Letus Ultimate - RELEASED!

I have nothing against what Letus has done. They're a great company and are constantly raising the bar on their market. I think they've obviously put a lot of time and effort into the Ultimate and I think its really going to show.

My thinking is simply this; Will they do better at this price point than selling more to the masses at a lower price. I'm constantly either shooting with my Letus or renting it out, still I don't konw if it makes economic sense for me to purchase something that gives me a 10% edge that I know is better but the client probably won't even notice and I probably can't get away with charging much more for. For 4500 I could buy another LEX, Zacuto Rods, Follow Focus, and a simple tripod jib. That I know would be some things I could charge for and rent out easily and make a faast return. I'd love to own an Ultimate but when I look at it as a business its hard to make that jump. For half the price I would but ah well...
 
waefre said:
My thinking is simply this; Will they do better at this price point than selling more to the masses at a lower price. I'm constantly either shooting with my Letus or renting it out, still I don't konw if it makes economic sense for me to purchase something that gives me a 10% edge that I know is better but the client probably won't even notice and I probably can't get away with charging much more for. For 4500 I could buy another LEX, Zacuto Rods, Follow Focus, and a simple tripod jib. That I know would be some things I could charge for and rent out easily and make a faast return. I'd love to own an Ultimate but when I look at it as a business its hard to make that jump. For half the price I would but ah well...
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I think you would simply have to look at yourself as not being in the market segment that the Ultimate is catering to. The law of diminish return applies to everything; you can buy a $100 piece of Nikon glass or you can spend ten times as much on Zeiss glass, but the Zeiss won't be ten times better. Top level gears are like that, you pay a premium for not much more of a performance increase. The people who are able to afford the Ultimate are folks with clients who demand the best and are willing to pay for it too. So that makes sense as an investment for them.
 
Hello Kholi

I see that you got not one but two RED's on your arsenal... well done.

So as you already know with 30K$, that a Pro35 cost's, you can have a fully functional REDONE package with Nikon mount and do magic with not even a single problem that adapters are selling as futures (sharpness, light loss, visible grain etc.)... Comparing to a Pro35 is not a valid argument anymore, please accept that fact... A DoF adapter to be a valid solution should not cost more than 2500$ for a small camera and for a 2/3 no more than 5500$ to have a meaning... That's the market today.

I saw the Ultimate autopsy blog photos... I didn't saw anything that was justifying the quadruple cost rise... Remember am an experienced engineer... they just started to design a proper industrialized adapter and not a DIY mass production unit that was in the past. Parts cost is about 450$ and labor its about 150$ to assemble and test (my calculation is for 100 pieces initial production)... so a price point of 2000$ will be justified...

I have to say that I didn't saw any unique NEW patentable design, for patent anyone can apply, who get the grand is what matters, note that, I already have my first Internationally patent granted after four years of procedures, so I don't thing what they did can ever take a grand in the EPO or WIPO... they simply don't introduce any inventive step... everything that they did is prior art...

I thing that letus guys are feeling that the clock is ticking fast for DoF adapters, so its time to make same good profit fast, before market for these thinks vanished...

Kholi I don't thing either that you are unbiased, my friend, sorry for that, but I haven't read any test from you for other adapters to convince me for that subject matter, thats me only... For others I have a different opinion...

Disclaimer: All the above are my personal opinion, I have the right to express my thoughts, professional machinery are not judged by the name they carry but from performance and endurance, I will never buy a camera that doesn't have a 35mm sensor.
 
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Evangelos Achillopoulos go buy a Red for goodness sake. Geesus. Moderators can we get a whining and crying subforum going. Evertime I come in here to read something useful I gotta read how Letus is working with Haliburton to screw over the country and its burning dependence on 35mm adapters. Or how they're pricing their ultimate adapter out of the market. QUIT CRYING.
 
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cinebuddy said:
Evangelos Achillopoulos go buy a Red for goodness sake. Geesus. Moderators can we get a whining and crying subforum going. Evertime I come in here to read something useful I gotta read how Letus is working with Haliburton to screw over the country and its burning dependence on 35mm adapters. Or how they're pricing their ultimate adapter out of the market. QUIT CRYING.
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I agree with you totally, I haven't post anything on these threads for over two months, today I couldn't help it any more... Sorry

P.S. As of RED I have the money on the bank, but I will wait until IBC... I'm looking more to the EPIC...
 
