Letus Extreme - support bracket?

In looking at the lens mount support my only question is - Are those going to need allen wrenches in the field to adjust the mount?

I don't want to depend on allen wrenches that are easy to misplace or lose while I'm rushing in the middle of production. I don't want to have to look for the little wrench I just dropped in the grass while a producer is staring over my shoulder. I like hand tightened screws.


Just a suggestion.

Lenny
 
Lenny,
That was my concern when I first purchased my Cavision rods as they are adjusted with an allen wrench. However, I found that once I had everything setup, I haven't adjusted it in the field since. I had a matte box mount that I did need to adjust that was an allen wrench bolt. I ended up repacling the bolt with a thumb screw I picked up at the local hardware store so I could quickly loosen the matte box and slide it back and forth as needed.
 
DeGrey, speaking of matte box with the Letus35 Extreme ...

I don't know if this question would be more suitable to the matte box seller but ... since you guys have been so helpful on everything ...

How do you set the matte box up to fit the Canon FD lenses used with the Letus adapter? The lens ring at the outer end looks kind of small to me. Do you think there's out there matte boxes that would fit? My plan is to go with a matte box that supports rod rails so the pressure is negligible on the lens itself.

I am a novice, pardon my basic questions.
 
My favorite solution to match a matte box up to the smaller lens is what Adam from Taormina Films came up with...

"The matte box filler was constructed from a sanding disc backing pad and can be found at any hardware store. Not only is it round, but it in concave so it matches the curve of the matte box ring pretty nicely. It is removable."

You can see pictures of his setup here:
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showpost.php?p=1060808&postcount=30

Let me know if that helps.
 
Hey DeGrey,

If I'm reading this right, and I'd like to think that I am...

The 15mm rail mount adaptor is to mount the Extreme to standard rods and plates or to Cavision rods and plate? - I looks high enough to mount to a standard plate if you angle the adaptor as such - my concern is for mattebox attachement - looks like the Cavision support plate is still the only way to mount this so I can attach my mattebox to the rods?

am I reading this right?

cheno
 
The 15mm adapter is designed for standard rods, correct. It is not specifically designed for Cavision. That's just what I happen to have on my setup.

You may also want to check out Tim's IndiRails... http://indifocus.com/indiraILS.html

That would allow you to get the camera high enough to offset the adapter height and align your matte box. I believe you can go as high as 4 inches on that riser Tim has on the IndiRails which would be plenty for the Extreme.

Please let me know if that clears things up at all.
Thanks
 
Good new about the bracket. Now I'm sold. But the last question I have, is: will their be any alignment issues with matteboxes and follow focuses since the Letus Ex seems to hold the lens either in an extremely high or low position.

Can anyone give me the skinny on this concern? Otherwise, I'm good to order.

Tim Naylor - DP
www.timnaylor.com
 
Tim,
does your zacuto plates fit the 44mm vertical offset of the Extreme ? If you place the Extreme upsidedown, I don't think you can place the mattebox of them .
 
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I would imagine if you're using the aluminum adapter to fit standard rails plates (I'm referring to Zacuto / RedRock...,) then you're going to need something to offset your mattebox as well - I don't know many (if any) that will raise to meet the lens once on the Extreme as far as it will now be above the rails -

okay machinists... whatdaya suggest? - some standard way to raise a mattebox?

-cheno
 
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Chenopup said:
I would imagine if you're using the aluminum adapter to fit standard rails plates (I'm referring to Zacuto / RedRock...,) then you're going to need something to offset your mattebox as well - I don't know many (if any) that will raise to meet the lens once on the Extreme as far as it will now be above the rails -

okay machinists... whatdaya suggest? - some standard way to raise a mattebox?

-cheno
Click to expand...

The Extreme WONT be very high off the rails (unless you mount it upside down)
 
For anyone who is interested...
Here is a Letus Extreme + Cavsion RS-15IIM rods + Canon XH-A1

letus-cavision.jpg


Hope it helps.
 
That's a great shot. Thanks for sharing. I'm so glad I didn't sell this Cavision rod and mount setup that's been sitting around being used for NOTHING.

It doesn't sit that high up at all. In fact, it looks almost as high as my HVX+M2 combo which is very delightful. It's also good to know there's no horizontal offset.

It's almost time to ship! Tomorrows is Friday, then the weekend blows by as usual and then I can start checking my email for shipping notices.
 
I also hope the LE support bracket will have finger tight locks. Dealing with allen keys in the field is always a nightmare.

But don't let that request hold up shipping, I'll just source my own if needed.
 
Look 1st said:
The Extreme WONT be very high off the rails (unless you mount it upside down)
Click to expand...

Right, according to the setup in DeGrey's pic. However, if you use a more standard baseplate / rail system such as the Redrock / Zacuto solutions, you'll need the aluminum adapter to mount the LEX upside down which will now put your lens about 4 inches or so above the rails - what I was noting was that I don't know of a mattebox that has a riser that long to mount at that point - so unless there were some custom built, you cannot get a mattebox to work with the LEX upside down unless you're mounting directly to the lens and not the rails.

Just a note for those who may be considering - I myself am looking seriously at one of these adapters and therefore will need an alternate set of rails for it to work correctly.

-cheno
 
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