Letus Elite?

Theoretically cost breakdown.

$ 5190 hpx 170 + $1500 Letus EX + Rail system ($400) + SLR Lenses + $850 per 16 gig p2 card.

$ 3000 2/3" scarlet + $550 per 16 gig cf car (at red one rate) + I am sure you gotta spend $$$$ on accessories

They are not too far off one another. Yes Canon HV series and all smaller than 1/3" sensor cameras are safe from Scarlet but not the beloved, hvx, ex, xh series cameras from the big 3.

The best 2/3" offering from the big 2 is the $8k with no battery, no lens hpx 500 from Panasonic. The big 2 cannot afford to butcher their 2/3" ENG $$$$$$$ camera packages.

Scarlet wont be replacing every prosumer camera out there but it will take a HUGE HUGE chunk out. Just like what the ipod does to the mp3 device marketplace.

shot 100% with Red One
http://www.movieweb.com/news/51/29751.php

And it takes Freaking 6 months to get a Red One not 4 and the Nikon Red mount is wobbly and till today you still cant record decent audio on the Red One.



Huy Vu said:
I doubt that. Everybody talks about Scarlet like it's going to replace every other camera out there. At that price point, it's revolutionary, no doubt, but only in the same sense that the first viable low cost 35mm adapters were revolutionary: it's good that you have the features available at the low price, but there are going to be compromises that will take time to iron out before it becomes a household items (so to speak). I can see several already:

1) How long would it take for you to get your hand on one? Order a RED now and it's about a 4 months wait according to their website (and the camera has been out for some time). If you need a camera in the short term, it's not going to be a Scarlet.

2) How are you editing that footage? It's REDcode RAW at 2/3k resolution so good luck working with that on a laptop. Folks who buy a Scarlet is also going to be investing in a powerhouse editing station, if they don't have one already. So your A1 or HVX or DVX will always have a place in the segment of the market who can't afford to buy a camera AND spend the same amount of money on a new computer.

3)Storage? Even if they include a CF card in the box, you're going to need more and will be paying for more. If you think P2 is too expensive, Scarlet might not be right for you.

Obviously there's a segment of the market for whom Scarlet will be a godsend, but those people aren't "low budget" in the same sense that we usually discuss it. If you ONLY have close to $3k to spend on a camera, you're not going to be looking at a Scarlet once you realize the compromises that you'll have to make.
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The four months figure is from RED's own site, but you get the point. Don't forget that Scarlet will have (as currently announced anyway) a non-interchangable 8x lens. I can't imagine many productions being happy with that since when you're buying a 2/3'' camera you're expected to to be able to switch glass around.

I don't think the Ipod is a good comparison. It was a successful device because it managed to incorporate all the necessary features of a music player (and then some) into one neat package. The Scarlet doesn't do that; there are some very obvious limitations that can make it unattractive for the low budget filmmakers. I see the camera as targeting a very specific segment of the market, such as people who does a lot of VFX/chromakeying work who needs the extra resolution/color space at a reasonable cost and people who are used to working with higher end 2/3'' cameras who can look to Scarlet as a budget solution. I don't think it's the camera for your beginning filmmakers (which has got to make up a significant number of the market) even though it seemed to be priced in that range.
 
Here's the part that nobody really ever talks about. All of these things are tools to help you acheive a look. The "Look" and everything about getting it has something but not everything to do with tools, it's the talent of the DP and crew. It's all about people. We showed a video at NAB of the same scene shot with everything from an HVX200 to RED & 35mm film. It was shot by Jens Bogehegn a 25 year veteren DP and it was scary how close all of them looked. Now none of this bodes well to me as an equipment manufacturer. I should be telling you buy Zacuto and your films will be better, but I won't. They are tools that will help you shoot faster and maybe smoother but great films are made by great people who have mastered the tools they own. And when hollywood buys it has nothing to do with what you shot it on or with. They are a business and are only interested in profit, "they will only buy good and marketable films" even if they were shot with a VHS-C camcorder.
 
Dxmetal said:
Working with a 35mm adapter is a pain in the butt. It is a compromise, you never get that same high resolution out of your stock camera lens. Yes of course it looks great on your tiny computer screen, watch it on your big HD tv or have it projected at a theater. But of course in the spirit of the adapter industry, we must have the super shallow DOF where the nose is in focus and the check is out of focus, add extra vignetting and then finaly, we must magic bullet the whole scene to death.

It is really liberating to us when we shoot on 2/3" sensor camera and we can get "enough" DOF to forgo the use of any 35mm adapter aperatus. For those that still want to spend $9k on a 35mm adapter for their 2/3" camera, more power to you too ! :beer:
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I've been shooting with 2/3" cameras for over 25 years. Yes, there are times when the DOF of 2/3" is shallow enough. There are many times when the space I'm shooting in is too small, the art direction is lacking. The 35mm DOF
adapter is just another tool that offers it's own aesthetic.

Previously, I had only used the P+S Pro35. It was a pain to use--slow, heavy,
expensive, touchy. Now that I have had some time shooting with the Ultimate,
while not as simple as shooting without an adapter, it's pretty close. It is sharp edge to edge, only about a 7% reduction in resolution, if DOF is too shallow and I have enough light, I can stop down with no worries of seeing the GG. Losing a 1/2 stop of light is not a big problem.

I've been watching footage shot with a 200A/Ultimate/Nikons on a 100" 1080p
DLP projector and it compares very favorably with my HDX900 and no adapter.

I eagerly await the HPX170 and the Letus B4 Relay. I believe that a 35mm adapter is the most inexpensive way to raise the production value of a shoot.
That doesn't mean it's right for every project.
 
