Last December I was able to demo a prototype from redrockmicro that absolutely blew my mind. I was already a fan of the Redrock M2, but, like any low-cost filmmaking tool, there were drawbacks. (For those of you who are new to 35mm lens adapter technology or simply not familiar with the Redrock Micro M2, check our review of the M2 that Andy Yardy did awhile back.)
Encore sports a collimating lens mount and a tray for changing screen formats.
After spending a day with the prototype of what would eventually become the M2Encore, I was jumping up and down, freaking out about it. I asked Brian Valente at Redrock Micro if I could start talking about it, but he was reticent to have any info out there.
I now understand why...the final M2Encore is even better than the prototype.
50mm, night, f1.8. No lighting!!!!
Ease of Use
The M2Encore is very simple to set up on your camera, and feels much more sturdy than earlier versions of the adapter. Once it's set up, it's as easy as flicking on a switch. The most noticeable improvement as far as ease of use is the rechargeable battery housing. It has a voltage regulator, so if you accidentally attach the wrong AC cable, it can regulate the power transfer properly. In the past, accidents like this have caused serious damage to the adapter motors, causing burnout or excess noise. Not having to change out the battery is a huge push forward. On low budget productions there is rarely ever enough time to tear apart the camera just to change a battery. And, unlike with the M2, you can even change the lens mount without opening the Encore.
Another improvement is in the setup itself. The Redrock can sometimes require x/y adjustment, and on some cameras it becomes difficult to find the proper zoom setting without getting vignetting, or, on the opposite side of the spectrum, getting sharp backfocus. Setting the correct zoom and backfocus is much easier.on the Encore, and there aren't so many necessary tweaks to fight against vignetting. Also, the collimating lens mount allows you to properly set up the distance of the lens from the adapter, so that your distance marks on the lens are accurate.
Rechargeable battery means no more breaking down the redrock to change batteries.
Last December I was able to demo a prototype from redrockmicro that absolutely blew my mind. I was already a fan of the Redrock M2, but, like any low-cost filmmaking tool, there were drawbacks. (For those of you who are new to 35mm lens adapter technology or simply not familiar with the Redrock Micro M2, check our review of the M2 that Andy Yardy did awhile back.) 
