Letus and Steadicam Pilot at DVinfo.net

Mohammad Farooqi · November 16th, 2009, 12:58 AM

Hi Everyone,

Just wondering if anyone has used any letus adapter with its stock v2 support rails on a Steadicam pilot.

Pictures welcome

Thanks

Mitchell Lewis · November 17th, 2009, 09:02 AM

I haven't done this. But a friend told me I was crazy to try and fly my Letus rig. His point was that with such a shallow DOF, it would be next to impossible to follow focus while you're shooting.

If you end up trying it, let me know how it goes. (I would love to prove him wrong) :)

Mohammad Farooqi · December 8th, 2009, 09:52 PM

I am going to try and see how it works. Will let you know if I can pull it off.

Thanks

Charles Papert · December 9th, 2009, 12:30 AM

This is a quest along the lines of the old riddle "how long is a piece of string"?

Of course you can shoot with a 35mm adaptor on a stabilizer without pulling focus. You have to use a lens that is wide enough along with a stop that is deep enough to hold enough depth of field to contain your subject. With a fixed distance between camera and subject, this is pretty easy, especially in daylight. With that distance varying on an interior or night exterior, all you have left is shooting with a very wide angle lens to achieve your goals.

Bottom line is: you are limited to certain types of shots under certain parameters. Realistically, most shots will force you into a situation where you will not be delivering both the appearance of shallow depth of field as well as keeping the subject in focus, because you are having to shoot with extensive depth of field to achieve the latter. At that point, you don't have too many reasons to use the Letus and might as well just shoot without it, because on a 1/3" camera you are far less limited to the kinds of shots you can get without pulling focus. In addition, the Pilot will be able to handle the weight better.

Of course the solution is wireless follow focus, which has traditionally been too expensive for the "budget" user (I could buy 10 Pilots for the amount I have invested in this type of gear!). However there will be some affordable units out soon aimed at the folks using 35mm adaptors or DSLR's, so hold tight!

Joseph Dono · December 13th, 2009, 01:10 AM

I used my 28mm on the steady rig and I was good with using around 2.8, how ever you need to be careful that you are on spot with your movements, don't take double steps from the actor so that you don't move out of the DOF range.

November 16th, 2009, 12:58 AM	#1
Mohammad Farooqi Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Jamaica, NY Posts: 40	Letus and Steadicam Pilot Hi Everyone, Just wondering if anyone has used any letus adapter with its stock v2 support rails on a Steadicam pilot. Pictures welcome Thanks

November 17th, 2009, 09:02 AM	#2
Mitchell Lewis Trustee Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Kennewick, WA Posts: 1,124	I haven't done this. But a friend told me I was crazy to try and fly my Letus rig. His point was that with such a shallow DOF, it would be next to impossible to follow focus while you're shooting. If you end up trying it, let me know how it goes. (I would love to prove him wrong) :) __________________ Sony EX3, Canon 5D MkII, Chrosziel Matte Box, Sachtler tripod, Steadicam Flyer, Mac Pro, Apple/Adobe software - 20 years as a local videographer/editor

December 8th, 2009, 09:52 PM	#3
Mohammad Farooqi Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Jamaica, NY Posts: 40	Will do I am going to try and see how it works. Will let you know if I can pull it off. Thanks

December 9th, 2009, 12:30 AM	#4
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	This is a quest along the lines of the old riddle "how long is a piece of string"? Of course you can shoot with a 35mm adaptor on a stabilizer without pulling focus. You have to use a lens that is wide enough along with a stop that is deep enough to hold enough depth of field to contain your subject. With a fixed distance between camera and subject, this is pretty easy, especially in daylight. With that distance varying on an interior or night exterior, all you have left is shooting with a very wide angle lens to achieve your goals. Bottom line is: you are limited to certain types of shots under certain parameters. Realistically, most shots will force you into a situation where you will not be delivering both the appearance of shallow depth of field as well as keeping the subject in focus, because you are having to shoot with extensive depth of field to achieve the latter. At that point, you don't have too many reasons to use the Letus and might as well just shoot without it, because on a 1/3" camera you are far less limited to the kinds of shots you can get without pulling focus. In addition, the Pilot will be able to handle the weight better. Of course the solution is wireless follow focus, which has traditionally been too expensive for the "budget" user (I could buy 10 Pilots for the amount I have invested in this type of gear!). However there will be some affordable units out soon aimed at the folks using 35mm adaptors or DSLR's, so hold tight! __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

December 13th, 2009, 01:10 AM	#5
Joseph Dono New Boot Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Tampa / Florida / USA Posts: 11	I used my 28mm on the steady rig and I was good with using around 2.8, how ever you need to be careful that you are on spot with your movements, don't take double steps from the actor so that you don't move out of the DOF range.