Thinking of a Letus 35FE... Hope these grabs & review help.

[Kip_Kubin]

This post is for anybody who is thinking about buying a Letus 35FE

Here are my thoughts and some grabs that I hope aid you in your decision.

These grabs were taken with my DVX 100A Scene 6 All settings at 0 except for Detail +7.

This grab is the Unit shut off. Just fo you can see the grain. MF65 is where my grain is in focus. I have Zoomed in to 95 to eliminate the edge vignetting.

Here's the same image with the unit turned on. Still no CC.

Here's the same image with a bit of CC and a widescreen matte.

I will say that different lenses require a diffrent setup. I had a borrowed 50mm and could zoom out to 86 with no signs of vingetting but for now I just have a 28mm.

What I like

The unit is in one piece... not in stages like the M2. I like the M2 but if you bump the unit by accident you 've got to stop and make sure everything alligned. No problem, if you've got the time, but if your running and gunning it might be a problem.`

It works. It works well!!!

The unit is small - you can hold your camera and get to the focus (hand held) sounds like a dumb point but try it with an M2 and a 300mm lens. Maybe I need longer arms.

Easy to setup and use.

No FLIPPING


What you need to use it

You have to get rails. The unit can twist so a solid support is needed to ensure the unt's propper alignment. Manfroto has a cheep solution (Telephoto Lens Support 3420) As that support is in two pieces Id recomend some Cavision rails. Around $200us and their lens support.

Condensed air. Dust does get into the unit so you need a quick way to solve that problem.

Fast lenses for indoor use without additional lights.

What I don't like.

The Battery Pack is cheep. Meaning the compartment where the double A batteries are held is made of plastic and my clasps are already worn. Gaffer tape was my fix.

Nikon Mount just snugs it never really "mounts" with a click like the mount on the M2


In general all these 35 adapters will work it's just which one will work for you.

Just dont make the mistake of thinking the Letus is $700. You need good rails and a lens Support. Cavision's are about $300

I've used both the M2 and the Letus. I like them both for different reasons. I chose the Letus.

Please post any questions and I'll answer what I can.

Kip

 

[c.g._eads]

Hey Kip,

Thanks for this post.

What is the actual difference between this version and the last one?

How difficult is it to keep it in focus?

Can you post some stills with different lenses?

Can you post pictures of the actual setup?

Thanks, C.G.

 

[PaPa]

im realoy curious how there is no snap in function for the lens? It just does what then, sits in and you have to balance it in? How exactly is it held in place?

 

[Kip_Kubin]

Reply

Reply

What is the actual difference between this version and the last one?

How difficult is it to keep it in focus?

I guess you're talking about the Letus 35 Flip Enhanced and other Letus models.

The big difference is the prism mechanism that flips the image in camera. I know that the company is always tweeking out their designs. I emailed the them with some questions and got a speedy reply. Best anyone with questions do the same before they hand over their $700

As for focus

I don't find it hard to find and keep focus. It's the same rules as any 35mm.

If you have to be wide open on your f stop you'll have a shalow DOF. I just mark focus and rack if theres a critical focus with movement.

As for getting focus, I use the focus enhancer on the DVX and usually use the eyepiece not the LCD. I do have a LCD shade for outdoor use if I need to.

In general I keep the DVX on f5.6 and use the iris on the SLR lens. Then I'll apply ND filters to get the iris I want for the DOF.

Here's the setup

Nothing fancy... as I said, I am using the Manfroto Telephoto Lens Support but am switching to the Cavision rails this month.

As for posting other lens grabs... yes, when I get a few more lenses. Just have the 28mm now. Currently hunting on eBay.

 

[Kip_Kubin]

Nikon Lens Mount for Letus35 FE

Nikon Lens Mount for Letus35 FE

im realoy curious how there is no snap in function for the lens? It just does what then, sits in and you have to balance it in? How exactly is it held in place?

You just twist and snug the Nikon lens. The Canon will snap into place.

I could be wrong on this, so other users please let me know.

I will say you can snut it tight enough so that you don't have to worry about the lens falling off.

 

[c.g._eads]

You and I know that this produces great images and gives you so many more options as far as DOF. But it is kind of a hacked-together looking setup. Do you ever worry that the actors, producers, etc. -- people who don't understand the technical side of a camera image and only see the camera for what it is -- will think it looks "unprofessional"? I remember, before I knew anything about cameras, I'd just see some big slick looking camera and think, "whoa, that's serious". This seems like something you'd need to make excuses for (this is not to attack your purchase. I'm seriously considering getting one as well).

C.G.

 

[Kip_Kubin]

You and I know that this produces great images and gives you so many more options as far as DOF. But it is kind of a hacked-together looking setup. Do you ever worry that the actors, producers, etc. -- people who don't understand the technical side of a camera image and only see the camera for what it is -- will think it looks "unprofessional"? I remember, before I knew anything about cameras, I'd just see some big slick looking camera and think, "whoa, that's serious". This seems like something you'd need to make excuses for (this is not to attack your purchase. I'm seriously considering getting one as well).

C.G.

Most prople don't care or they understand that the budget that they have given you to work with requires using certian types of equipment.

It's all about what's best for the project and the money given to do the job.

 

[Ryan]

I've shot with the Letus35 FE twice and let me say that it is great for out doors. But indoors it can be a pain. It seems like the adapter cuts down at least 5 stops of light as opposed to the 1.5 stops that is advertised. Focusing can be a pain too. But what is expected for 700 bucks?

 

[Barry_Green]

It drops two stops of light, not five.

