Everything you wanted to know about the Letus Extreme and were too afraid to ask

This looks like a viable option for the Matte box:

www.geardear.com

Ready-to-use Package "Medium"

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It goes for $330 (including $50 shipping to the US).

This along with the INdiFOCUSpro and indiRAILS makes for a complete solution under $1000.

Does anyone use gear from GearDear?

My only hesitation is ordering from a company that is outside of the US...
 
Can anyone confirm whether or not the Extreme sits a bit off of the horizontal plane therefore requiring a certain amount of side-to-side adjustment from a rail system?

Thanks,

DM
 
8DFM.com said:
Point being - I think a Matte Box manufacturer would make a killing here if they could clearly outline their MB offering and its usage with any of the 35mm adapters (and hopefully be a lot less than $500) ;)
Click to expand...

Another solution is to get a clip on matte box like this one: http://www.cavision.com/matteboxes/4x5clampon/4x5clampon.htm

That would solve all of the problems- however you would have to figure out a way to secure it to the SLR lenses, as they vary in size....
 
taormina said:
Respectfully, I don't know why you'd want that double layer setup. It's heavier, more complicated, and totally unnecessary. Here's mine. Again....
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Before figuring out this system I set mine up the same way that you have yours set up, and it does not work good enough with GRAD filters. (At least it is not good enough for me.) If you are not using grad filters, then this issue is moot, and your setup is the way to go.

However, I like to use grads on my exterior shots, and I need to be able to have the grad cover the sky. When I set it up how you did, the grad that I have ended at the top of the frame- instead of starting at the top of the frame and ending towards the center.

The added weight- about 1 - 2 pounds is not that big of a deal to me. I actually prefer the added weight, as it gives the camera a smoother movement, especially when it is shoulder mounted. The camera is starting to feel more like the Varicam, and other large camera that i have used. (It is not there yet, the Varicam is MUCH heavier, but it is gettign closer.)
 
Digital Muse said:
Can anyone confirm whether or not the Extreme sits a bit off of the horizontal plane therefore requiring a certain amount of side-to-side adjustment from a rail system?

Thanks,

DM
Click to expand...

Not yet- the rail mount for the Letus Extreme is due out soon, and then it can be tested out. I'm sure that the Le brothers have taken this into account, so that it will work - however we'll see when it comes out. (The unit I have is pre-rail mount, so there are no rail issues.)
 
Does the Cavision matte box come with a rod bracket that connects the MB with the rods? on all the pictures I've seen on Adorama and B&H, I dont see any connecting construction on it..... so I guess an additional bracket is needed. If so, how much is it? Any ideas?

Is it cheaper ordering directly from Cavision?

Thanks,
 
Ryan:

Nice setup. Just out of curiosity though, why do you have your $10,000.00 HVX rig sitting on a U.S. $150.00 Bogen 501 head? You should check your purchase priorities, I have one of those 501 heads and it's junque and near useless for smooth pans or tilts.

Step up from that girly tripod head and get a Sachtler or O'Connor that is more befitting your killer HVX.

You too Adam, what's up with the Bogus tripod head? I did the Sachtler DV-6SB when I bought the HVX. Come on, you both know you want one...

Just busting your balls! ;-)

Dan
 
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Dan - any comment on the Matthews m25 tripod? I just purchased one for my DVX-100b/Letus/rails/matte box/follow-focus configuration... Just curious.

Also - I just got an email back from Gear Dear.

The "Medium" package is $280 and the 50/60/70 are an additional $25.

Q: Are the 50/60/70 Rings what go around the 35mm lenses to make them fit with the Matte Box? Here is a link:

http://www.geardear.com/lensmount4x5.htm

Other than that the French Flag and Side-wings are $75 each.

Total (with US shipping): $505

Just wanted to update on pricing since I misspoke in my earlier post ;)
 
Hi 8DFM:

I know nothing about the Matthews tripod, never heard of it. Generally Sachtler, O'Connor, Panther and Vinten are considered to be at the top of the tripod food chain.

Millers and Cartonis, in my experience are the next step down.

