New Letus "Extreme" example footage at DVinfo.net

Steven Dempsey · September 25th, 2007, 03:06 PM

Most of you know that there is a new version of the Letus 35mm adapter.

Please keep in mind the following as you watch this:

1. I was working with a pre-release version of the adapter.
2. This was all shot at 24f using a Canon XHA1
3. The colors are on the warm side for two reasons, it was sunset and I balanced it for warm colors.
4. There is no sound

I am including a 720 version for those with slower computers and a 1080 version which will, of course, be closer to the original.

I will be doing more tests this weekend. I know you are all looking for indoor footage and variable shutter speed stuff...I just have not had time to do it and I am also working on a crippled computer.

I'll do my best to answer any questions but the footage should speak for itself.

I included shots with my 100mm, 50mm and 28mm....the wide shots were done just to show the detail captured.

http://www.dvxuser.ramjetfilms.com/extreme_cc_720.wmv

1080 version:
http://www.dvxuser.ramjetfilms.com/extreme_cc_1080.wmv

Special thanks to Jason at DVXUser for hosting the files and Mikko for being willing...I may need your services again soon, Mikko

I will be checking on and off but don't expect immediate responses to your questions.

Ing Poh Hii · September 26th, 2007, 02:24 AM

These are beautiful picture, the dynamic range looks very good, almost retain what the original HD len can do, I have seen only very little hot-spot in the whole clip (which is something I rather say unavoidable in big f-stop).

Steve, Did you use ND ? how much you have added ? and what f-stop being used here ?

Finally I see something that can make nature colour just as good as SGPro, in term of edge to edge sharpness I would still prefer SGPro but for the portability and price and flip image! ...

Any chance to see some comparison of all adapters on same set include Brevis.

LetUsExtreme, you have my heart now!

Thank you very much Steve, look forward to your indoor clips.

Chan Ee Jien · September 26th, 2007, 10:11 AM

Clean and nice.

I wish my Brevis had nice DOF like that (as in shallow looking enough and manageable). I wish I didn't jump the gun at that point.

I assume you did all this without rails or anything?

I don't usually use rails cause my hands keep on messing with the zoom and focus rings (accidentally). I can just use the focus-zoom set but it is still annoying

Douglas Villalba · September 26th, 2007, 05:21 PM

Hello Steven,

You seem to have a relationship with the people at Letus. I have been looking at 35 mm adaptors for a while and the Letus has a great advantage over the others as far as price. I have seen footage that were sharp enough to be of my liking when viewed on a 42" Plasma from the other adaptors. I have yet to see sharp and contrasty images of the Letus. Maybe it because all that I have seen is either the wrong lens or simply not enough lighting contrast.

I don't mean to say that the images posted are not good. They are just not good enough to judge the sharpness of the Letus.

Is it possible for you or someone else to do a short full res. clip of the Letus under control conditions like in a studio and see what it can do? I won't be impress by extreme DOF control. I just want to see what a 24 mm at f4 to see how sharp it could be.

Something like this still (no adaptor used) http://www.mediafire.com/imageview.p...lbjh0h&thumb=4
I tried uploading it here but it is not working.

Blake Calhoun · September 26th, 2007, 05:30 PM

Doug,

Check out my post here:
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=104458

Douglas Villalba · September 26th, 2007, 05:50 PM

Hello Blake,

I can't wait for the next episode of Pink. I am hooked.

It is hard to judge the image quality if the shot wasn't intended to be a test.
For example this images are from the same frame grab. One is raw and the other is the final. I want to see as mush sharpness as it can take. I'll provably never use the sharp image but its like aving a Ferrari. You'll never take it to 200 mph, but you'll like to know that you could. :-)

I want to SEE MORE PINK!!!!

Blake Calhoun · September 26th, 2007, 06:03 PM

Thanks for watching! Glad you liked it. :)

And yeah, I know what you're saying about the testing, etc. You mentioned not having seen much contrasty/sharp Letus footage, so I thought I'd direct you to my footage. I really like the Letus adapter. My only issues really were REMEMBERING to turn it on, and getting some dirt specs out, oh and making sure the camera was zoomed in properly to avoid seeing the adapter!

I've really been pleased with it's performance!

Jamon Lewis · September 26th, 2007, 10:59 PM

Steven,

How much LESS grain does the ground glass in the Letus35 Extreme have compared to the previous Letus adapters would you say (Percentage or using any other unit of measure)?

Thanks

Steven Dempsey · September 27th, 2007, 06:37 AM

Compared to the original Letus I had, I'd say there's a reduction of about 60%....which is huge.

Blake Calhoun · September 27th, 2007, 11:45 AM

Hey Steven,

Footage looks nice. I might be trading my FE in for an Extreme. :) I think Quyen is going to offer that...

