LetusXL Flip Enhanced

Devon Lyon · July 19th, 2006, 09:38 AM

Yesterday I upgraded to the new LetusXL Flip Enhanced. I have only had time for a few quick tests and my INITIAL impressions are below.

I promise to post stills and a few movies within the next two days.

First, I also owned the LetusXL Flip, so I have a good sense of the differences between the two versions.

1. The new enhanced version is slightly bigger and longer. At the relay lens end there is both aperture AND back focus adjustment (which just rocks). I think this new feature will prove critical for on-the-fly adjustments when focus is critical (when is it not, I guess).

2. Most importantly, at least from my initial impressions, the image is noticeably sharper. Quyen said he is using a few new components as well as the back focus adjustment all adds to the new sharper image.

3. Light loss. Not much to report yet because I haven't run tests, but according to Quyen, there is less light loss in the enhanced version due to dropping the internal prism for two more mirrors.

I really liked my LetusXL, but in regular communication with Quyen I always made it clear I would like a sharper image. I can deal with light loss, but a soft image often won't work. Now, although my impressions are initial, it seems like the new enhanced version is clearly sharper. If the new version holds up to my initial impressions, Quyen's product might just be the best deal possible for a mere $900. Also, the fact I don't have to put the adaptor on the end of my stock lens is a huge bonus.

Matthew Nayman · July 19th, 2006, 09:51 AM

Pics?

Post em!

Devon Lyon · July 19th, 2006, 09:55 AM

My goal is to go to the park tonight with a friend and shoot some footage at the rose garden. I will post shots either later tonight (Pacific Coast) or tomorrow. I can either sit at my computer or go shoot tests :)

Devon Lyon · July 19th, 2006, 06:12 PM

OK, a few screen grabs are up and two video clips will be up soon. My initial impressions were correct. The new version is a solid improvement. No question. There is almost no interior footage because I don't have the time for light setups.

Everything shot with a Canon XL2 at 16:9 and 30p and 1/60 shutter with the new LetusXL Flip Enhanced. I used a Canon FD 50mm f1.4 lens for all the shots.

My first two screen grabs I have at the correct 1.2 widescreen but there is some odd image banding that is not on the original footage, so I left the others at a square aspect ratio so the image remains unaltered. Just deal with the stretched look.

Quyen has a very good product here for only $900.

The pictures and video are at www.lyonfilms.com/letus.html

David Delaney · July 19th, 2006, 09:33 PM

Why, those are impressive. Very sharp and clear. Nice job.

Devon Lyon · July 19th, 2006, 10:57 PM

Not very cinematic, I admit...but for very quick tests I hope they begin to show what many have been asking: is the new LetusXL Enhanced any better. I believe it is.

Nick Outram · July 20th, 2006, 03:40 AM

Devon,

I was wondering what screen grabber you used -is it shareware?

The one I normally use does not seem to work on video output.

The images look good -no vignetting or anything.

Regards, Nick.

Devon Lyon · July 20th, 2006, 09:23 AM

For the screen shots I use Adobe Premier Pro 2.0 > File > Export > Frame as a .tiff. I then convert to Jpeg in Photoshop.

On the Enhanced Letus there is either no vignetting, or so little that I didn't detect it in my first tests.

Dain Valverde · August 10th, 2006, 04:10 PM

I'm selling my Letus35 Flip enhanced if anoyone is interested.

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=73369

July 19th, 2006, 09:38 AM	#1
Devon Lyon Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Oregon Posts: 213	LetusXL Flip Enhanced - Initial Impressions Yesterday I upgraded to the new LetusXL Flip Enhanced. I have only had time for a few quick tests and my INITIAL impressions are below. I promise to post stills and a few movies within the next two days. First, I also owned the LetusXL Flip, so I have a good sense of the differences between the two versions. 1. The new enhanced version is slightly bigger and longer. At the relay lens end there is both aperture AND back focus adjustment (which just rocks). I think this new feature will prove critical for on-the-fly adjustments when focus is critical (when is it not, I guess). 2. Most importantly, at least from my initial impressions, the image is noticeably sharper. Quyen said he is using a few new components as well as the back focus adjustment all adds to the new sharper image. 3. Light loss. Not much to report yet because I haven't run tests, but according to Quyen, there is less light loss in the enhanced version due to dropping the internal prism for two more mirrors. I really liked my LetusXL, but in regular communication with Quyen I always made it clear I would like a sharper image. I can deal with light loss, but a soft image often won't work. Now, although my impressions are initial, it seems like the new enhanced version is clearly sharper. If the new version holds up to my initial impressions, Quyen's product might just be the best deal possible for a mere $900. Also, the fact I don't have to put the adaptor on the end of my stock lens is a huge bonus. __________________ Lyon Films www.LyonFilms.com;

July 19th, 2006, 09:55 AM	#3
Devon Lyon Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Oregon Posts: 213	My goal is to go to the park tonight with a friend and shoot some footage at the rose garden. I will post shots either later tonight (Pacific Coast) or tomorrow. I can either sit at my computer or go shoot tests :) __________________ Lyon Films www.LyonFilms.com;

July 19th, 2006, 06:12 PM	#4
Devon Lyon Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Oregon Posts: 213	Pictures and movies OK, a few screen grabs are up and two video clips will be up soon. My initial impressions were correct. The new version is a solid improvement. No question. There is almost no interior footage because I don't have the time for light setups. Everything shot with a Canon XL2 at 16:9 and 30p and 1/60 shutter with the new LetusXL Flip Enhanced. I used a Canon FD 50mm f1.4 lens for all the shots. My first two screen grabs I have at the correct 1.2 widescreen but there is some odd image banding that is not on the original footage, so I left the others at a square aspect ratio so the image remains unaltered. Just deal with the stretched look. Quyen has a very good product here for only $900. The pictures and video are at www.lyonfilms.com/letus.html __________________ Lyon Films www.LyonFilms.com;

July 19th, 2006, 10:57 PM	#6
Devon Lyon Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Oregon Posts: 213	Not very cinematic, I admit...but for very quick tests I hope they begin to show what many have been asking: is the new LetusXL Enhanced any better. I believe it is. __________________ Lyon Films www.LyonFilms.com;

July 20th, 2006, 03:40 AM	#7
Nick Outram Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 90	ScreenGrabber? Devon, I was wondering what screen grabber you used -is it shareware? The one I normally use does not seem to work on video output. The images look good -no vignetting or anything. Regards, Nick.

July 19th, 2006, 09:51 AM	#2
Matthew Nayman Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Toronto Posts: 917	Pics? Post em!

July 19th, 2006, 09:33 PM	#5
David Delaney Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Niagara Ontario Canada Posts: 1,121	Why, those are impressive. Very sharp and clear. Nice job.

July 20th, 2006, 09:23 AM	#8
Devon Lyon Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Oregon Posts: 213	For the screen shots I use Adobe Premier Pro 2.0 > File > Export > Frame as a .tiff. I then convert to Jpeg in Photoshop. On the Enhanced Letus there is either no vignetting, or so little that I didn't detect it in my first tests. __________________ Lyon Films www.LyonFilms.com;

August 10th, 2006, 04:10 PM	#9
Dain Valverde New Boot Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Washington D.C. Posts: 12	Selling my Letus I'm selling my Letus35 Flip enhanced if anoyone is interested. http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=73369