Avenger007
Well-known member
And its not hard on the wallet 
The Letus Ultimate -- Experience Thread
- Thread starter Kholi
- Start date
bvalente
DVXuser Sponsor
You can now find the microSupport baseplate with high riser here:
http://shopping.netsuite.com/s.nl/c.472981/it.A/id.414/.f
with 18" rods the complete kit currently runs $394
B
Tim Naylor
Veteran
I can't remember the name of the post/thread but a little while back I posted A/B tests between SG and LEX with enough highlight variation to make some conclusions about the relative bokeh between the two. I found the SG's bokeh "better" in that in flared in a more pleasing way. Not as harsh and clinical as the LEX's. But the lex edged it out in sharpness and of course light loss. I guess it's like the on going debate of Cooke vs Zeiss Ultra Primes. Overall, I'm split between the two for much of the same reasons: sharpness vs subjective "pleasing" picture effect.
From what I've seen of the Ultimate, it's sharpness from the footage I've seen, IMO trumps any advantages an SG has in terms of bokeh.
Right Tim. I also continuously point out that your A/B tests between SG and Lex are the closest you can get right now for a Bokeh comparison. In all, it's all subjective and pure tastes. One thing I have found is that the Ultimate's bokeh rendition is so close to the effects produced by a thicker GG that you can't tell them apart, and I really do stand by that.
It may be due to the coating on the Ultimate's glass disc or it could be the glass itself. I'm totally happy with only losing half a stop of light, extreme amount of sharpness overall (edge-to-edge on wides included) and getting hyper-similar diffusion results as a unit that may lose 1 - 2 stops of light.
And the sucker's sharp.
On Another note: I had planned to go shooting some footage with my almost complete set of Zeiss C/Ys but got some work to do over the next few days. Soon as I can I'll post some more footage of the Zoom in action and the rest of the lenses.
On the hunt for a Tokina 12-24/4 to complete the wide end of my lens set. I loves wide.
It may be due to the coating on the Ultimate's glass disc or it could be the glass itself. I'm totally happy with only losing half a stop of light, extreme amount of sharpness overall (edge-to-edge on wides included) and getting hyper-similar diffusion results as a unit that may lose 1 - 2 stops of light.
And the sucker's sharp.
On Another note: I had planned to go shooting some footage with my almost complete set of Zeiss C/Ys but got some work to do over the next few days. Soon as I can I'll post some more footage of the Zoom in action and the rest of the lenses.
On the hunt for a Tokina 12-24/4 to complete the wide end of my lens set. I loves wide.
Tim Naylor
Veteran
Can't find those tests. You know the link? Like a fool I deleted them from my computer. Anyway, I'm sure I'll be plunking down the 4.5 G. Yeah, I'm a tightwad but I'll just charge more for the kit. And if nothing compares picture wise - they will pay. Funny how that works. Right now, everybody in NYC wants the LEX. I can see the writing on the wall.....
I can't seem to find it either but I'm sure if one searches for your name it'll pop up.
If you have questions on the rental price for my kit etc. feel free to PM me and I'll be happy to divulge.
Avenger007
Well-known member
Kholi hows that C/Y kit coming along? Find any gems yet?
I'm in love with the 135/2.8 and the 28-70/3.4~4.5
I plan on addin' the 35-70/3.4 as well just to know that I have the option but man I'm totally satisfied (for once) with the lens kit. I have no reservations what-so-ever about using them in place of PLs on a project.
Only wish that I could add the wider lenses but those things are expensive! Want to let me borrow/buy your 21/2.8?
I wish I had something worthwhile to show, next week's gonna be a busy one for work but perhaps the week after might see some time to shoot something for the boards worth watching.
I plan on addin' the 35-70/3.4 as well just to know that I have the option but man I'm totally satisfied (for once) with the lens kit. I have no reservations what-so-ever about using them in place of PLs on a project.
Only wish that I could add the wider lenses but those things are expensive! Want to let me borrow/buy your 21/2.8?
I wish I had something worthwhile to show, next week's gonna be a busy one for work but perhaps the week after might see some time to shoot something for the boards worth watching.
Avenger007
Well-known member
The 135 is a good one. Relatively compact and sharp. The F2 version has a couple of nice upgrades to it with the extra stop and better MFD.
I like the thicker barrel too (cellphone pic):
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j112/Avenger007/IMAGE_00679.jpg?t=1212981615
Be careful as they can become rather addicting:
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j112/Avenger007/DSC01771.jpg?t=1212982094
Thats my new B-cam set awaiting their rings from Shoot35. A pelican 1450 holds 4 of them nicely with the SG rings attached. The permanent rings really help with quick changing.
I like the thicker barrel too (cellphone pic):
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j112/Avenger007/IMAGE_00679.jpg?t=1212981615
Be careful as they can become rather addicting:
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j112/Avenger007/DSC01771.jpg?t=1212982094
Thats my new B-cam set awaiting their rings from Shoot35. A pelican 1450 holds 4 of them nicely with the SG rings attached. The permanent rings really help with quick changing.