Only concern is the extra weight. I notice it's about twice as heavy as the FE. Did that bother you? And, are you using rails now with the extra weight?

Thanks,
Blake

Steven Dempsey · September 27th, 2007, 11:47 AM

Once you get the Extreme, you won't want to even look at the FE, I guarantee it. The added weight does make rails a must. I actually prefer the added weight, it gives the camera a more substantial feel and is easier to move slowly and more steadily on a tripod/monopod or handheld.

Nicholas Tran · September 28th, 2007, 12:30 AM

Steven,

What do you know about the Letus Economy? The website claims that the picture quality should be very close to the Extreme. Was wondering if you had any experience with it. It is significantly less in price...

Thanks.

Marlon Torres · September 28th, 2007, 01:22 AM

nice stuff, im seriously considering replacing my M2.

Jamon Lewis · September 28th, 2007, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven Dempsey

Compared to the original Letus I had, I'd say there's a reduction of about 60%....which is huge.

That's great!!! Thanks....

Doug Davis · October 1st, 2007, 12:44 AM

Well... I plan on placing an order this week for the extreme... Steven I sure hope you get commission from the guys over at Letus... Or at the very least get a free shirt because by God you are the best sales rep they have...

I appreciate somebody not just telling me what it can do but showing because when it comes to the world of production seeing is believing...

Also, do you have any advice on what setting you are using for the A1 (shutter, aperature, gain, OIS, preset, white balance...)? Any tips or tricks are greatly appreciated...

September 25th, 2007, 03:06 PM	#1
Steven Dempsey Disjecta Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Seattle, Washington Posts: 937	New Letus "Extreme" example footage Most of you know that there is a new version of the Letus 35mm adapter. Please keep in mind the following as you watch this: 1. I was working with a pre-release version of the adapter. 2. This was all shot at 24f using a Canon XHA1 3. The colors are on the warm side for two reasons, it was sunset and I balanced it for warm colors. 4. There is no sound I am including a 720 version for those with slower computers and a 1080 version which will, of course, be closer to the original. I will be doing more tests this weekend. I know you are all looking for indoor footage and variable shutter speed stuff...I just have not had time to do it and I am also working on a crippled computer. I'll do my best to answer any questions but the footage should speak for itself. I included shots with my 100mm, 50mm and 28mm....the wide shots were done just to show the detail captured. http://www.dvxuser.ramjetfilms.com/extreme_cc_720.wmv 1080 version: http://www.dvxuser.ramjetfilms.com/extreme_cc_1080.wmv Special thanks to Jason at DVXUser for hosting the files and Mikko for being willing...I may need your services again soon, Mikko I will be checking on and off but don't expect immediate responses to your questions. __________________ Try my Digital Therapy: http://www.pinelakefilms.com/digital_therapy.html Films on ExposureRoom: http://exposureroom.com/members/disjecta.aspx/videos/

September 26th, 2007, 05:21 PM	#4
Douglas Villalba Major Player Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Miami, Florida, USA Posts: 479	Hello Steven, You seem to have a relationship with the people at Letus. I have been looking at 35 mm adaptors for a while and the Letus has a great advantage over the others as far as price. I have seen footage that were sharp enough to be of my liking when viewed on a 42" Plasma from the other adaptors. I have yet to see sharp and contrasty images of the Letus. Maybe it because all that I have seen is either the wrong lens or simply not enough lighting contrast. I don't mean to say that the images posted are not good. They are just not good enough to judge the sharpness of the Letus. Is it possible for you or someone else to do a short full res. clip of the Letus under control conditions like in a studio and see what it can do? I won't be impress by extreme DOF control. I just want to see what a 24 mm at f4 to see how sharp it could be. Something like this still (no adaptor used) http://www.mediafire.com/imageview.p...lbjh0h&thumb=4 I tried uploading it here but it is not working. __________________ Douglas Villalba - director/cinematographer/editor Miami, Florida, USA - www.DVtvPRODUCTIONS.com

September 26th, 2007, 05:30 PM	#5
Blake Calhoun Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 157	Doug, Check out my post here: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=104458 __________________ Mainly dabble in features and WebTV: www.pinktheseries.com \| www.facebook.com/continuumtv \| www.killingdown.com

September 26th, 2007, 05:50 PM	#6
Douglas Villalba Major Player Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Miami, Florida, USA Posts: 479	Hello Blake, I can't wait for the next episode of Pink. I am hooked. It is hard to judge the image quality if the shot wasn't intended to be a test. For example this images are from the same frame grab. One is raw and the other is the final. I want to see as mush sharpness as it can take. I'll provably never use the sharp image but its like aving a Ferrari. You'll never take it to 200 mph, but you'll like to know that you could. :-) I want to SEE MORE PINK!!!! Attached Thumbnails __________________ Douglas Villalba - director/cinematographer/editor Miami, Florida, USA - www.DVtvPRODUCTIONS.com