In outdoors situations I'm concerned about the static grain pattern that shows up in the skies and in whites. Is anybody else seeing this? It's like a layer of grit that muddies up the brightest elements in the picture. Nowhere near as gritty as when the motor's off, of course, but when it's on, it's like it's perfectly syncronized with the shutter and delivers a static, gritty pattern, like fixed-pattern-noise over the image.

 

[StormFactory]

As for posting other lens grabs... yes, when I get a few more lenses. Just have the 28mm now. Currently hunting on eBay.

Don't forget that you can also use Canon lens with the Letus. I saw some 50mm 1.8 on auction starting at around $6. I got mine off eBay for $14 with shipping including.

Here is a 50mm 1.8 for $6.

 

[StormFactory]

Just dont make the mistake of thinking the Letus is $700. You need good rails and a lens Support. Cavision's are about $300

Bump the Cavision rails and go with the indiRAILS. The Cavisions are too short if you want to use a follow focus and a long 35mm zoom lens. indiRAILS are $99 for the 10 inch and $129 for the 18 inch. I went with the 18 inch. I'm including a picture of my setup below.

You and I know that this produces great images and gives you so many more options as far as DOF. But it is kind of a hacked-together looking setup. Do you ever worry that the actors, producers, etc. -- people who don't understand the technical side of a camera image and only see the camera for what it is -- will think it looks "unprofessional"?

There been a lot of Letus posts lately and I feel like I'm posting too much, but to answer your question, no. People are blown away by how professional this little package looks. It could actually look a little too professional making it hard to just guerilla-style shoot some places. As for your actors, as long as you make them look good and have a great script, they don't care. But with that said, you tell actors you're shooting DV and they get one picture in their head. Then, you whip out this thing and that picture is shattered and they'll be saying, "Whoa, cool setup."

 

[Kip_Kubin]

GG and the filming

GG and the filming

It drops two stops of light, not five.

In outdoors situations I'm concerned about the static grain pattern that shows up in the skies and in whites. Is anybody else seeing this? It's like a layer of grit that muddies up the brightest elements in the picture. Nowhere near as gritty as when the motor's off, of course, but when it's on, it's like it's perfectly syncronized with the shutter and delivers a static, gritty pattern, like fixed-pattern-noise over the image.

Hi Barry,

I've seen that as well. In some shots more than others. So I'm trying to find out why theres a difference.

One time the vibrator didn't kick on. (Another post I found tells of "restarting" it, after you install a new battery, by tilting the unit toward the ground.) and I really saw what you are talking about then.

I am location scouting tomorrow and I'll do some tests and post some grabs.

A question for you... do you notice it more at a particular shutter speed?

 

[Kip_Kubin]

I'll check into the indiRAILS... Thanks

I'll check into the indiRAILS... Thanks

Bump the Cavision rails and go with the indiRAILS. The Cavisions are too short if you want to use a follow focus and a long 35mm zoom lens. indiRAILS are $99 for the 10 inch and $129 for the 18 inch. I went with the 18 inch. I'm including a picture of my setup below.

Thanks for the rail tip. I'll look into the Indirails... I thought the Cavisions would be too short for some applications.

What follow focus do you use?

How do you secure the Letus to the rails? Do you? I'm sure you could use the Cavision Lens bracket (R15-LS25) with the indiRails

Thanks again,

Kip

 

[Kip_Kubin]

I'm guessing that you use an indifocus???

Are the rails the industry standard as far as their width apart? This may be a very dumb question but I thought Id ask.

Kip

 

[Kip_Kubin]

OK... I just read your picture. indiFOCUS

 

[jgastelb]

Hi Barry,

I've seen that as well. In some shots more than others. So I'm trying to find out why theres a difference.

I have noticed the static look of grain in mine as well in some outdoor shots. Also, high shutter speeds and Letus do not go together. The motor only rotates at one speed and therefore cannot accomodate for the quick shutter. This is definitely something to consider. I still love the Letus though.

Jgastelb

 

[StormFactory]

What follow focus do you use?

How do you secure the Letus to the rails? Do you? I'm sure you could use the Cavision Lens bracket (R15-LS25) with the indiRails

Thanks again,

Kip

Yes, you need to secure the adapter to the rails so the follow focus can get torque. There is an attachment that you can get with the rails. That's what that blue cable is in the picture. It is hold the adapter to the attachement, thus securing it to the rails.

The rails are industry standard 15mm rails with the proper width as far as I know. Haven't tested it with any other accessories that go on rails.

 

[StormFactory]

In outdoors situations I'm concerned about the static grain pattern that shows up in the skies and in whites. Is anybody else seeing this? It's like a layer of grit that muddies up the brightest elements in the picture. Nowhere near as gritty as when the motor's off, of course, but when it's on, it's like it's perfectly syncronized with the shutter and delivers a static, gritty pattern, like fixed-pattern-noise over the image.

Hi Barry. I have not noticed static grain with the motor on yet. It could be that your motor in not on or fell sleep after turning it off or swtiching batteries. The motor is too damn quiet and it needs an LED to tell you when it's on.

Do you have any screen grabs of what you are talking about?

The two attached high resolution images are with the motor off and with the motor on. I can see the grain in the whites with it off, but not on.

 

[Ryan]

something must be wrong with mine because it's at least five stops of light loss. Oh ya and B+H sells a nice set of rods for only 160 bucks and they work and look pro.

 

[rapsucks]

I noticed with my M2 that it was much more than the advertized .5 to 1 stop of light loss. But then I realized I was slapping a Canon lens on that had an F2.8, so that brings it up. Using a light meter, we calculated about a 3.5 stop light loss through the whole unit with lens.

I'm not sure exacly how the math of F stops works when you have two irises in circuit, but another thing to keep in mind is that you'll get the best results if you can stop your camcorder down farther.

In short--blast that light, baby.