Ahhhh! Very nice, man. I have a 1500 and could only see a good five or six sitting in them so I'm going with the im2700 for an 8 fit. Your lenses look like heaven. I want to roll around on the carpet with them and make beautiful pictures. (EDIT HERE) I see that Angenieux hiding on the right side!!! Footage PLEASE!?!?!?!
You make me want to shell out on the 135/2 and all of the faster glass in general, but so much other stuff to buy to finish off the kit before HPX170 or 500 arrives.
Oh and speaking of lenses: (Disclaimer-- Photos taken with iPhone)
Cooking with Cooke S4's. Can't believe they actually fit on the rig but they do! And perfectly. With Mattebox, Follow Focus, etc. Just need a little lens support for it as the suckers are a lil heavy.
32/2 close focuses up to like 9". Incredible.
The weight isn't bad, I just wish it was more centered but with these rigs that's kinda a no go... still... love it...and...
The RR FF fits perfectly. You literally never have to move it back or forth with the S4's because the focus and iris rings are in the same place. You could honestly roll with two FFs to ride Iris and Focus if you wanted. Sick.
The suckers are sharp as hell and the look is a lot different than Zeiss. I like both, naturally, but would probably rather rent S4's from now on unless I needed something faster (which at this moment I can't see that being a total necessity. Thank gahd for faster cameras and adapters!).
Very VERY solid build, very very large and the exit holes are incredible large as well. Light fall off probably exists but I couldn't see any, and in comparison to the T2.1 set as far as area coverage the widest lens covers MUCH MORE of the ground glass on the S4 versus the Zeiss PL lens.
Footage to come, nothing special, just backyard gnomes and flowers but HAD to grab SOME kinda footage with them. This combo is killer.
You make me want to shell out on the 135/2 and all of the faster glass in general, but so much other stuff to buy to finish off the kit before HPX170 or 500 arrives.
Oh and speaking of lenses: (Disclaimer-- Photos taken with iPhone)
Cooking with Cooke S4's. Can't believe they actually fit on the rig but they do! And perfectly. With Mattebox, Follow Focus, etc. Just need a little lens support for it as the suckers are a lil heavy.
32/2 close focuses up to like 9". Incredible.
The weight isn't bad, I just wish it was more centered but with these rigs that's kinda a no go... still... love it...and...
The RR FF fits perfectly. You literally never have to move it back or forth with the S4's because the focus and iris rings are in the same place. You could honestly roll with two FFs to ride Iris and Focus if you wanted. Sick.
The suckers are sharp as hell and the look is a lot different than Zeiss. I like both, naturally, but would probably rather rent S4's from now on unless I needed something faster (which at this moment I can't see that being a total necessity. Thank gahd for faster cameras and adapters!).
Very VERY solid build, very very large and the exit holes are incredible large as well. Light fall off probably exists but I couldn't see any, and in comparison to the T2.1 set as far as area coverage the widest lens covers MUCH MORE of the ground glass on the S4 versus the Zeiss PL lens.
Footage to come, nothing special, just backyard gnomes and flowers but HAD to grab SOME kinda footage with them. This combo is killer.
Last edited:
On location right now doin' le DIT job and had a lunch break. No time to post footage but here's a still:
HVX200A @ CineV (+3dB I think, sometimes I forget the gain's on), Z31.0 (think I had to zoom in a little further as well, will test again when possible.) , Ultimate and 18mm Cooke S4.
HVX200A @ CineV (+3dB I think, sometimes I forget the gain's on), Z31.0 (think I had to zoom in a little further as well, will test again when possible.) , Ultimate and 18mm Cooke S4.
Thanks alot PaPa. The second I get some free time I'm going to post up the footages and a 200A gamma comparison with the same lenses on. A little under the weather and have one more day of shooting on a gig set to air really soon. It'll be sweet seein' the 200A and Ultimate on national television.
New Footages: http://www.vimeo.com/1176984
Nothing special here. Again, had a chance to play with some Cookes and here's some of the resulting footage. The set's T2 which is quite nice.
Various Focal lengths used.
Nothing special here. Again, had a chance to play with some Cookes and here's some of the resulting footage. The set's T2 which is quite nice.
Various Focal lengths used.
Taylor Rudd
Veteran
Looks great, Kholi. Thanks for keeping us up to date with your work and experience.
Eric Piccoli
Active member
Looks very filmic and natural. Very nice!
Thanks thanks you guys. Sorry that I haven't posted up the actual work bein' done with this thing. As soon as I can I will.
Looking forward, myself, to the show FANATIC on Turner Classic Movie Channel. Just shot with those guys (awesome people, and the Director rocks the SGPro himself) and the Ultimate was used as the tight/close-up cam. Can't wait to see what it looks like bein' broadcast.
Looking forward, myself, to the show FANATIC on Turner Classic Movie Channel. Just shot with those guys (awesome people, and the Director rocks the SGPro himself) and the Ultimate was used as the tight/close-up cam. Can't wait to see what it looks like bein' broadcast.