September 26th, 2007, 06:03 PM	#7
Blake Calhoun Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 157	Thanks for watching! Glad you liked it. :) And yeah, I know what you're saying about the testing, etc. You mentioned not having seen much contrasty/sharp Letus footage, so I thought I'd direct you to my footage. I really like the Letus adapter. My only issues really were REMEMBERING to turn it on, and getting some dirt specs out, oh and making sure the camera was zoomed in properly to avoid seeing the adapter! I've really been pleased with it's performance! __________________ Mainly dabble in features and WebTV: www.pinktheseries.com \| www.facebook.com/continuumtv \| www.killingdown.com

September 26th, 2007, 02:24 AM	#2
Ing Poh Hii Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Kuching, Malaysia Posts: 104	These are beautiful picture, the dynamic range looks very good, almost retain what the original HD len can do, I have seen only very little hot-spot in the whole clip (which is something I rather say unavoidable in big f-stop). Steve, Did you use ND ? how much you have added ? and what f-stop being used here ? Finally I see something that can make nature colour just as good as SGPro, in term of edge to edge sharpness I would still prefer SGPro but for the portability and price and flip image! ... Any chance to see some comparison of all adapters on same set include Brevis. LetUsExtreme, you have my heart now! Thank you very much Steve, look forward to your indoor clips.

September 26th, 2007, 10:11 AM	#3
Chan Ee Jien Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Malaysia Posts: 67	Clean and nice. I wish my Brevis had nice DOF like that (as in shallow looking enough and manageable). I wish I didn't jump the gun at that point. I assume you did all this without rails or anything? I don't usually use rails cause my hands keep on messing with the zoom and focus rings (accidentally). I can just use the focus-zoom set but it is still annoying

September 26th, 2007, 10:59 PM	#8
Jamon Lewis Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: NY NY USA Posts: 95	Steven, How much LESS grain does the ground glass in the Letus35 Extreme have compared to the previous Letus adapters would you say (Percentage or using any other unit of measure)? Thanks

September 27th, 2007, 06:37 AM	#9
Steven Dempsey Disjecta Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Seattle, Washington Posts: 937	Compared to the original Letus I had, I'd say there's a reduction of about 60%....which is huge. __________________ Try my Digital Therapy: http://www.pinelakefilms.com/digital_therapy.html Films on ExposureRoom: http://exposureroom.com/members/disjecta.aspx/videos/

September 27th, 2007, 11:45 AM	#10
Blake Calhoun Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 157	Hey Steven, Footage looks nice. I might be trading my FE in for an Extreme. :) I think Quyen is going to offer that... Only concern is the extra weight. I notice it's about twice as heavy as the FE. Did that bother you? And, are you using rails now with the extra weight? Thanks, Blake __________________ Mainly dabble in features and WebTV: www.pinktheseries.com \| www.facebook.com/continuumtv \| www.killingdown.com

September 27th, 2007, 11:47 AM	#11
Steven Dempsey Disjecta Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Seattle, Washington Posts: 937	Once you get the Extreme, you won't want to even look at the FE, I guarantee it. The added weight does make rails a must. I actually prefer the added weight, it gives the camera a more substantial feel and is easier to move slowly and more steadily on a tripod/monopod or handheld. __________________ Try my Digital Therapy: http://www.pinelakefilms.com/digital_therapy.html Films on ExposureRoom: http://exposureroom.com/members/disjecta.aspx/videos/

September 28th, 2007, 12:30 AM	#12
Nicholas Tran Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Irvine, CA Posts: 67	Steven, What do you know about the Letus Economy? The website claims that the picture quality should be very close to the Extreme. Was wondering if you had any experience with it. It is significantly less in price... Thanks.

September 28th, 2007, 01:22 AM	#13
Marlon Torres Major Player Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 230	nice stuff, im seriously considering replacing my M2.

October 1st, 2007, 12:44 AM	#15
Doug Davis Major Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Birmingham Alabama Posts: 259	Well... I plan on placing an order this week for the extreme... Steven I sure hope you get commission from the guys over at Letus... Or at the very least get a free shirt because by God you are the best sales rep they have... I appreciate somebody not just telling me what it can do but showing because when it comes to the world of production seeing is believing... Also, do you have any advice on what setting you are using for the A1 (shutter, aperature, gain, OIS, preset, white balance...)? Any tips or tricks are greatly appreciated... __________________ "The only thing the camera sees is light..." http://www.GoWildOlive.com