EX3 Relay for Letus adaptors

[philip bloom]

I have a thread in totally the wrong place, in the EX1/3 area...hopefully it can get moved in the meantime here is my latest post.

I did a web commercial last week with Suresh Kara of DocuMovie using the EX3/ Relay/ Ultimate and it was AWESOME. It was the first time I used it and it was sweet.

You can see some pics on my blog here: http://philipbloom.co.uk/2009/02/10/more-pics-of-ex3-letus-relay/

and here is my latest blog with some pics.

 

[Dino]

Thanks Philip, the spot looks good! The 1/2" Letus Relay lens should have been faster than the stock EX3 lens for sure.

 

[philip bloom]

Thanks Philip, the spot looks good! The 1/2" Letus Relay lens should have been faster than the stock EX3 lens for sure.

Definitely. It was pin sharp edge to edge. Academy frame size though...A joy to use, no more checking to see if I have knocked the stock lens focus...

It's f1.5, the same as the B4 pro. Be interesting to see what the pricing will be on it...

 

[Kholi]

I've always wondered what the advantage of the EX-3 relay could possibly be, it slipped my mind that there are two major points that make it worthwhile before the size of the rig even comes into play:

1. Speed. Totally forgot the EX3 Relay would be, should be faster than the stock lens at the same focal length.

2. Edge Sharpness. It was designed for optimal edge sharpness with the Adapter, I noticed this when I used the HPX3000-- The field is as flat and as sharp across the frame as can be with the Letus B4 Pro Relay and Ultimate combo. I think it's even better than my Ultimate + HPX170 combo.

It's also good that if you needed the wider field you STILL have a lens you can attach to the Ultimate, so those interested in using a Vistavision(esque) frame could turn to the stock lens.

I'm really interested in the EX-3 Relay + HPX300 (not 3000) combo.

 

[philip bloom]

What you need Kholi is a 1/3" relay for the HPX300. Am sure it is in the works. Be crazy not to be as the camera will probably sell bucket loads!

It's definitely better in low light as it's f1.5

edge sharpness is superb. Best I have seen! it still works really well with stock lens just not as pro and not as good in low light.

 

[Dino]

Hien told me the Letus 1/2" relay is $4500 USD. Many people look at their camera zoom lens and think that f1.8 will be the speed when using an adapter, forgetting that they have to zoom in for relay use. So, what might have been an f1.8 at the wide to mid range, will drop to an f2.4 or 2.8 when on the longer focal length an adapter requires. For interiors, an adapter that only loses 1/2 a stop and a relay that is an f1.8 or f1.5, this makes a big difference in the amount and/or size of lighting instruments needed. Zoom lenses on most video cameras really ramp down on long focal lengths for light transmission.

I think most Ex3 owners would have a hard time justifying an Ultimate and 1/2" relay lens, for a total of $9K USD, but if shooting indoors a lot, it makes real sense.

A camera like an EX3 or HPX300 with full raster resolution can really make use of a very sharp adapter and relay lens--more so than an HPX500, IMO.

 

[philip bloom]

Hien told me the Letus 1/2" relay is $4500 USD. Many people look at their camera zoom lens and think that f1.8 will be the speed when using an adapter, forgetting that they have to zoom in for relay use. So, what might have been an f1.8 at the wide to mid range, will drop to an f2.4 or 2.8 when on the longer focal length an adapter requires. For interiors, an adapter that only loses 1/2 a stop and a relay that is an f1.8 or f1.5, this makes a big difference in the amount and/or size of lighting instruments needed. Zoom lenses on most video cameras really ramp down on long focal lengths for light transmission.

I think most Ex3 owners would have a hard time justifying an Ultimate and 1/2" relay lens, for a total of $9K USD, but if shooting indoors a lot, it makes real sense.

A camera like an EX3 or HPX300 with full raster resolution can really make use of a very sharp adapter and relay lens--more so than an HPX500, IMO.

I agree.

I have to send it back to Hien in a couple of weeks as it is the only one in existence and he needs it...Going to be hard going back to a stock lens!

 

[Dino]

Philip, I'm sure Hien would understand if it got "lost in transit"! No probably not. I'm looking forward to when you get your hands on an HPX300, especially next to an EX3. I think the HPX300 and a 1/3" relay lens with the Ultimate will be a fantastic combination.

 

[philip bloom]

Philip, I'm sure Hien would understand if it got "lost in transit"! No probably not. I'm looking forward to when you get your hands on an HPX300, especially next to an EX3. I think the HPX300 and a 1/3" relay lens with the Ultimate will be a fantastic combination.

