Day 1: HMC with Letus Ultimate

[AGMedia]

Many months back I saw some kind of review on this site that described itself as being about the Letus Ultimate used with the HMC150. The review seemed to make sense (with the exception of the "fungus" on the glass, thing) -- but the linked sample footage on Vimeo was exceptionally strange -- meaning it really didn't look like it came from an Ultimate and may or may not have come from an HMC150.

Well, on Tuesday a Letus Ultimate really did arrive here, and on Wednesday and Thursday I took it outside and played with it -- attached to an HMC150.
Assuming the "incompetent newbie" factor -- meaning there's a good chance this footage is as bad as it can get -- I share with you my very first test footage:

LINK: http://www.vimeo.com/5642367

The bottom line -- the Ultimate really does transform the HMC150 to a different camera -- and if the logistical advantages of the HMC150 (long recording, mpeg-4 compression, smaller files to archive, inexpensive data cards the size of postage stamps, etc.) can be combined with even more impressive imaging -- well -- that's a winner.

[Derrick_SA]

very very nice.

the ultimate must be awesome, I've got the Extreme, hoping it would make enough money to get me the ultimate before the still "video" cameras take over he he he.

- Derrick

[Everts]

nice clip, but I havent seen anything that you cant do with the HMC 150 naked / no adapter.

[AGMedia]

very very nice.

the ultimate must be awesome, I've got the Extreme, hoping it would make enough money to get me te extreme before the still "video" cameras take over he he he.

- Derrick


Thanks, Derrick!

To be honest -- the Ultimate has been terribly fun to discover. I'd have been out today -- but it's pouring rain -- and I'm not interested in testing its water resistance capabilities.

I've stopped lenses all the way down, all the way open, and used all the shutter speeds on the HMC -- and so far -- it's working exactly as advertised.

[AGMedia]

nice clip, but I havent seen anything that you cant do with the HMC 150 naked / no adapter.


Thanks. It's been fun playing with this thing.

I could answer your "naked" comment with a vast discussion of several thousand words -- but the short version -- as a guy who's been relentlessly testing the HMC for a range of production applications -- is "no." Spending hours in post you may be able to come close to the Ultimate color appearance -- but it would take hours in post -- or, it looks like that from the camera with the Ultimate. In terms of shallow focus, that talking head (me) for example, I'd have to have the camera backed up fifteen feet from the subject, or deal with lens distortion if the subject is three feet in front of the stock lens, and the so-called "bokeh" wouldn't compare. Also, the Zeiss lenses add all sorts of creative dimensions and capture qualities that simply can't be done with the stock lens.

The truth is that I threw every state-of-the-art technology at HMC150 footage to avoid the added weight and complications of an adapter. But, the perfect truth is that the HMC is a vastly, vastly better camera with an adapter.

[nfc565]

wow....that was incredible. im kind of pissed i just bought an M2 now...after seeing that. and also, it looks like it says you live in DC? where in the hell is this in DC? we should meet up sometime. :)

[DEPTH OF PHIL]

Looks great, I Double agree on the tiresome fix in post comment!
Shoot as much as you can in camera, Unlock the potential , the adapter will help you unlock that door.
Cheers

[Justyn]

This is some really nice footage, but seems a bit crazy to me to spend more on an adapter than the camera you are using... especially since there's such amazing strides being made on the DSLR side of things... of course they really have some issues of their own too.

I was ready to sink the cash in one, but I"m too on the fence especially seeing what the GH1 delivers and this is just the first generation of it. With the same lenses on the GH1, I'm wondering if there's that much of a difference to warrant paying 4500 bucks for it...?

Still.. not to be a negative nelly.. what you are producing is money and lovely for sure. How is the set-up of this? I've only had limited time on one and I can see that there's a learning curve and it harkens back to my 16mm days...

[AGMedia]

wow....that was incredible. im kind of pissed i just bought an M2 now...after seeing that. and also, it looks like it says you live in DC? where in the hell is this in DC? we should meet up sometime. :)


Thanks! That's the "newbie" footage -- so, in theory, it gets better with experience.

Way back when the 35mm adapter evaluation process started I looked at Redrock -- and it should be magnificent -- meaning you should have no regrets. It wasn't an option for me for reasons entirely unrelated to the image quality it produces -- meaning I needed something for both deep and shallow focus that I could leave on the camera and have all the footage match in post.

The footage was shot around my home in the Shenandoah Valley (west of DC). For most of the last ten years (and where my new production company is based) I lived in Loudoun County (where Dulles Airport is located) -- and when people asked where I lived I answered "Loudoun County" -- to which they responded "Where's that?" -- to which I responded "Washington DC area" -- to which they responded "Oh, ok." So -- for purposes of an international "forum" -- I avoid that annoying conversation by listing "Washington DC" as my location.

