessories.
I WANT TO WRITE AND ARTICLE AND/OR REVIEW THE M2 – WHAT DO I DO NEXT?
Great! We always want to support noted publications and opinionists. Contact us at
press@redrockmicro.com. Please briefly include which publication or company you are representing and the purpose of your review.
Thanks again for your interest in Redrock and the M2
The Redrock Micro Team