Redrock micro WFF

[Peter Hoare]

This is a quick video we did at Cinegear on the Xenar lenses:

 

 

We have actually limited the speed of the system in the software as we felt it might damage lenses to move them at the true top speed of the systems capability. We can of course tweak this limit if we feel necessary.

 

 

I have seen the BDR in action, I don't remember it being as fast as ours, but I could be wrong. Im happy to comply with any tests people want to see to prove it one way or the other.

 

 

Was good to finally meet you Eric, here is the link to the company that made my steel cards by the way... Im sure they have a US branch but cant seem to find the details online anywhere... http://www.plasmadesign.co.uk/metal-business-cards/

 

 

Pete.

[Brian Freesh]

Couldn't agree more Chris. Like I said, I hope to own a Preston someday. For all the reasons you chose to purchase one and feel it was a smart purchase. I think for what you do, and for what I want to do, Preston is the way to go.

 

I never debated one unit was better than the other. I made a statement of fact based on personal experience, that the BFD is as fast or faster to calibrate than a preston. As someone that owns a preston and can rent it to production I'm not sure why this would be of concern to you. Since it was, I simply tried to elaborate, but I think I helped us get off track. For me, someone who shows up with gear that works but is balked at and whined to by ACs who don't know what they're talking about, it is of concern. In a thread talking about what "affordable" wireless follow focus is best for purchase, I simply thought it was a worthwhile statement to make, as anyone considering an analog BFD should simply be aware of the stigma.

 

I imagine with the increase in digital WFF systems like the BDR and the Axis-1 this will no longer be an issue on set. I personally do not care which WFF I use as long as it gets through the day and I wish I did not have to own one at all. But if production wishes me to provide one, I have equipment that works great.

 

You are the first AC I've talked to who could voice other points than speed of calibration. :)

[William Demeritt]

What's this thread about again??

[RonBaldwin]

vote for Pedro

[David M. Aronson]

Vote for Bartech

[Daniel Stilling DFF]

1338794611[/url]' post='76931']

This is a quick video we did at Cinegear on the Xenar lenses:

 

https://vimeo.com/43330022

 

 

That calibrating speed is truly amazing!

[Gregory Dillard]

The Redrock Micro MICROREMOTE is going to shock the heck out of a lot of people! This i know!!

[Jess Haas SOC]

I knew it had some problems but shocking people seems rather serious.....

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

The Redrock Micro MICROREMOTE is going to shock the heck out of a lot of people! This i know!!

 

You mean the ff that they have promised for THREE years?

[Jess Haas SOC]

They first told me it would be ready the beginning of 2008 so more like 4 and a half years.....

[Gregory Dillard]

Jess,

trust me on this, don't worry as its a PHENOMENAL piece of work!

[James Sielaff]

To revive an old thread. I just purchased a Bartech/Heden system. An excellent setup. But not two weeks later, Redrock releases its system, with large claims, slick pics, and low price.

 

Now, I have hated every Red Rock piece of s I have ever used from them (all owned by other peoples/companies). But this relates to much of their first and second generation products. It was as if their designers said to themselves, "ok, we know what works, let's see if we can do something different." Poorly executed designs, and cheap materials.

 

But, they make bold claims, have good pictures, and low (for industry) prices. Some people swear by them; I swear at them. But they keep showing up.

 

So.... has anyone had hands on with the RedRock Follow Focus and motors?

 

Thank you.

[Daniel Stilling DFF]

RR has really alienated a lot of folks by promises and lack of fulfillment.

The system does look interesting, but my bet goes to the Bartech and the BDR. Solid, trusty and with easy to find guys that made them and will answer the phone to talk to you if there's any issue.

I have had AC's that previously turned their noses at the BFD, but with the BDR they really have no issues or complaints. They end up loving it as the hand unit is fairly light compared with others.

[Afton Grant]

Two things about this system piqued my curiosity when I watched the video on the website:

 

1) The iPhone interface. Sure, iPhones are great. Everybody has one. Also, Apple likes to change their software every two weeks, and their hardware every three. Simply put, I don't know that I would trust any of my professional, working gear to a consumer product such as that. Who knows what bugs could come of a software update that renders your equipment useless, or what new gear I would have to buy because they changed their hardware.

 

2) Response. I studied the video as best I could, trying to see what is going on amongst all the youthful edits and effects. It appears to me that there is a noticeable delay between the movement of the hand unit and the movement of the motor. For a wireless FF of any make or model, this is a deal breaker. With a majority of productions being HD now, more ACs are pulling focus off of monitors. As uneasy as this makes me, some can do it rather well, but none can do it if there's delay anywhere in the system.

 

I know I've been critical of this, and the other new wireless video system that came out at Cinegear last year, but I hope the manufacturers can take the criticism as constructive. If they're marketing to professional filmmakers (and according to RedRock's website, they are) there are simply some professional standards that need to be met. The thing that often surprises me, however, is so many of these standards are not new. They've been basic needs for ages, none of them secret.

 

One recent exception to this has been the Cinetronic monitors. A new brand, new face to the market, listened to what its customers needed and delivered it. Sure, it will evolve as we do, but it doesn't need to play catch up.

[Alan Rencher]

My Bartech was out on a rental when a job came up, so production was going to rent a RedRock. I called the rental house to set up a prep, and they told me that the follow focus had broken on it's first job. They sub-rented a second one to replace it, and it broke as well. If that isn't RedRock quality to a T, I don't know what is.