Yeah, going to see it for first time tomorrow at Broadcast Live. I think it will be the Ultimate 35mm adaptor camera. All those features, that chip, that screen, that codec...just wish it used SxS media and not P2. I have a MacBook pro and the DualAdaptor that lets you use p2 on it is horrible and causes computer to crash all the time. SxS in Macbook pro is a beautiful partnership...

I am counting on Sony bringing out their own Convergent Design style box for the EX3 that lets you record 50mbs 4:2:2 on SxS. Also on it being much smaller and more Nano sized, integrating beautifully with the EX3 like the Hard Drive does...

 

[Dino]

Yes, I have the DualAdapter for my clients, but I use a G4 and Shotput. Super simple, but G4 is not up to dealing with AVC Intra. Panasonic needs an inexpensive P2 reader. Do you know if SxS has the throughput to handle 100Mbps?

 

[philip bloom]

Yes, I have the DualAdapter for my clients, but I use a G4 and Shotput. Super simple, but G4 is not up to dealing with AVC Intra. Panasonic needs an inexpensive P2 reader. Do you know if SxS has the throughput to handle 100Mbps?

I know someone else who is buying an old Titanium G4 just so he doesn't have the headache of DuelAdaptor any more. Don't understand why there isn't something more stable out there. Sony have a cheapish USB reader for SXS, maybe that's the answer, you won't get the high speed but at least you won't get the dreaded grey screen!

I would have thought SxS will handle 100Mbps as it's a damn fast system, but I think if Sony bring anything out they will make it PDW700 XDCAM 50Mbps 4:2:2

 

[Dino]

Philip,

Before you return the Letus 1/2" Relay prototype, could you compare how much more sensitive the relay is vs. the stock EX3 lens at the focal length used for adapter use?

I'd also be interested in seeing if there is any difference in contrast as well.

 

[Joseph Stunzi]

Oh Jeff... you and your charts, contrast, and sensitivity! Eventually, someone will do proper testing! I don't know who. Wait i do!

 

[Dino]

Joseph,

Yea, Lenny and I will shame you into it. Remember the mantra, "must shoot wedge chart, must shoot wedge chart", and you'll do fine!

 

[Lenilenapi]

Hey Jeff,
I don't think I've heard the term " wedge" chart before. I always just think of a Resolution chart and a wedge chart would be a series of step wedges for exposure testing. I looked it up on google and only found the step charts.

Lenny

 

[Dino]

Lenny,

Yeah, I call resolution chats with gray scale steps, "wedge charts", which is probably not correct. I am thinking of "transmission step wedges", which many resolution charts contain, usually 10 step wedges. The ISO chart you and I use doesn't have the gray scale steps, but I use other resolution charts that do. The gray scale steps are good for testing dynamic range, gamma, looking at detail settings and contrast, as you probably know.

 

[philip bloom]

Philip,

Before you return the Letus 1/2" Relay prototype, could you compare how much more sensitive the relay is vs. the stock EX3 lens at the focal length used for adapter use?

I'd also be interested in seeing if there is any difference in contrast as well.

will do!

 

[philip bloom]

mmmm...very tricky as it's impossible to know what the ex1/3 stock lens is at when zooming in...but by my rough calculations you are gaining about 1.5 to 2 stops...am trying to work it our more scientifically now. Not got a very scientific brain me

All i can say is yes, it is much brighter and the zoom factor isn't as bad as I first thought it would be.

Tomorrow I will revisit the location of my short film Piccadilly Furs and do a sort of sequel using the ex3 relay and ultimate and see how it looks...very unscientific...but fun. Mark Dawson will be joining me. If anyone is in the area around 2-430 I will be around Eros.

 

[Dino]

mmmm...very tricky as it's impossible to know what the ex1/3 stock lens is at when zooming in...but by my rough calculations you are gaining about 1.5 to 2 stops...am trying to work it our more scientifically now. Not got a very scientific brain me

All i can say is yes, it is much brighter and the zoom factor isn't as bad as I first thought it would be.

Thank you Philip. 1.5-2 stops is significant--makes a huge difference for interiors. It can represent a lot of extra/higher output lighting gear. Even if there wasn't much of a difference in overall sharpness or contrast, the extra speed alone makes the relay lens a great interiors tool!

 

[philip bloom]

Thank you Philip. 1.5-2 stops is significant--makes a huge difference for interiors. It can represent a lot of extra/higher output lighting gear. Even if there wasn't much of a difference in overall sharpness or contrast, the extra speed alone makes the relay lens a great interiors tool!

Still testing...think it may be closer to 2 stops...sharpness and contrast is similar. sharper with relay as expected. Shocking to see the same shots done with the camera clean. Looks SOOOO different and not talking about DOF.