Letus AnamorphX with FS700?

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Neutral

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I'm looking intro purchasing one of these. I found a guy willing to sell me a used one for $1000. Curious if anyone else has had any experience with one of these?

I've been interested in shooting anamorphic for a while now. From what I understand this seems to be the cheapest solution, since anamorphic lenses appear to be very expensive. Would there be any downsides to going this route? Give me your thoughts!
 
As I understand it (which, of course, means Mitch will chime in to point out I'm totally wrong!) anamorphic lenses tend to be optically similar to spherical ones, but with an additional anamorphic element added on top. So there's will be some image degradation due to this extra element (and you'll need to use longer lenses than you're used to for wide shots) but, assuming the element I well made, it shouldn't be worse than using speed booster which does the same
 
Colinelves said:
As I understand it (which, of course, means Mitch will chime in to point out I'm totally wrong!) anamorphic lenses tend to be optically similar to spherical ones, but with an additional anamorphic element added on top. So there's will be some image degradation due to this extra element (and you'll need to use longer lenses than you're used to for wide shots) but, assuming the element I well made, it shouldn't be worse than using speed booster which does the same
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Hmmm. I wasn't aware there was image degradation with the speed boosters. I was planning on getting the speedbooster soon and using it with whatever anamorphic route I take. Do you think that is a bad combo?

I'm going to look into the SLR magic as Sean suggested. I've heard of them but don't know much so I'll do some research.
 
Colinelves said:
As I understand it (which, of course, means Mitch will chime in to point out I'm totally wrong!) anamorphic lenses tend to be optically similar to spherical ones, but with an additional anamorphic element added on top. So there's will be some image degradation due to this extra element (and you'll need to use longer lenses than you're used to for wide shots) but, assuming the element I well made, it shouldn't be worse than using speed booster which does the same
Click to expand...

No, you're right.

The real issue with using both of these devices is focus. As focus is adjusted on the regular lens, it must also be shifted on the anamorphic element in front of it. On a regular anamorphic lens these two are directly mechanically linked internally, but with these adapters they must be adjusted separately. There is some range for the anamorphic so it's not like you have to be doing a two-handed focus pull all the time, but it certainly is something to get used to dealing with. As I recall, the Letus design is pretty well thought out and can allow one some room for focus adjustment within the shot, mores than the SLR Magic design.
 
Neutral said:
Hmmm. I wasn't aware there was image degradation with the speed boosters. I was planning on getting the speedbooster soon and using it with whatever anamorphic route I take. Do you think that is a bad combo?

I'm going to look into the SLR magic as Sean suggested. I've heard of them but don't know much so I'll do some research.
Click to expand...

It's extra lens element that's not designed to work specifically with any lens you're going to put it in front of - so there will be some degradation of some sort. But also benefits like and extra stop and (allegedly) a sharper image.

I've got two - an older one for my FS700 and a newer one for my Black magic pocket. I've a set of EF converted canon FD lenses - which work well with the pocket one. The FS700 one doesn't like half of them (the speed booster element sticks out a bit more and the lenses were not designed for full frame so I have issues with some simply not fitting and the rest not hitting infinity focus. Those that do fit have some funky artefacts (which can be nice).
However I've had no problems with proper EF glass on it.
 
Colinelves said:
It's extra lens element that's not designed to work specifically with any lens you're going to put it in front of - so there will be some degradation of some sort. But also benefits like and extra stop and (allegedly) a sharper image.

I've got two - an older one for my FS700 and a newer one for my Black magic pocket. I've a set of EF converted canon FD lenses - which work well with the pocket one. The FS700 one doesn't like half of them (the speed booster element sticks out a bit more and the lenses were not designed for full frame so I have issues with some simply not fitting and the rest not hitting infinity focus. Those that do fit have some funky artefacts (which can be nice).
However I've had no problems with proper EF glass on it.
Click to expand...

Interesting. I just invested in a bunch of Nikkor lenses. Do you think there will be a problem using those with a speedbooster?
 
I really wanted to love the Anamorphx when it was announced, but the tests were lukewarm, the company not to responsive about issues and then all noise on it just kind of melted away. Either it's been happily used by I don't know whom, or it just isn't being used. I ended up buying an SLR Magic, but even that has a few issues...honestly with all the trouble, my LA7200 still gives me the preferred image. But sometimes I wonder about the Letus....and now they are coming out with a 'pro version'. It is hard territory to figure things out in.
 
Neutral said:
Interesting. I just invested in a bunch of Nikkor lenses. Do you think there will be a problem using those with a speedbooster?
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It should be alright if you get the Nikon mount speed booster. It'll probably be okay even if you get an EF one and use them stacked with an EF to Nikon adapter as the Nikkors had a deeper flange depth than FDs. My lenses had to be radically adapter to fit EF
 
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