Then there is Bogen.

Dan
 
8DFM,

Probably not going to find a lot of field input on the M25's as they just came out pretty recently. Apparently they were previously affiliated with Libec which produces (IMHO) some damn fine gear. If the M25's are anything like the Libec LS-38's, then you've got a great set of sticks at an awesome price. Here's a review on the LS-38's if you haven't read it already: http://www.dvuser.co.uk/content.php?CID=150

At the moment, I've got a Libec LS-55 which I chose because I wanted excess capacity for even more additional accessories than the ones you listed such as an external monitor, extra battery packs, Firestore recorder, etc.... etc... you get the picture; it never ends.... I needed something that could handle 20+lbs if the need arose. In addition, it's got silky, super smooth action with a two-step, adjustable true fluid drag head. Best tripod I've found so far for < $1,000...

Next step up in my book would be a Miller Arrow 25 on a set of Carbon Fiber Solo VJ sticks. If only I had just a few extra $$ just idly laying around begging to be spent :-)

Let us know how your M25 works out...

Cheers,

Leo
 
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davidreimers said:
Does the Cavision matte box come with a rod bracket that connects the MB with the rods? on all the pictures I've seen on Adorama and B&H, I dont see any connecting construction on it..... so I guess an additional bracket is needed. If so, how much is it? Any ideas?

Is it cheaper ordering directly from Cavision?

Thanks,
Click to expand...

Cavision is easy to work with for orders so you might try that. However, you have to contact them in order to get their price list. The prices are fairly comparable.

As far as the matte box goes, I would check with Cavision, or B&H to make sure the bracket comes with the matte box- it looks like you can order the matte box with or with out the rail bracket: http://www.cavision.com/matteboxes/4x5hs/4x5hs.htm

The rail mount is standard 15mm- so it will work with any other 15mm rail system.
 
puredrifting said:
Ryan:

Nice setup. Just out of curiosity though, why do you have your $10,000.00 HVX rig sitting on a U.S. $150.00 Bogen 501 head? You should check your purchase priorities, I have one of those 501 heads and it's junque and near useless for smooth pans or tilts.
Click to expand...

Yep I agree! I have a 501 & a 3046 head, both of which are fine for "junior" type work. I have recently gotten into renting gear rather then buying it- my preference is to use / rent a $6,000+ tripod like a Satchler and use that. There is no comparison to those tripods- they are beautiful and I love them. I already rent my lights, so throwing in an industry standard tripod to the rental package makes more sense to me then dropping $6,000+ on a tripod.

So that is why you see it pictured with a 501 head. (I wasn't about to go and rent a tripod just so that I could take a picture for the web. I know it would have looked "cooler" but I can take the flack for having the 501 in the picture.)
 
puredrifting said:
Generally Sachtler, O'Connor, Panther and Vinten are considered to be at the top of the tripod food chain.
Click to expand...

If you can afford it- get one of these- they are worth every penny, and they are all pretty much the same and will get you GREAT results. My own personal preference in order of first to last is: Sachtler, O'Connor, Vinten (I have not worked with Panther yet). But this preference may have more to do with the rental houses here in town, as they stock Sachtler and O'Conner tripods. :)
 
Ryan E. Walters said:
Cavision is easy to work with for orders so you might try that. However, you have to contact them in order to get their price list. The prices are fairly comparable.

As far as the matte box goes, I would check with Cavision, or B&H to make sure the bracket comes with the matte box- it looks like you can order the matte box with or with out the rail bracket: http://www.cavision.com/matteboxes/4x5hs/4x5hs.htm

The rail mount is standard 15mm- so it will work with any other 15mm rail system.
Click to expand...

Thanks Ryan! I will go ahead and contact Cavision.
 
Dan - I'm super thrilled with the Bogen 516 head. It supprts 22lbs, and I wasn't about to spend more money just for the sake of spending it. As it was, the tripod and head were like 1300 bucks.

That head does absolutley everything I need right now.
 
Oh my god guys... I just got a O'connor 50, its the love....

The Miller 25 is AMAZING as well.
 
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