Review of Quyen Le's Letus35

Michael Maier · September 22nd, 2005, 09:06 AM

So Obin, are you going to tell us what macro the Micro35 uses?

Leo Mandy · September 22nd, 2005, 10:33 AM

Yes, that would be cool to find out what macro is in use!

Obin Olson · September 22nd, 2005, 04:00 PM

they will not tell me, but it's not half bad at all, coudl it be better? IMHO yes it could, but it works well

Kurt August · September 22nd, 2005, 04:31 PM

Ah, isn't it nice to see a product grow up? I really think it will get there quite soon. I can only hope the father of this product keeps up the healthy attitude of maturing it as good as possible.
Perhaps with better opticals, a sturdier motor (perhaps with a single 9v battery?), etc. it will be a bit more expensive to produce, but I'm sure most people wouldn't mind paying for that. After all, it wouldn't make sense buying the best (and certainly not the cheapest) primes, just to loose optical quality in the adapter.

As for the macro, could it be that every camera prefers it's own combination? The difficulty for Quyen must be to figure out which one fits all best. I could be wrong. But I'm sure he collects the data from the testers and uses it for the best.

I wish I could post some footage. But until then, I'll shut up.

Aaron McMath · September 22nd, 2005, 04:39 PM

Obin,

I have been following your' posts in various forums around the web for a while. You are a great shooter and an informative guy. Thanks for all the good info!

Since you added the extra batteries to make the glass move faster, has the rig gotten noisier? (audio-wise)

Also, if I bought this unit how easy would it be to replace the achromat and the GG?

How does the grain on the Letus35 compare to the grain on the M2?

M2 has same flare problems as the 300 series mini35's?

Is there any chance, in your' opinion, of attaching any of these adapters to the adapter part (w/out converter) of the mini35 for XL1 or JVC. Any other way of accomplishing the same goal of eliminating the weakest lens element?

Also, have you seen anything from the Pico35?

Cine-One?

G35?

Thanks for all the pioneering.

-Aaron

Michael Maier · September 22nd, 2005, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron McMath

Also, if I bought this unit how easy would it be to replace the achromat and the GG?

Problem with that concept is that, if you have to replace the lens and the GG, you are basically paying 300 bucks for an aluminium empty shell, since the motor seems to be cheap ($3 as suggested by Obin).

Obin Olson · September 24th, 2005, 08:08 AM

test test test

Obin,

I have been following your' posts in various forums around the web for a while. You are a great shooter and an informative guy. Thanks for all the good info!

Thanks for the good vibe!

Since you added the extra batteries to make the glass move faster, has the rig gotten noisier? (audio-wise)

audio level is the same, it's not bad at all, high end shotgun mics don't pick it up at all on shoots

Also, if I bought this unit how easy would it be to replace the achromat and the GG?

GG is great, I don't see a way to make it better
achromat is easy to replace, really you can take the whole thing apart in about 10min or less..

How does the grain on the Letus35 compare to the grain on the M2?
M2 is much finer with the issue of having the double image, non m2 on the micro35 is the same as the Letus

M2 has same flare problems as the 300 series mini35's?

as far as I can tell you will get the issues with ANY rotating GG system, vibrating seems to be MUCH better with artifacts of many types, jsut make sure the GG vibrates fast enough!

Is there any chance, in your' opinion, of attaching any of these adapters to the adapter part (w/out converter) of the mini35 for XL1 or JVC. Any other way of accomplishing the same goal of eliminating the weakest lens element?not sure, you would need a relay lens system to use Letus on Xl2 etc type camera, it would be MUCH better with a relay but as you know the dvx has a built in lens.

Also, have you seen anything from the Pico35?
never heard of a pico35

Cine-One?
never used it

G35?
I talk with him, but he has never sent me a demo unit for HD testing

Thanks for all the pioneering.

-Aaron

Quyen Le · September 24th, 2005, 08:21 AM

Obin,

In one of your post, you said you have asked about the achromat and people refused to answer, is that the new achromat or the one you used in the unit? Can you take measurement of the achromat you are using? I believe it's rectangular but what is the size? Thanks.

Quyen

Leo Mandy · September 24th, 2005, 10:01 AM

It would be nice to have a chart that lists the best and worst achromats. These aren't really the heart of the units people are selling, so it would just give others a choice if they want to upgrade on the one they are using. Also they seems to be interchangeable, which is a good thing.

Eric Brown · September 24th, 2005, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Porter

Eric, I read the entire thread again and I think you are misunderstanding Jonathan, or I am misunderstanding you, LOL

I got the impression you meant that the G35 would allow you to omit the original XL-2 lens and mount the G35 directly to the camcorder without a lens on the camcorder. If this is what you meant then I think you are mistaken.

Sorry if that's how it came across but, yes, that is not what I'm saying (at least about the not needing a lens part) It seems to me that the staging is as follows:

1)Camera body
3)35mm Adapter (with proprietary mount)
4)Still lens

Which would be nice as this would eliminate the "Pinocchio" effect from stacking lens, devices, on top of the XL series's already very long 20x lens.
Maybe I am reading it wrong but since Johnathan makes mention of both a "threaded" mount and a "bayonet" mount, this leads me to believe
that this is indeed what will appear in the production units.
If you read something else into it please straighten me out.
Just don't crush my spirits as I really want a bayonet mounted adapter! Ha Ha!

Michael Maier · September 24th, 2005, 10:34 AM

Hey Quyen, are you going to offer an updated version with faster motor and a better achromat to correct the weak points and make it work properly?

Quyen Le · September 24th, 2005, 10:35 AM

Yes, it's on the way, thanks for asking.

Quyen

Michael Maier · September 24th, 2005, 11:26 AM

Good to know. You should give it a different name like maybe letus35B or something. So people will know they are buying a second generation and improved product.