For those of us early adopters of the Extreme - the version where we cannot flip the front shroud upside down, the original power switch, and the non-threaded achromat - we will probably not be able to use this upgrade without drilling a few extra holes in it.

That's always bugged me. Is there any way to get my LEX serviced so I have these benefits?
 
trudd said:
For those of us early adopters of the Extreme - the version where we cannot flip the front shroud upside down, the original power switch, and the non-threaded achromat - we will probably not be able to use this upgrade without drilling a few extra holes in it.

That's always bugged me. Is there any way to get my LEX serviced so I have these benefits?
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I think I may have the same version of the Extreme. Bought it around October of last year, do you know when they made those revisions?

I bet we can send our Extremes back to Letus or Zacuto perhaps to have this back focus adapter fitted? Hien or Zacuto?

Dan
 
Dino (Jeff Regan) is 100% on the mark. Sometimes the DOF of a 2/3" camera is fine , but more often its just not as pretty as a 35mm adapter. And the Pro 35 was such an expensive heavy, light absorbing behemouth that it was a difficult alternative. I've often wished I was shooting with my Ex-1 or HVX200 / Adapter combo than an F900. The relays coming out for Brevis and Letus will turn that around, so you can shoot with a Nikon and a 2/3" camera for a "song" . It will just be part of your kit. Scarlet won't cut into adapter sales at all, but it will cut into sales of low cost 1/3 & 1/2 " chip cameras.

Lenny Levy
 
Well yeah, if you guys want to put $9000 worth of adapter + relay into the end of a $8000 hpx500, more power to ya. At the price of $17,000, I rather go all the way and get the s35mm Red One camera.
 
Car3o said:
buy a new letus
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Sure.

puredrifting said:
I think I may have the same version of the Extreme. Bought it around October of last year, do you know when they made those revisions?

I bet we can send our Extremes back to Letus or Zacuto perhaps to have this back focus adapter fitted? Hien or Zacuto?

Dan
Click to expand...

Couldn't have been more than a few weeks (a month?) after release, as I have seen very few of the "old" versions.

I'm sure they would custom fit it. The $600 is the deal breaker for me - not because I don't think it's worth it, but my meager student budget laughs at me :)

Do I feel that backfocus piece is worth $600? Absolutely not. Anybody who saw the Ultimate at NAB or bought one should know this was coming - it's obviously not that complicated to add on. The Elite should cost $1600 and/or the piece should be an upgrade option like the EX1/HVX optimization kits. But I also respect the Le brothers for their consistent innovation and amazing R&D, so a higher-than-indifocus-product/quality price is understandable :)
 
Dxmetal said:
Well yeah, if you guys want to put $9000 worth of adapter + relay into the end of a $8000 hpx500, more power to ya. At the price of $17,000, I rather go all the way and get the s35mm Red One camera.
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The RED ONE can make sense for many. The $9000 for a 35mm DOF adapter/relay has to be put into the context of what 2/3" HD ENG zoom lenses cost, my HDX900 was $30,000 and Fuji HA18X7.6 $19,000. What I like about my Letus Ultimate is that it can be used with the B4 Relay or directly with any palmcorder, so in the rental business, it offers a lot of flexibility. Compare that to the cost of a P+S Technik Pro35 and Mini35 to do the same things.
 
Shooting in high heels..

Shooting in high heels..

zacuto said:
Couple things on the Letus Elite.

1. Yes, you can operate it in high heels ;<)

(first person to send me a picture operating his full DOF handheld rig in high heels will gets a $300 credit at Zacuto towards the purchase of anything)

p.s. and allow me to post the picture on our website.
Click to expand...

Heeey Guys!!!

Is it possible that you missed an offer like that???

As soon as I woke up and saw that post I highjacked the woman locker and tried to put some high heels on my feet..
Sadly I have feet at the size 12 and nothing would ever fit on my fingers.


On the other hand; my dad have a smaller feet and he is a hell of the funny guy.. So he become a model.

As you see, I have new SGpro and I am urgent in need of Z-riser.. So Steve from Zacuto:

THANK YOU VERY VERY MUCH !!!! :dankk2:


I am not sure, but I have a feeling that the second and third price is steel awaliable.


Cheers to all, david :beer:


1219385563.jpg
 
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On the pics it sure looks like the Letus mini with the collimation mount, really really cool.
The mini body vs the collimation ring is smaller than the upgrade part for the Extreme.
If that is true it will be lighter and smaller than LEX.

Well, it seems that it is a hybrid between the mini front and Extreme prism assy.

Am I right?

T
 
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Somewhat in the right direction for Letus, but not what I was hoping for. Give me an Ultimate without the fancy LED screen, a better rods mount, and the same collimation system for $2000 and we have a deal. Also work on a GOOD $500-600 rods system and you're golden. A bundle deal out the door for $2850 would work too. Even if it takes $2500 to get there, then make it happen.

I just feel that within 6 months someone will finally hit the nail on the head and affect those paying a premium right now. I absolutely welcome the features and improvements; trust me I know what is needed on set for the perfect 35 adapter, but I STILL think we need to question the pricing strategies because before long, we are going to have a camera capable of making these obsolete.

Overall, I think this collimation system is a step in the right direction versus other versions. The set screws connecting the lens mount still needs to be revised for something more robust. My Letus is off on duty, does each mount have a lip on it for locking against the screws?
 
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I don't quite understand something here: if you attach the Elite ring to the LEX, and then use some lens mount - the lens will be further away from the GG by the Elite ring thickness; how on earth is it supposed to work?

Please enlighten me...
 
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