Letus Extreme/DVX-100b/IndiFOCUSpro TEST FOOTAGE

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Spent the afternoon in Santa Cruz, CA shooting some test footage with the Letus Extreme, IndiFOCUSpro, IndiRAILSpro, and DVRigPro HD and I used Magic Bullet Looks to color the video. - *Please note* - I wasn't going for perfection with the color grade - just wanted to experiment.

Streaming:

http://8dfm.imeem.com/video/icHxQPAC/8th_dimension_film_music_letus_extreme_and_indifocuspro_te/

Download (right-click "save target as"):

Windows Media Video - (29.6MB)

Quicktime H.264 .MP4 - (95.6MB)

Observations:

1. There was a speckel of dust on one of my lenses - don't know if it was on the 50mm or on the Letus. Since I did not see it when shooting I think it may come down to needing a larger LCD external monitor when shooting with the Letus - not only for dust but for better focusing.

2. The IndiFOCUSpro worked great. I caution its a lot harder to pull focus with an adapter since the focus plane is so small but the IFP did a great job with no "give" or "play" to speak of.

3. The DVRigPro HD was very flexible in shooting "handheld" and also going off the shoulder mount and doing very low-to-the-ground shots.

4. I did not know before how important a Matte Box was in shooting outdoors - I know now. I wouldn't recommend shooting without one outdoors. I left mine at home yesterday and you can see in some of the "grassy knoll" shots at the end where you get major lens flares.

Overall I'm very happy with my configuration. I think it was mentioned in Stu Maschwitz's book "DV Rebel" quoting the commentary on the 2004 film Primer - "Composition is cheap". I can't emphasize this enough and I'm challenging myself personally to get better at composition.

Any thoughts, feedback, suggestions?

Thanks!
 
"1. There was a speckel of dust on one of my lenses - don't know if it was on the 50mm or on the Letus. Since I did not see it when shooting I think it may come down to needing a larger LCD external monitor when shooting with the Letus - not only for dust but for better focusing."


I was discussing this in another post a few days ago, about cleaning your lens/equipment before a shoot.

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=115188

I can recommend always brush/air duster your lens/elements before shooting. I always use a larger carry on or stationary monitor on big shoots or even little practice shoots. Practice makes Perfect! Good thing you know that now and not figured this out on a paying gig like I have in the past. :)




"2. The IndiFOCUSpro worked great. I caution its a lot harder to pull focus with an adapter since the focus plane is so small but the IFP did a great job with no "give" or "play" to speak of."


Depending on what the beveled/miter gears are made of (nylon, aluminum, steel, etc..) you don't want to push them beyond limit. When this happens you'll start to introduce backlash. Now every set of gears has backlash, if they didn't the two gears would be stuck together and would not move at all.




"4. I did not know before how important a Matte Box was in shooting outdoors - I know now. I wouldn't recommend shooting without one outdoors. I left mine at home yesterday and you can see in some of the "grassy knoll" shots at the end where you get major lens flares."


:)
 
Hey do you need to use a monitor to get proper focusing on the dvx 100b? Or can you just use the LCD? I know with the HD cams it sounded like you needed one due to the better resolution.
 
I've been debating this myself the last few weeks since getting the LEX - I think I'll most likely go with the Ikan V-8000 or possibly the Tote 703HD.

For my DVX-100b it is almost good enough to use just the LCD - BUT - I've come to the conclusion to get pin-point accurate focus pulling you really want a bigger/sharper monitor to know exactly where to put your stop.

I also have a 90mm f2.8 MACRO lens and I'm sure it will be hard to pull focus with precision w/out an external monitor.

Another option for me for indoor/greenscreen shoots is to us Adobe OnLocation as an external monitor. Otherwise for field shoots I'll probably need an external monitor and sun hood.

Anyone else...?
 
I picked up the Marshall monitor for my Canon A1. It was pricey, but worth every penny. I never shoot without it.

Another great element is the fact that I have a Canon battery mount on the back to power it. It makes life easy.

If you are going to buy a monitor, I would suggest that you get one that will last as you upgrade.
 
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