Evangelos Achillopoulos said:
I agree with you totally, I haven't post anything on these threads for over two months, today I couldn't help it any more... Sorry

P.S. As of RED I have the money on the bank, but I will wait until IBC... I'm looking more to the EPIC...
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Good then you can go over to the cinematography.com forum where the big dog DP's will tell you the Red camera ain't shite either and it's really a 2k camera, and the Epic is vapor ware. Then you can head over to Deakins forum and argue with him about how it measures against 35mm and the Genesis and blah blah blah. You say you had to speak on it but you've added nothing....read...nothing substantive. We all know you were building a relay lens, and dabble in optics...but alot of guys who do that very thing and didn't make the leap to manufacture sound like sour grapes. Hien put his house up to make this happen, Dennis quit his day gig to make Cinevate run like a Rolex, and so on...What have you done but whine or discredit in every thread? Look bottom line, where i'm from if you don't like somebody you let'em know and keep it moving...you let us know...now keep it moving.
 
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cinebuddy said:
Good then you can go over to the cinematography.com forum where the big dog DP's will tell you the Red camera ain't shi*e either and it's really a 2k camera, and the Epic is vapor ware. Then you can head over to Deakins forum and argue with him about how it measures against 35mm and the Genesis and blah blah blah. You say you had to speak on it but you've added nothing....read...nothing substantive. We all know you were building a relay lens, and dabble in optics...but alot of guys who do that very thing and didn't make the leap to manufacture sound like sour grapes. Hien put his house up to make this happen, Dennis quit his day gig to make Cinevate run like a Rolex, and so on...What have you done but whine or discredit in every thread? Look bottom line, where i'm from if you don't like somebody you let'em know and keep it moving...you let us know...now keep it moving.
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What am trying to add but you don't listen is: THE MARKET IS CHANGING FAST, REALLY FAST, SO WAKE UP!

As for the personal thinks, I don't have any problems with Dennis and Hein and others, my only problem is that I cant help my self when I see marketing tricks.

You don't know me, so you can't judge who am I, if you ever bought something from me you will realize that I'm not the DIY type... Just for your info, I was three times exhibitor at IBC with more than 300sqft stand back in 2001, and in 2002, I mist nomination to six nominees (I was seventh) out of 110 to the IBC innovation award by one point under Thomson Viper (they ware sixth)... SO LISTEN THE OLD GUYS...

My other company was member of the International Association of Broadcasting Manufacturers www.theiabm.org. So please don't tell me about manufacturing, I repeat you don't know me.

As for RED, my fights with Jim and Graeme, at the Cinematography.com are monumental, that said, when I say RED, thats a signal... for the ones that are understanding.
 
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I have no interest in getting into another debate with you, Evangelos. The FACT of the matter is that you have no idea how much it costs Letus to manufacture one of these adapters and you term your speculation as "opinion". I have no need or obligation to convince you of anything on this planet. I don't work for you, you don't pay me, I appreciate you keeping me in your thoughts though. I HAVE used plenty of adapters more than once to know what I like. If you don't LIKE the FACT that I know what I want out of my adapter then that's YOUR problem; it isn't mines. When another adapter drops that I love to death I'll have it. End of story.

Find another thread to rally the lower-prices troops, okay? All of the complaining over a price tag isn't going to make it smaller and I don't think it's going to deter to those who want quality and can afford to spend the money. You're nobody's financial savior, let it go.

The adapter rocks and is worth the money to me. Hopefully those who've already purchased will feel the same.

I think this is a fair place to stop the debate on price and focus on what the adapter offers at that price point versus other adapters within the same class.
 
Yes - let's have some side-by-side comparisons. For example, put an EX1 on an Ultimate with a Zeiss ZF. Then do the same with an Extreme, and the M2. Same camera, same lens, different adapter. I think this will help those of us who are unsure which Letus to get.
 
