B4 adaptor? at DVinfo.net

Christopher Drews · January 27th, 2009, 03:55 AM

Well, the day came. It's $3,500! For a relay lense? Sorry but I'd rather buy a mkii.
-C

Bob Hart · January 27th, 2009, 12:00 PM

Creating a relay lens for 3 x CCD imaging systems is not as easy and straightforward as it may seem on the surface. I've tried at an enthusiast level and failed.

You might be hard pressed to buy any other lens for a B4-Mount camera system any cheaper.

The cost likely reflects the complexity of getting it right without undue artifacts like chromatic abberation coming into the picture.

To be fair pricewise, this is a purposed lens for a limited market, maybe limited production runs, for high value cameras, so the cost per unit benefit of mass-production may not be available to the same extent as for higher volume consumer products.

Godfrey Kirby · January 28th, 2009, 03:27 AM

Hi
Now we have the B4 adaptor, what about a B3 adapter (sic.) - for us half inch folk.....?? I think I saw on the Letus chatboard that one was being considered/developed - having done the B4, how difficult would a B3 be? True, there is the B4/B3 mount but there is the problem of focal length increase and maybe other optical nasties. The EX3 could use one as well as the XDcam 3xx series.

Best wishes to all - Godfrey

Phil Bloom · January 28th, 2009, 03:59 PM

done a little blog on it (very fanboyesque i know but everyone knows I love the Letus products)

Philip Bloom Blog Archive The Letus Relays are almost upon us!

I hope to get my hands on the prototypes very soon to do some full on testing!! Don't get my wrong if they are rubbish I will say so. This is a lot of cash but I am confident Hien can and will deliver.

Bob Hart · January 28th, 2009, 09:40 PM

Philip.

I read on your blog comments that the Letus relay actually zooms as well as focus. It will be interesting how wide the view can be made to be with the zoom function.

There appears to be the remote possiblity to also use it on the P+S Technik Mini35-400 which has no 2/3" option. That the Letus relay is tailored to the condenser element used in the Extreme and Ultimate may rule this out however.

It also appears to be a retrofocus lens.

It might be a contender for the SI2K and Ikonoskop digital as well and a bonus for apparent resolution if that bit of extra field-of-view can be had from a recentred Letus Extreme. I don't know what the effect of using a lens adjusted for 3x sensor prism systems would be on a single sensor system.

Phil Bloom · February 16th, 2009, 12:15 PM

Philip Bloom CVP.com: Letus B4 Pro relay

here is my video made for CVP.com

Apologies about the hyper fast delivery, think I had too much caffeine that day and boy do I need to get back to fitness! Cameraman's bad back is a killer for staying in shape!!

Bob Hart · February 16th, 2009, 11:39 PM

Phil.

If you are getting a "back", try wearing a lightweight backpack with shoulder straps shortened or lengthened for best comfort against the "bad" portion of the back and incrementally add some sand ballast in plastic bags into the backpack to best comfort whilst operating the camera handheld or stooping over a tripod.

Letting the thing slip low instead to exert counterforce against your butt may also help. You need a piece of plyboard in bottom of the backpack to keep it spread out and the sandbag forced to outward (rear) side by padding for this to work best.

A backpain sufferer's corset may also help but pride usually stops people from wearing these things pre-emptively. They are hot, uncomfortable, send intra-abdominal compression through the roof and you find yourself wanting to pass bad wind at the worst moments all day.

Most importantly, ask your medic or back specialist before you even contemplate this.

Christopher Drews · February 17th, 2009, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil Bloom

Philip Bloom CVP.com: Letus B4 Pro relay

here is my video made for CVP.com

Apologies about the hyper fast delivery, think I had too much caffeine that day and boy do I need to get back to fitness! Cameraman's bad back is a killer for staying in shape!!

Hey Phil - You forgot to mention in the video if you thought the adaptor is worth the money.
Cool tests - your buddy looked cold. Loved the Zeiss glass.

-C

Anthony Ojo · February 25th, 2009, 01:46 PM

I am a little new to the 35mm lens world, although i have learned a lot, and i keep hearing about how great the B4 relay is. And i also keep seeing it described as the relay for 2/3" cameras but i've seen it used on the 1/2" EX3. So i guess what want to know is what is the simple layman's term benefit of the relay and is it for the most part any camera that has a removable lens system compatible with the relay. Oh and have you heard of the Cinevate Relay which seems better..

