What can I gain from the 7d over my Letus

J

jrod81

Veteran
Hey guys,
I have been passionately pursuing selling my Letus Extreme to no avail so I am trying to talk myself into keeping the Letus and learning to love the images I get out of it. But just for my own education, I wondered if someone could tell me what I would gain with the 7d that I am lacking in an XHA1+Letus Extreme combo. My primary excitement was a smaller rig with the 7d, but by the time I add a monitor, FF, mattebox, and lenses to the 7d I might be about the same size as what I have now... Anyway, tell me guys how horrible my Letus is and how much better a 7d would be if only I could sell!
thanks
jared
 
Sold my HVX and Letus after one week with a 5D. Thought I would keep it but the images I get from the SLR just killed the adapter combo. I'd almost like a Letus now for cheap in the same way I like super8.
 
You also get far better low-light performance. The 7D outclasses a bare XH-A1 in this regard. The Letus cuts half a stop, then the SLR lens that you attach to it cuts even more.

The 7D should also give you a higher resolution image than an XH-A1 with adapter. But tests will need to be done to confirm this.
 
Also (add my two bits) it's probably better for you to learn on as a cinematographer.
The 35mm adapters may only cut 1/2 a stop, but they react strangely to both the aperture use on the lens and in your video camera's zoom, mean the relationship of luminance to f-stop isn't normal as in straight to chip, or film cuz of the weird effects of the ground glass. Also you're often limited on shutter speeds and f-stops about F4 so again, it limits you to creatively explore those options in your work.
 
I would sell my DVX100A and go full-out 7D, but the dang 12min limit kind of snuffs that out.

Every now and then I need to do boring stuff that's like 80mins long. I'll keep my 100A around. I like it too much. :)
 
I got a 7D, 5Dmkii, and 2 sony ex1s with 2 letus extremes.

We do primarily wedding videos and our team all agrees that the sony ex1 w/ letus combo is way more cinematic and we're sticking tight to it. we do still however shoot with the 5D in some situations, like using it with the glidetrack, or if its really low light...

If you check out these videos you can see the huge difference that the letus/ex1 combo makes over the 5D stuff (the 5D stuff is all the glidetrack stuff)

http://vimeo.com/6776641
http://vimeo.com/6666928
 
The 5D(or 7D) stuff is great, don't get me wrong, but image quality still looks a bit 'video-ey'

With the 35mm adapters, although you get a similar depth of field with the ability to use lenses, it also has adds a lil grain value which makes it more 'cinematic' -- more like film

just go on vimeo, watch a bunch of 35mm adapter films (letus, cinevate, sgblade), and then watch some 5D stuff. You'll also find that the 5D stuff is more saturated and vibrant.
 
Also the letus combo gives the image a 'softer' look, edges arnt as sharp, and any highlights just glow rather than just wash out.

Also I still like to use the letus combo cause with the EX1's you can overcrank it and shoot slowmo, and for things like the ceremony and speeches, I like to use the EX1 naked, get more flexibility, love the focus meter and peaking options, also pro audio with dual xlr inputs.

But I mean, its all user preference, so if you like hte 5D/7D look, nothing wrong with that!

I love to use it during the evening when its low light
 
Oh yeah so those 2 sample videos I listed earlier,

- All getting ready preparations are with the EX1/Letus
- Ceremony is naked EX1/Steadicam with some 5D stuff (glidetrack some other shots)
- Photoshoot is naked EX1/Steadicam and EX1/Letus (all slow mo)
- Reception is naked EX1 and some 5D (glidetrack stuff)
 
I'll be honest I like the Glidetrack shots. More dynamic range I think is why I prefer it. But that's just me, gotta do what makes you happy and confident in your work and you guys are really good at what you do :beer:
 
Maybe I'm too picky when it comes to this, but I think you need to consider bokeh quality. It's more close to film bokeh on the DSLR than using an adapter. After I got the 5D I couldn't look back.
 
octopi_films said:
Maybe I'm too picky when it comes to this, but I think you need to consider bokeh quality. It's more close to film bokeh on the DSLR than using an adapter. After I got the 5D I couldn't look back.
Click to expand...
I believe you are right, of course I could be wrong :). But between the portability, simplicity, price and dynamic range, just to name a few reasons, I can't imagine going back to an adapter.
 
desy said:
The 5D(or 7D) stuff is great, don't get me wrong, but image quality still looks a bit 'video-ey'

With the 35mm adapters, although you get a similar depth of field with the ability to use lenses, it also has adds a lil grain value which makes it more 'cinematic' -- more like film

just go on vimeo, watch a bunch of 35mm adapter films (letus, cinevate, sgblade), and then watch some 5D stuff. You'll also find that the 5D stuff is more saturated and vibrant.
Click to expand...

Out of the Camera 35mm adapter stuff will probably look better but you can match the look 99% of the time in post. I agree the look of the canons straight out of the camera looks over saturated and videoy but I've seen plenty of 5D footage with excellent post applied that looks very cinematic.

Also, adapters tend to look like you have a soft or mist filter on. With weddings this is a good looke but not necessarily for other stuff. I like the versatility of dSLR in a lot of situations.

Really though, if you can afford it, get one see how it goes and then make your decision.
 
desy said:
Also the letus combo gives the image a 'softer' look, edges arnt as sharp, and any highlights just glow rather than just wash out.
Click to expand...
This is something I noticed on the very first adapter I used (mini35, way way long ago) and it is something that you don't get on the raw cameras. The adapters, love 'em or hate 'em, have an ability to diffuse highlights that just makes for a bit more of a filmic feel.
 
Barry_Green said:
This is something I noticed on the very first adapter I used (mini35, way way long ago) and it is something that you don't get on the raw cameras. The adapters, love 'em or hate 'em, have an ability to diffuse highlights that just makes for a bit more of a filmic feel.
Click to expand...

Sounds like it's time to break out the nylon stockings again, hehehe.
 
CameronMagee said:
I would sell my DVX100A and go full-out 7D, but the dang 12min limit kind of snuffs that out.

Every now and then I need to do boring stuff that's like 80mins long. I'll keep my 100A around. I like it too much. :)
Click to expand...

Most of scenes I shoot are for 2 or 3 minutes at a time. And it should start recording faster than any tape based system. Do you do concerts or wildlife or sports? I could see problems if someone wanted to use a 7D at a high school football game.
 
Aye I'm struggling with the decision myself. I love my EX1+Letus combo, but it's so bulky, large, heavy, ergonically uncomfortable, takes ages to setup and is general a hassle when all I want is pretty images. This is a big consideration for me as I do a lot of run and gun/handheld shooting.

But it does take bloody lovely images.

The 7D seems to get 90% there in a tiny package, that is easy to use, light, small imprint etc. It may not be 100% of the way there but I think it's close enough to be a very viable option and I believe I'm going to get one to go alongside the Ex1, and maybe I'll even come to see it as a replacement.
 
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