I'm soooo getting it. I want to try to shoot some more with it before I send it back and upload. I'm out in Santa Barbara right now but when I get back over the 4th I'm gonna go out and shoot some more stuffs on Venice beach.

Sooon!
 
Evangelos Achillopoulos said:
What am trying to add but you don't listen is: THE MARKET IS CHANGING FAST, REALLY FAST, SO WAKE UP!

As for the personal thinks, I don't have any problems with Dennis and Hein and others, my only problem is that I cant help my self when I see marketing tricks.

You don't know me, so you can't judge who am I, if you ever bought something from me you will realize that I'm not the DIY type... Just for your info, I was three times exhibitor at IBC with more than 300sqft stand back in 2001, and in 2002, I mist nomination to six nominees (I was seventh) out of 110 to the IBC innovation award by one point under Thomson Viper (they ware sixth)... SO LISTEN THE OLD GUYS...

My other company was member of the International Association of Broadcasting Manufacturers www.theiabm.org. So please don't tell me about manufacturing, I repeat you don't know me.

As for RED, my fights with Jim and Graeme, at the Cinematography.com are monumental, that said, when I say RED, thats a signal... for the ones that are understanding.
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Yo none of that BS is impressive to me. Like you said the market changes fast, so what have you done for the market. You obviously have more cake to spend than a lot of people so the Red is viable to you, kudos to you and your bankroll bro. Many people on this board are looking forward to the Scarlet 3k with no interchangeable lenses. The new Sony no capability to use PL mount let alone a nikon mount. The market changes only as quickly as the big boys allow it to change. Panny and the gang aint lettin' go of the Varicam and up market so that little old me can use prime lenses. Don't fool yourself pal, if you have so much expertise act like it because you have'nt added shiit to the thread. You can be a member of the Intergalactic Association of Broadcasting and Starships, and i'd still know your on here counting other peoples money and that makes you a jackass in my book. 2002,man that's six years ago!you must have had a super 8 exhibit. In 2002 people still said bling bling. Oh and now you're buying a red after your "monmumental fights", cut it out bro, i'll be lookin forward to your letus ultimate footage. Find a new thread.
 
Kholi said:
I'm soooo getting it. I want to try to shoot some more with it before I send it back and upload. I'm out in Santa Barbara right now but when I get back over the 4th I'm gonna go out and shoot some more stuffs on Venice beach.

Sooon!
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Sweet, i'm trying to get out there in the next month, my best friend just moved out there. I hate his guts for that...but I got a place to stay!!!!
 
What does "Ability to do a full stop-down on a 35mm lens (tested to f22)" mean?

Oh. I think I just got it. You can stop the lens down as much as you want, right? Even f400? :)

But why would you want to go to f22? Oh, just cause you CAN. Nice.

I'll never be able to buy one of these, but I am determined to make one that works equally as well. I got the one-piece milled aluminum case and all that, now just need that darned ground glass. How much for just an ultimate ground-glass? Let me guess, they won't sell me one for less than $4,499.
 
Why would you want to stop down to an f22? Well, you probably wouldn't because of diffraction but not everybody wants to shoot wfo on their 35mm adapters. This has been a problem with some of the vibrating adapters. Spinning adapters have much less limitations on how much you can close down your lens and how fast the shutter speed can go.

Even if you bought the ground glass from letus you will need a powerful motor to spin it fast enough to even matter.
 
cinebuddy said:
Yo none of that BS is impressive to me. Like you said the market changes fast, so what have you done for the market. You obviously have more cake to spend than a lot of people so the Red is viable to you, kudos to you and your bankroll bro. Many people on this board are looking forward to the Scarlet 3k with no interchangeable lenses. The new Sony no capability to use PL mount let alone a nikon mount. The market changes only as quickly as the big boys allow it to change. Panny and the gang aint lettin' go of the Varicam and up market so that little old me can use prime lenses. Don't fool yourself pal, if you have so much expertise act like it because you have'nt added shiit to the thread. You can be a member of the Intergalactic Association of Broadcasting and Starships, and i'd still know your on here counting other peoples money and that makes you a jackass in my book. 2002,man that's six years ago!you must have had a super 8 exhibit. In 2002 people still said bling bling. Oh and now you're buying a red after your "monmumental fights", cut it out bro, i'll be lookin forward to your letus ultimate footage. Find a new thread.
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I have:2vrolijk_08:, so continue your :violin:and make a :bath:to relax...