Leo Mandy · September 24th, 2005, 01:30 PM

Got my 1.8 FD S.C. Canon lens today (not the 1.4 I wanted, but I will have to wait). Just patiently waiting on the Letus35 to test it out!

Quyen Le · September 24th, 2005, 04:28 PM

Yes, it has the new name and it's Letus35A like somebody has suggested, thanks.

Quyen

September 22nd, 2005, 04:31 PM	#154
Kurt August Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Belgium Posts: 94	All the best Ah, isn't it nice to see a product grow up? I really think it will get there quite soon. I can only hope the father of this product keeps up the healthy attitude of maturing it as good as possible. Perhaps with better opticals, a sturdier motor (perhaps with a single 9v battery?), etc. it will be a bit more expensive to produce, but I'm sure most people wouldn't mind paying for that. After all, it wouldn't make sense buying the best (and certainly not the cheapest) primes, just to loose optical quality in the adapter. As for the macro, could it be that every camera prefers it's own combination? The difficulty for Quyen must be to figure out which one fits all best. I could be wrong. But I'm sure he collects the data from the testers and uses it for the best. I wish I could post some footage. But until then, I'll shut up.

September 22nd, 2005, 04:39 PM	#155
Aaron McMath New Boot Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 15	Noise? Obin, I have been following your' posts in various forums around the web for a while. You are a great shooter and an informative guy. Thanks for all the good info! Since you added the extra batteries to make the glass move faster, has the rig gotten noisier? (audio-wise) Also, if I bought this unit how easy would it be to replace the achromat and the GG? How does the grain on the Letus35 compare to the grain on the M2? M2 has same flare problems as the 300 series mini35's? Is there any chance, in your' opinion, of attaching any of these adapters to the adapter part (w/out converter) of the mini35 for XL1 or JVC. Any other way of accomplishing the same goal of eliminating the weakest lens element? Also, have you seen anything from the Pico35? Cine-One? G35? Thanks for all the pioneering. -Aaron

September 24th, 2005, 08:21 AM	#158
Quyen Le Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 356	Obin, In one of your post, you said you have asked about the achromat and people refused to answer, is that the new achromat or the one you used in the unit? Can you take measurement of the achromat you are using? I believe it's rectangular but what is the size? Thanks. Quyen __________________ Affordable Adapter http://www.adapterplace.com

September 24th, 2005, 10:35 AM	#162
Quyen Le Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 356	Yes, it's on the way, thanks for asking. Quyen __________________ Affordable Adapter http://www.adapterplace.com

September 24th, 2005, 04:28 PM	#165
Quyen Le Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 356	Yes, it has the new name and it's Letus35A like somebody has suggested, thanks. Quyen __________________ Affordable Adapter http://www.adapterplace.com

September 22nd, 2005, 09:06 AM	#151
Michael Maier Trustee Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,269	So Obin, are you going to tell us what macro the Micro35 uses?

September 22nd, 2005, 10:33 AM	#152
Leo Mandy Major Player Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 749	Yes, that would be cool to find out what macro is in use!

September 22nd, 2005, 04:00 PM	#153
Obin Olson Trustee Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Wilmington NC Posts: 1,414	they will not tell me, but it's not half bad at all, coudl it be better? IMHO yes it could, but it works well

September 24th, 2005, 08:08 AM	#157
Obin Olson Trustee Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Wilmington NC Posts: 1,414	test test test Obin, I have been following your' posts in various forums around the web for a while. You are a great shooter and an informative guy. Thanks for all the good info! Thanks for the good vibe! Since you added the extra batteries to make the glass move faster, has the rig gotten noisier? (audio-wise) audio level is the same, it's not bad at all, high end shotgun mics don't pick it up at all on shoots Also, if I bought this unit how easy would it be to replace the achromat and the GG? GG is great, I don't see a way to make it better achromat is easy to replace, really you can take the whole thing apart in about 10min or less.. How does the grain on the Letus35 compare to the grain on the M2? M2 is much finer with the issue of having the double image, non m2 on the micro35 is the same as the Letus M2 has same flare problems as the 300 series mini35's? as far as I can tell you will get the issues with ANY rotating GG system, vibrating seems to be MUCH better with artifacts of many types, jsut make sure the GG vibrates fast enough! Is there any chance, in your' opinion, of attaching any of these adapters to the adapter part (w/out converter) of the mini35 for XL1 or JVC. Any other way of accomplishing the same goal of eliminating the weakest lens element?not sure, you would need a relay lens system to use Letus on Xl2 etc type camera, it would be MUCH better with a relay but as you know the dvx has a built in lens. Also, have you seen anything from the Pico35? never heard of a pico35 Cine-One? never used it G35? I talk with him, but he has never sent me a demo unit for HD testing Thanks for all the pioneering. -Aaron

September 24th, 2005, 10:01 AM	#159
Leo Mandy Major Player Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 749	It would be nice to have a chart that lists the best and worst achromats. These aren't really the heart of the units people are selling, so it would just give others a choice if they want to upgrade on the one they are using. Also they seems to be interchangeable, which is a good thing.

September 24th, 2005, 10:34 AM	#161
Michael Maier Trustee Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,269	Hey Quyen, are you going to offer an updated version with faster motor and a better achromat to correct the weak points and make it work properly?

September 24th, 2005, 11:26 AM	#163
Michael Maier Trustee Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,269	Good to know. You should give it a different name like maybe letus35B or something. So people will know they are buying a second generation and improved product.

September 24th, 2005, 01:30 PM	#164
Leo Mandy Major Player Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 749	Got my 1.8 FD S.C. Canon lens today (not the 1.4 I wanted, but I will have to wait). Just patiently waiting on the Letus35 to test it out!