January 27th, 2009, 03:55 AM	#1
Christopher Drews Major Player Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 628	B4 adaptor? Well, the day came. It's $3,500! For a relay lense? Sorry but I'd rather buy a mkii. -C

January 27th, 2009, 12:00 PM	#2
Bob Hart Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PERTH. W.A. AUSTRALIA. Posts: 4,477	Creating a relay lens for 3 x CCD imaging systems is not as easy and straightforward as it may seem on the surface. I've tried at an enthusiast level and failed. You might be hard pressed to buy any other lens for a B4-Mount camera system any cheaper. The cost likely reflects the complexity of getting it right without undue artifacts like chromatic abberation coming into the picture. To be fair pricewise, this is a purposed lens for a limited market, maybe limited production runs, for high value cameras, so the cost per unit benefit of mass-production may not be available to the same extent as for higher volume consumer products. Last edited by Bob Hart; January 27th, 2009 at 12:02 PM. Reason: added text

January 28th, 2009, 03:59 PM	#4
Phil Bloom Trustee Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: London UK Posts: 1,939	done a little blog on it (very fanboyesque i know but everyone knows I love the Letus products) Philip Bloom Blog Archive The Letus Relays are almost upon us! I hope to get my hands on the prototypes very soon to do some full on testing!! Don't get my wrong if they are rubbish I will say so. This is a lot of cash but I am confident Hien can and will deliver. __________________ Philip Bloom Cinematographer, Director, Filmmaker www.philipbloom.net

January 28th, 2009, 09:40 PM	#5
Bob Hart Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PERTH. W.A. AUSTRALIA. Posts: 4,477	Philip. I read on your blog comments that the Letus relay actually zooms as well as focus. It will be interesting how wide the view can be made to be with the zoom function. There appears to be the remote possiblity to also use it on the P+S Technik Mini35-400 which has no 2/3" option. That the Letus relay is tailored to the condenser element used in the Extreme and Ultimate may rule this out however. It also appears to be a retrofocus lens. It might be a contender for the SI2K and Ikonoskop digital as well and a bonus for apparent resolution if that bit of extra field-of-view can be had from a recentred Letus Extreme. I don't know what the effect of using a lens adjusted for 3x sensor prism systems would be on a single sensor system. Last edited by Bob Hart; January 28th, 2009 at 09:46 PM. Reason: added text.

February 16th, 2009, 12:15 PM	#6
Phil Bloom Trustee Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: London UK Posts: 1,939	Philip Bloom CVP.com: Letus B4 Pro relay here is my video made for CVP.com Apologies about the hyper fast delivery, think I had too much caffeine that day and boy do I need to get back to fitness! Cameraman's bad back is a killer for staying in shape!! __________________ Philip Bloom Cinematographer, Director, Filmmaker www.philipbloom.net

January 28th, 2009, 03:27 AM	#3
Godfrey Kirby Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: London UK Posts: 71	Hi Now we have the B4 adaptor, what about a B3 adapter (sic.) - for us half inch folk.....?? I think I saw on the Letus chatboard that one was being considered/developed - having done the B4, how difficult would a B3 be? True, there is the B4/B3 mount but there is the problem of focal length increase and maybe other optical nasties. The EX3 could use one as well as the XDcam 3xx series. Best wishes to all - Godfrey

February 16th, 2009, 11:39 PM	#7
Bob Hart Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PERTH. W.A. AUSTRALIA. Posts: 4,477	Phil. If you are getting a "back", try wearing a lightweight backpack with shoulder straps shortened or lengthened for best comfort against the "bad" portion of the back and incrementally add some sand ballast in plastic bags into the backpack to best comfort whilst operating the camera handheld or stooping over a tripod. Letting the thing slip low instead to exert counterforce against your butt may also help. You need a piece of plyboard in bottom of the backpack to keep it spread out and the sandbag forced to outward (rear) side by padding for this to work best. A backpain sufferer's corset may also help but pride usually stops people from wearing these things pre-emptively. They are hot, uncomfortable, send intra-abdominal compression through the roof and you find yourself wanting to pass bad wind at the worst moments all day. Most importantly, ask your medic or back specialist before you even contemplate this. Last edited by Bob Hart; February 17th, 2009 at 12:25 AM. Reason: error

February 25th, 2009, 01:46 PM	#9
Anthony Ojo New Boot Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: USA Posts: 7	I am a little new to the 35mm lens world, although i have learned a lot, and i keep hearing about how great the B4 relay is. And i also keep seeing it described as the relay for 2/3" cameras but i've seen it used on the 1/2" EX3. So i guess what want to know is what is the simple layman's term benefit of the relay and is it for the most part any camera that has a removable lens system compatible with the relay. Oh and have you heard of the Cinevate Relay which seems better.. __________________ Visit TheOJO.com!