Letus Extreme or Brevis w/ external monitor

B

bt_impaler

New member
I've spent a long time reading the forums and trying to determine what route to go with a 35mm lens adapter. For two years I've been holding off buying anything (no money), but now I finally have enough to spend so I upped my research again~ $1500-2000 on this.

My friend has a canon xa h1 and that's what I intend to use it on. Initially, I was leaning towards the M2, but then upon further research I liked the Letus Extreme for its flip capabilities because that way I wouldn't need an external monitor. Then I read further and discovered that without an external monitor you can't pull focus accurately. Also the Letus looked like it needed rails - then I found the Brevis - and that had a nice rail package and modular design (promising a flip unit) which I also like because it's then easily upgradeable.

With this set up, I'm looking to shoot mostly hand-held style short films and, in the future, wedding videos (obviously there's more I'd do, but that's what I'd do most frequently). Because most of what I'd do would be hand-held, I want to avoid a monitor. So, could I get away by going hand-held with the Letus Extreme and that mini support system it comes with to work with my Nikon lenses (28mm f/2, 50mm f/2, 105mm f/2.8) or will I need to get a monitor - and in that case I'd go Brevis.

If I go the brevis route with a monitor, how difficult does hand-held shooting become? Do I need an HD monitor? Is the tote vision HD 7" monitor servicable and can it be mounted upside down? That's it for now. I'm sure with each quesiton answered I'll have two more. Thanks.

Brad
 
You will need a hd monitor for hand held to get accurate focus.
You will also want a comfortable shoulder support.
 
Thanks for the quick response. If an HD monitor is necessary, then it seems a flip module is useless. Rendering a flip/flop effect in post isn't difficult. And I just looked at shoulder supports and they're within my price range.

Have you heard about the Tote Vision LCD-703HD? That's the only HD monitor that I can afford - I know Marshall is a good brand but it's more than twice the price. Between $600-700 is all I have and this site offered that http://www.ggvideo.com/tot_lcd703hd.php. (Plus it wasn't in Brooklyn - I nearly got scammed there last year when I thought I was getting a DVX for $1000 steal - then discovered the scam ring and quickly cancelled my credit card. How do those places operate?!) But I digress. Since it doesn't appear to have flip capabilities - do you think it's possible to clamp it upside down, or would I need to get an articulating arm (thus spending the extra money taht could be spent on a nicer monitor).
 
For handheld I would really suggest some kind of articulating arm for a more comfortable view. Plus, the viewing angle on a lot of these lcd's are not that good.
 
I second the articulating arm, however now that the LEX is right side up, you don't need as large of an arm to hold the monitor as your did prior in order to flip it (if you had to and the LCD didn't have flip built in)

I've got a Bogen Magic Arm, but for handheld, it's almost just a tad heavier than I prefer - there was a rig set up posted here, I believe it was a Brevis rig (possibly from the Cinevate site) that had a couple of small Bogen parts that when put together, attached to the rods and placed the monitor just off the side of the cam - very inexpensive as well.

cheno
 
The Brevis can be used flipped (with the flip module) or non-flipped as you prefer. In either mode, a good external monitor is great, particulary with the XH-A1 outputing focus assist externally. Check out the new Nebtek which has been getting high praise for adapter use: http://www.siliconcine.net/temp/NEB70HD%20Cut%20Sheet.pdf

The Brevis in flip configuration is 2.3 lbs...making it the lightest flip adapter out there. Regardless, I would use rails with it, having shot both supported and unsupported.

The Bogen parts we used for a cheap mount are here:
Bogen/Manfrotto 484RC2 Ball Head(with removable camera plate..fits 701RC2 fluid head too) This is effectively a quick release for the Marshall.
Bogen/Manfrotto 2933 $15

And a few pics here: http://www.cinevate.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=537
 
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bt_impaler said:
If an HD monitor is necessary, then it seems a flip module is useless.
Click to expand...

Sometimes things arent always what they seem.

there is no way id ever want to waste ONE minute flipping footage "in post" now that I shoot with the LEX.

And its relatively inexpensive to get an adapter that does the flip, so, why not?
 
don't go with tote vision. I've used it regularly and I've had issues with the Red channel peaking when it definitely shouldn't be. The monitor definitely needs to be calibrated before shooting, I've found that out the hard way. Try an Ikan, Nebtek or Marshall
 
Thanks for the feedback.

Considering most of what I'll be shooting would be delivered SD on DVD, best case scenario - would the for example would the LCD screen or let's say an SD VariZoom 7" monitor suffice? Or is that lack of precision still noticeable in standard definition. If it is only noticeable when viewing it in HD, then perhaps I can forgo a monitor and then would go with the flip module. So many variables, so much potential, and so little money. I know the investment in the adapter would just be the tip of the iceberg.
 
Also when will the Brevis flip module be released and how much will it cost for those who buy the brevis? I didn't see it on their website so I can't make an assessment.
 
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