Love/Hate my Letus Extreme

armisiano

armisiano

Veteran
I've got to say I have a love/hate relationship with my Letus Extreme. I love what is does, I love the enhancement to my footage, and I love the ease of use. I hate that I feel like I must have the most cheaply built one they've made, because EVERY time I have EVER used it, afterward, or in the middle of shooting, debris gets onto the ground glass that is obvious in the footage, and I have to disassemble it, clean it, and reassemble it. It is SO DARN FRUSTRATING!

Why can't they build one that is actually sealed tight? Why?
 
Same happened here...I've taken apart and reassembled mine more times than I'd like to admit. It came with a speck on the condenser...but it was toward the top so I didn't think much about it. The first day on a production a speck showed up in the middle and I had to scrap all of the shots that absolutely required shallow DOF for a reshoot.

It seems that when I finally get the speck off, another one appears. Can't wait until I can actually shoot 35mm :) (then it'll be a whole new slew of potential problems...)
 
I've only used the Redrock and P+S Pro35 and they were production rentals, so I'm not too familiar with any of them.

Are vibrating adapters like the LEX and Brevis more susceptible to the effects of dust on the GG or achromat than Spinning adapters?
 
I've used the Brevis, Extreme, and M2 all without problems with specks and dust.

You can always send your unit back to the company for repair. I'm sure any adapter company would be glad to repair it for you. Hien is a nice dude. Give him and email.
 
I've read spinning GG is less susceptible to dust than vibrating GG, but I have seen dust a couple of times with my Ultimate, so maybe not. Looks like how well sealed the adapter is, as Huy posted, is important.
 
Jeff, What did dust look like on a spinning adapter?
I've always been under the impression that it wasn't a problem and this was a huge advantage over the vibrating adapters.
Lenny Levy
 
After cleaning it this last time I'm thinking of trying to seal off the part where it connects. I'd LIKE to just put some silicone glue around it and permanently seal it, but I KNOW that's a horrible idea, so I'm thinking of just using some gaffer tape.

I think if it were to be redesigned I'd fit a rubber ring to the inside that when screwed together makes it air tight. Se la vi.
 
Lenilenapi said:
Jeff, What did dust look like on a spinning adapter?
I've always been under the impression that it wasn't a problem and this was a huge advantage over the vibrating adapters.
Lenny Levy
Click to expand...

Lenny,

The dust wasn't on the GG, it was static on another piece of fixed glass, the one behind the GG. I think if there is dust on the spiinning GG it would not show up, whereas with vibrating GG, it would be more likely to be seen. I think this is where the spinning GG has an advantage.
 
Is the dust entering while changing lenses or is it "deeper" inside the device?

A can of Dust-Off (compressed air in a can) used judiciously maybe your friend!
 
Shooter said:
Is the dust entering while changing lenses or is it "deeper" inside the device?

A can of Dust-Off (compressed air in a can) used judiciously maybe your friend!
Click to expand...

It's inside the device, on the ground glass itself. It gets in through a very small opening where the lens mount attaches to the main body of the letus extreme. It's hard to describe without photos, and I hate to say, I just don't feel like taking pictures of it all.

And trust me, a can of dust off (or two) is ALWAYS on set.
 
I love the look my Letus gives, but I too suffered black evil specks appearing on the groundglass.
After trying compressed air, rocket blower, swearing and swinging my fists in the air, I got very extreme with my Extreme and pulled it completely apart and stripped all the paint off the metal surfaces. It has a black anodised looking alluminium underneath, so still looks fine. I just smeared a thin coating of axel grease on the inside for a dust trap. I haven't had to clean it since.
I suspected that it was tiny fragments of black coating that were getting on the GG and inside the prism section. They stick out like dog's bollox.

I haven't had to clean it since (approx 5 months ago) which is unprecedented for me.

Latest work with Letus Extreme and Canon XHA1: http://www.vimeo.com/2835736
 
Axel grease! Now that's a novel idea.
Anybody else try anything like that? Any potential downsides?
You don't want to get any on the screen of course. Might it ooze onto an optical surface from being jostled around?

Dino, was the dust on a glass surface in focus?

Lenny Levy
 
Pastor Thug said:
I love the look my Letus gives, but I too suffered black evil specks appearing on the groundglass.
After trying compressed air, rocket blower, swearing and swinging my fists in the air, I got very extreme with my Extreme and pulled it completely apart and stripped all the paint off the metal surfaces. It has a black anodised looking alluminium underneath, so still looks fine. I just smeared a thin coating of axel grease on the inside for a dust trap. I haven't had to clean it since.
I suspected that it was tiny fragments of black coating that were getting on the GG and inside the prism section. They stick out like dog's bollox.

I haven't had to clean it since (approx 5 months ago) which is unprecedented for me.

Latest work with Letus Extreme and Canon XHA1: http://www.vimeo.com/2835736
Click to expand...


I've always believed that the specks were from the black coating chipping off when parts were tightened, adjusted, or simply vibrated loose. Nice to hear someone else sort of confirming that.
 
Lenilenapi said:
Dino, was the dust on a glass surface in focus?
Lenny Levy
Click to expand...

Yes, because the glass element is very close to the GG. I think using a good monitor is very important whenever possible for critical focus(including back focus) and seeing things like GG grain and dust.
 
First time I have used my new Letus Elite system and I have just finished running comprehensive tests and familiarisation processes.

Guess what... I got a dust spec. Thanx to this thread I recognised it for what it is and I also have a good idea how to deal with it.

BTW - very pleased with the Letus look and the sharpness and color consistency of all my Nikkors. They look awesome.
 
Shooter said:
BTW - very pleased with the Letus look and the sharpness and color consistency of all my Nikkors. They look awesome.
Click to expand...


Agreed. I'm not knocking the device at all really, I love using it, just a bit irritated at its susceptibility to debris and dust.
 
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