Redrock Micro: create the cinema experience

[Clay Parker]

I'd been using the M2 adapter and the MicroX with my Panasonic HMC150 for about a year. I recently received a few complaints about the vignetting in the images due to the MicroX. I tried all of the recommendations I could find on how to remedy the problem, but to no avail. Even zoomed all the way in, I still had dark areas in the corners.

I became so frustrated that I eventually decided to simply bypass the MicroX and screw on the HD achromat lens that I had used with my DVX100. In my frustration, I failed to read the recommended set-up for the HMC150 and the HD achromat lens. Big mistake.

I didn't use any spacers, just started screwing the achromat lens to the front of the camera. After only two rotations, the lens got tight. There was a sickening feeling when I realized that the two convex surfaces had met under pressure. I quickly unscrewed the achromat and noticed a crescent shaped scratch/crack almost dead center on the camera lens.

I shot some test footage indoors and out with a wide variety of f-stops. The scratch was EXTREMELY noticeable in the frame. So, after sending it to two different local repair shops and eventually to Panasonic, I had to face the ugly truth. The entire Leica Dicomar lens Assembly has to be replaced at a cost that nearly equals what I paid for the camera brand new. Not only that, but I've been out of work for almost a month now because I'm unable to shoot.

So, I've learned a very expensive lesson. Read the set-up charts before you start attaching things to your camera.

- Clay