So -- if you're in the DC area -- keep me on you list of contacts if you have any great production ideas. I've got a shiny new production company in Loudoun County that is aggressively looking for projects to produce!

[AGMedia]

Looks great, I Double agree on the tiresome fix in post comment!
Shoot as much as you can in camera, Unlock the potential , the adapter will help you unlock that door.
Cheers


All my thanks!

As you well know -- whatever you can get right in-camera is time you don't spend in front of some computer.

I look forward to seeking your advice with annoying newbie questions as this journey unfolds.

Again, thanks!

[AGMedia]

This is some really nice footage, but seems a bit crazy to me to spend more on an adapter than the camera you are using... especially since there's such amazing strides being made on the DSLR side of things... of course they really have some issues of their own too.

I was ready to sink the cash in one, but I"m too on the fence especially seeing what the GH1 delivers and this is just the first generation of it. With the same lenses on the GH1, I'm wondering if there's that much of a difference to warrant paying 4500 bucks for it...?

Still.. not to be a negative nelly.. what you are producing is money and lovely for sure. How is the set-up of this? I've only had limited time on one and I can see that there's a learning curve and it harkens back to my 16mm days...


Thanks!

The logic behind the HMC150/Ultimate combo is actually extensive -- and requires a vast explanation that in part relates to our business strategy -- and I should be out shooting right now -- so the "bottom line" is simply combining all the logistical strengths of the HMC (mpeg-4, compact and cheap recording media, long form recording, etc.) with the best possible image quality (Ultimate with quality glass).

For example, with twenty 16 gig cards in my pocket -- I've got thirty hours of "PH" recording capacity (essential for documentaries, etc.). How many P2 cards would I need to accomplish that? And if I can't afford that many P2 cards, what kind of hardware do I need to carry along to accomplish that objective (lap tops, hard drives, etc.)?

So -- if the above were to lead you to conclude the HMC is a more viable production solution than any P2 or tape option -- then improving the HMC's image quality to the best extent possible is the next logical step.

Finally, I would point out that this setup is still cheaper than an EX3 -- yet offers vastly greater flexibility -- meaning I can stick the adapter on another camera, use the HMC "naked," and no CMOS issues ("jello," etc.).

In other words -- I could go on typing -- but I assure you there is logic and extensive thought behind this move.

The GH1 appears very nice -- but none of these DSLR cameras with a video option are yet to the point that I can use them by themselves in entirety to film a documentary production. I believe the future is indeed one of affordable pro cameras with affordable interchangeable lenses that record on cheap media -- but I'm thinking that's three to six years away -- and I need to be filming in a week. In terms of a B-camera for a wedding -- they are entirely viable. In terms of a workhorse for the production of historical documentaries -- it isn't there yet.

You wrote: "How is the set-up of this?" Forgive me, but I'm not sure I follow. It's the Letus with V2 rod support system and various Zeiss primes. In terms of time to set up -- not long (although it took time to get the V2 rod support system done properly) -- but in general the strength of the Ultimate is that I can leave it on the HMC "always" -- capturing matching shallow and deep focus footage -- and simply switch lenses as appropriate.

Yes, the learning curve is substantial. The first issue is re-learning the HMC scene files with the Ultimate (because everything looks different). The bigger issue is getting to know the lenses. Every lens is different -- all sorts of strengths and weaknesses -- and knowing how to get the best out of a lens takes time.

OKAY -- time for me to run outside and shoot! Again, thanks!

[Justyn]

Cheers and I'm a 150 owner, and I love the camera. I am just being a bit of a Scottish filmmaker this year since so much of my work has gone south.. or north.. or into bankers hands or something like that.

I understand your needs and what you are producing is awesome. I'm just trying for once to be frugal with the spending as who knows what will happen to a lot of the work that's coming in. However, I am starting the process towards my next feature and when the time comes around (late 2010) then I will have some decisions to make.

You are right on the GH1... it's a B camera for me and one that I'm seriously considering just due to the cost and its producing a very pleasing image. I just shot something recently with the Sony new interchangable cam.. the 6 or something.. forgot the name, but man that thing sucks for ergonomics.. you'd need it on sticks and or a support rig.. and I guess I've just become spoiled with the Panny layout and design.. and weight....


I was wondering if this was as much of a PITA as the Redrock Micro was. I've had a short limited bit of exposure with that and also the Brevis.. and both seemed to have too much set-up time.

CONGRATS on your purchase and I'm sure we are all eager to see more lovely images.. .There's no doubt that it does something wonderful to the image, I'm just a bit worried about what it would do to my bank account.. Cheers!

[JJ_HomeFri]

Hey, that is some great looking footage! Looked absolutely beautiful on my monitor. The only thing is that in the final scene, the motion of the water is quite jittery and not smooth or flowing. Is this a product of the compression for putting it on the internet, or is this something to do with the camera or it's settings? I ask because I am considering buying a HMC150.