Or call Dr. Spok to tell him your story...

I'm talking seriously and you have the word "ass" in every two words, thanks god that few people agree with me (even with PM's) and just to know that is good.

You sound very frustrated, probably you have already paid a RED in Panasonic/Sony kit, Letus, M2, Zacuto and again a new Letus/ SGpro/brevis and again a new achromat and another ... () ... and then with a new Zacuto and again a third time you thinking the Ultimate solution to your problems :-BlackEye(DBG

Its like a casino roulette, you lose and you lose and you try to get it and you lose more and that go on and on...

Sorry but, unpolite replys deserving unpolite answers... end of story
 
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cinebuddy said:
Yo none of that BS is impressive to me. Like you said the market changes fast, so what have you done for the market. You obviously have more cake to spend than a lot of people so the Red is viable to you, kudos to you and your bankroll bro. Many people on this board are looking forward to the Scarlet 3k with no interchangeable lenses. The new Sony no capability to use PL mount let alone a nikon mount. The market changes only as quickly as the big boys allow it to change. Panny and the gang aint lettin' go of the Varicam and up market so that little old me can use prime lenses. Don't fool yourself pal, if you have so much expertise act like it because you have'nt added shiit to the thread. You can be a member of the Intergalactic Association of Broadcasting and Starships, and i'd still know your on here counting other peoples money and that makes you a jackass in my book. 2002,man that's six years ago!you must have had a super 8 exhibit. In 2002 people still said bling bling. Oh and now you're buying a red after your "monmumental fights", cut it out bro, i'll be lookin forward to your letus ultimate footage. Find a new thread.
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Chill already. He brings up a good point about pricing and people's willingness to pay for an exclusive. I never thought about how numbered the days of 35mm adaptors are. with limited funds you have to invest wisely. I do agree that the mark up for the Ultimate is Extreme but it's an exlcusive. The Prada Bag of the adaptor world. Will I hold off and buy a RED? Good question. Which is going to get me more work or rent more? Better question. At 2500.00 - no question about buying an Ultimate.

This is a thread on the Ultimate - why you think questions and points about marketing and price are out of bounds is beyond me. Because with any adaptor release we balance all factors: performance, quality, service and what's that other one? Oh yeah, price. For whatever reason, this engineer's observations mean nothing to you. But despite English being his third language, he brings up a few good points some fail to miss.

Ok, I'm bracing myself for the fusillade of adolescent abuse. C'mon let me have it.
 
Damn you Naylor your mine:) I think its limited for a 4500 adapter but not adapters in general. Don't believe me head over to HV20.com and its whole new crop of adapters and Letus mini users (which I thought was a terrible idea...silly me), look at how many people still use a dvx100. How many people will jump on a Scarlet. Until there's a camera with modularity like the Red for the price of an EX-1 then the adapter market is fine. My thing with Aristotle above is don't buy the Ultimate if its too much for you, i'm not I don't need to stop down to f22 that bad. Evangelos isn't trying to make a point, he's extremely jealous of Letus and bitter at his own failings in the adapter market...he's a troll disguised as a convention exhibitor from 1973.
 
cinebuddy said:
he's a troll disguised as a convention exhibitor from 1973.
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:grin: ... In pure Greek-english... Megale eisai apextos, ta exais kanei axtarma, ton aristoteli, tous adaptores kai ola ta alla... yoooo men kola pente!

Esi kai oi bee gees... hahahahaha its so funny this guy I have being drooped from chair, please stop I can't laugh any more... hahahaha my stomach ohh, hahahaha.

1973, hahaha eisai apisteutos... :thumbsup:

Cinebuddy you make me laugh so hard, you are my favorite, seriously a 4 minutes short film recording, for free for you as a gift from me with love, just drop me a PM, I will put the negative and the developing just send me the files you want to print.

Ohhh it was good, so funny...
 
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