SGBlade on Viper 2/3 camera in CinemaScope and full frame 35

Evangelos,

Is there any reason why your relay wouldn't work with the Letus Ultimate? I was planning on getting a Blade but the Contax mount is put off indefinitely, so I'm "stuck" as it were with the Letus while looking for a relay solution.

Peter
 
Technically there is no problem...

Two questions thought, does Ultimate has a condenser lens just after the GG?
Can you send me a photo of the side that goes to camera just after flip module and before achromat?

My relay is totally modular... so it should fit...
 
Will do. Just racing off to Melbourne for a shoot, but I'll do it when I return Wednesday.

Cheers,
Peter
 
having a big ZERO in knowledge in the field of optics, the relay seems to get a little soft at 2.8 Although your adapter is fantastic as it's FF35, how are Letus managing to get what looks like quite a sharp and fast relay at f1.5 and 1.8? (yes, their's is Academy so not going there)

Keen to go with your adapter and a Blade, but hoping you can improve the performance at 2.8 or lower. Is this realistic and when do you think you'll be up and running with a Blade/relay marriage shall we say?

PS All relay/adapter manufacturers should publish res charts! Good for you.
 
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cd_albert said:
having a big ZERO in knowledge in the field of optics, the relay seems to get a little soft at 2.8 Although your adapter is fantastic as it's FF35, how are Letus managing to get what looks like quite a sharp and fast relay at f1.5 and 1.8? (yes, their's is Academy so not going there)
Click to expand...
According to Jeff Regan the Letus relays... the Pro is OK at F2.8 similar to what I get at F2.8 1/2 and the Compact is OK from F4... so my relay is slower by 1/2 stop from Pro and faster 1/2 stop from compact...
cd_albert said:
Keen to go with your adapter and a Blade, but hoping you can improve the performance at 2.8 or lower. Is this realistic and when do you think you'll be up and running with a Blade/relay marriage shall we say?
Click to expand...
As I have said in past it is extremely difficult to reach this level of performance in so close distance... the Pro is the maximum... and its cost and size, is reflecting that...
cd_albert said:
PS All relay/adapter manufacturers should publish res charts! Good for you.
Click to expand...
Yes that is also my wish... because apart from big words... there is nothing...
 
Thanks, that's interesting. As I said, I have ZERO knowledge about optics...

Look forward to when you have a relay you are happy with hooked up to the Blade...
 
Evangelos is correct in that the prototype Letus B4 Pro gets softer and loses some contrast when opened beyond f2.8, but you do have the option of shooting at f1.5, and the Letus B4 Compact at f1.8, albeit the latter with less contrast and a bit softer than the B4 Pro prototype I tested.

Please click on my Exposure Room link to see the Letus B4 Pro/Ultimate/Nikon vs. P+S Pro35/ZeissSuper Speed, relays and taking lenses at f2.8:

[/URL]http://exposureroom.com/members/SSV.aspx/photos/

The Letus/Nikon setup does a better job with flare than the P+S/Zeiss setup as can be seen with the shots with our friend Lenny Levy. The P+S did look better wide open and was as fast as the Letus setup.

Now that I have production model B4 Pro and Compact relays, I will shoot some more tests, including the relays wide open. The good thing about 2/3" cameras like the Panasonic HDX900, is that even with the Letus relays, Ultimate and taking lens at f2.8, I still rate the camera at ASA 400, and would assume similar results with Evangelos relay with SGBlade, depending upon which GG is used.
 
Thanks Jeff, that's great info. Not able to play with this gear myself (Work for CBS in Israel)

You answered a big question that I have: What's the light loss when taking a pro lens like a Canon 7.6x22 off and putting a Letus setup on...that's the crux of it when shooting with a B4 camera I think, for me anyway. How will is change my lighting setup is what I wonder.

Your HDX900 would normally rate at 800 ISO? That would be the equivalent of one stop on the lens? Do I have that right? What I am trying to picture is the extra light levels required in a sitdown lit interview. LIke most TV cameramen don't get to use a light meter that often.

Also re: the Blade, have you used one? It will shoot to f22, has replaceable ground glass and I have read very well built with great customer service. Also is actually made under licence from P+S...and all for around $1800...do you know of any downsides?

Appreciate your input.

Chris Albert
 
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