Letus Shake

G

Gavin Garrison

Active member
I've hunted around but can't find a thread that references the shake created by the vibration in the Lex. I'm using a 501 (I know, a $150 head shouldn't be holding this equipment, but I can't afford something twice the price as of this moment), 3046 sticks, and IndiRails. I have everything as tight as possible (including pan, tilt ect on the head), yet there is an extreme vibration killing all of my shots. I'd imagine that this is a problem everyone faced at some point. Another thread mentioned wrapping the Letus in a rubber lens support, but other than that I can't find any comments about this.

Also, it seems that even a little bit of wind is very difficult to deal with now.

In Philip Bloom's thread he posts a short: http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=132707

Which, if you watch the edge of the frame in some shots, exhibits a similar shake, though to a lesser degree than I am seeing.

Anyone have any suggestions?
 
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Damn! Once you switched to a heftier tripod, head, or both? In your thread a few people (including Dennis) said to contact Letus... but I'm assuming that you found that it wasn't a problem with the Letus, it was a problem with your support system?

Also, did you rails have any impact, or you think it was definitely the tripod and/or head?
 
And on more thing with Letus vibration is that it will resonate on some floors no matter how hefty the tripod, no way to capture clean sound. Just be aware.

T
 
trudd said:
I went from a 501 head and 3021 legs to a Sachtler, so I'm not sure.

You may have more success with the 503 head but, after using Sachtler, I'll do my best to never touch another Bogen/Manfrotto system.

The Libec LS-38 has gotten some decent reviews... http://www.dvuser.co.uk/content.php?CID=150
Click to expand...

That is a sparkling review of the Libec. Thank you very much for the suggestions. It looks like the days of my Bogen are numbered. Just have to push back the RR MB purchase a few more months :crybaby: ... If you don't mind my asking, which Sachtler combo did you buy?
 
no problems with it on my Libec 38 tripod. But I also have a self made support bracket that is padded with industry rubber that absorbs the vibration and to make the vibration minimal
 
The problem is not your tripod. The issue is the oscillation requires adjustment, (it's too high) and based on what I know, it's not user adjustable. In other words, you should contact the Letus crew for a fix.

Cheers,
 
Dennis Wood said:
The problem is not your tripod. The issue is the oscillation requires adjustment, (it's too high) and based on what I know, it's not user adjustable. In other words, you should contact the Letus crew for a fix.
Click to expand...

I believed that until I tried a different tripod.

The LEX on my 501 shakes.
The LEX on a Sachtler Video 20 does not.

Does a sturdier tripod simply compensate for high oscillation?
 
Ah man, I hope I don't have to send it back to Letus. Had to wait five weeks as it was (six; they sent the wrong lens mount), we're trying to film stuff here! So, I can shell out another $645 and see if that works, but potentially be left with the same problem. Agh, what a headache. Thanks for the help regardless.

And if you think about it... if you had a gyro in your hand for example, the looser you hold it the more errant it's vibrations will be... the tighter you hold it, the more controlled it will be... However, how much difference can a tripod/head make? Is the Libec LS38 setup going to have that much tighter of a grip? I know it pans better and is more fluid ect... is it also heavier? I don't know. What if the LEX requires both an adjustment from Letus AND a new tripod/head/bank account? It will be a process of elimination I guess, but here is another month we're forced to push. Maybe I can gaff the whole setup and add a sandbag. I wish I had access to heavier duty equipment, but I don't. That would be an easy way (obviously) to find out.
 
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It's just basic Newtonian lore. Clamp down an oscillating system, or add mass, and there is less external transmission. This translates to increased internal movement, and if you can't adjust it, you're stuck. Hand holding will likely work better in this situation, or you can try putting your tripod on a foam pad. I believe your adapter uses a dab of hot glue on the motor, so you can try adding or removing some of it if you're into a DIY fix. Ultimately going back to the source will save you some time/effort.

Cheers,
 
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Gavin Garrison said:
I've hunted around but can't find a thread that references the shake created by the vibration in the Lex. I'm using a 501 (I know, a $150 head shouldn't be holding this equipment, but I can't afford something twice the price as of this moment), 3046 sticks, and IndiRails. I have everything as tight as possible (including pan, tilt ect on the head), yet there is an extreme vibration killing all of my shots. I'd imagine that this is a problem everyone faced at some point. Another thread mentioned wrapping the Letus in a rubber lens support, but other than that I can't find any comments about this.

Also, it seems that even a little bit of wind is very difficult to deal with now.

In Philip Bloom's thread he posts a short: http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=132707

Which, if you watch the edge of the frame in some shots, exhibits a similar shake, though to a lesser degree than I am seeing.

Anyone have any suggestions?
Click to expand...

which shots are you seeing that in as have not noticed it.
 
The vibration is multiplied when the adapter is not firmly secure to the rails. I had that problem when I flipped the adapter upside down.

Once I flipped it, the adapter was no longer attached to the rails since it doesn't have a rail connection on the reverse side.

I used a stretch cord to secure it.
 
philip bloom said:
which shots are you seeing that in as have not noticed it.
Click to expand...

Philip, I wasn't meaning to be critical. I really loved your Vegas piece. Just hoping to be able to show people a small example without having to upload stuff myself. That being said, it does occur to a much lesser degree (perhaps it's the slo-mo that makes it more obvious) in your shots, though it could be wind, too.

Anyway: Shots at 00:22, 00:45, 01:36 (looks like wind), 01:47.

Gavin
 
Albert Einstein once said “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”.

Try putting the entire rig a little forwardor or backwards in the tripod head, maybe that makes all the difference in the world, balancing the weight may be the best solution, with that I settled the oscillation in my Lemus35 Mini in a $200 Davis & Sanford tripod.

Also look at the piece that joins the Letus the rails, for example, I had placed backward.

letus35-support-2.jpg


letus-extreme-support-bracket.jpg
 
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arquitommy said:
And maybe thist for your 35mm lens if you are using telephoto zoom lens.

Cavision R15-LS25SET Lens Bracket Support - for Add-on Attachment Lenses
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No, just primes. I love resurrecting an old(er) thread. After everyone's great suggestions, I went ahead and bought a LS-38(a). Voila, shake is gone! Thank you for the help there. There is now a new problem, and I have no idea what is causing it and how to fix it. The best way to describe it is sway.

With everything locked down, the frame sways from side to side. I'm going to post footage this time around because it's really boggling me. The tripod and head are not physically moving at all. I've decided that it must be something inside the Letus, but I don't know what? The entire image plane moves, it is really the weirdest thing. Any comments, once again, would bar insanity a bit longer.
 
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