Rod system necessary? at DVinfo.net

Giovanni Speranza · March 29th, 2007, 03:34 AM

I'm wondering how can a rod system help to hold the letus and a lens.
The rod systems are not so rigid as i thought (at least the one i tried by a friend) so a simple tilt movement can bend the rods and if it's hard attached to the lens can be the cause of damages.
Or if the rod just holds the lens from the bottom, i don't see the advantages. It will just move up and down depending on the camera tilt, and again can be useless or even dangerous.
Or am i missing something?
Thanks

Ben Winter · March 29th, 2007, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Giovanni Speranza

I'm wondering how can a rod system help to hold the letus and a lens.
The rod systems are not so rigid as i thought (at least the one i tried by a friend) so a simple tilt movement can bend the rods and if it's hard attached to the lens can be the cause of damages.

Good lord, what rod system did your friend have?! Any half-decent pair of rods is made of carbon fiber or aluminum and stays completely rigid throughout all range or speed of movement. If your friend's rods bend like you describe, he is way overdue for a reinvestment.

Cavision makes a solid rod system that I used with my letus for a long while. You may want to check them out.

www.cavision.com
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

Giovanni Speranza · March 29th, 2007, 09:26 AM

It was the rod system supplied with his M2. The rods were aluminium, empty....
This Cavision ros system captured me!

But would you recommend to use a rod system or the Letus35 fe + a Nikon Nikkor zoom (all metal) can be safe without a rod system?

And can that cavision rod support system be fixed to a tripod with the normal screw?

Thanks!

Ram Shani · March 29th, 2007, 10:15 AM

yes rod support is highly recommend

it will hold steady the adaptor and relief the tension on the screw to the lens

is you can put it on any tripod

i recommend you get 50mm lens with at list f/1.4

with the zoom and its f/stop opening you will need a LOT of light indoor

for me the best combination is

letus35fe and Sony v-1

i try z-1 dvx100 hvx200

Ben Winter · March 29th, 2007, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Giovanni Speranza

It was the rod system supplied with his M2. The rods were aluminium, empty....
This Cavision ros system captured me!

But would you recommend to use a rod system or the Letus35 fe + a Nikon Nikkor zoom (all metal) can be safe without a rod system?

And can that cavision rod support system be fixed to a tripod with the normal screw?

Thanks!

I can't comment on using or not using rod support with the Letus35 fe, I haven't used it, however I can pretty much guarantee that using a zoom lens with an adapter without rod support is a very bad idea.

The cavision rod support accepts the normal 1/4" or 3/8" screw from any standard tripod.

Cary Lee · March 30th, 2007, 01:00 AM

If you have to go rods then Cavison has a set..but it is best to get any special order accessories directly from Cavision vs purveyors like BH photo. Which are slower than direct shipment.

Giovanni Speranza · March 30th, 2007, 04:50 AM

Thanks to all for your very precious suggestions.
I ordered the Cavision rod support.
And by the way i will each month buy a different prime lenses to cover the 18-500 mm range

Mack Fisher · March 31st, 2007, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ram Shani

yes rod support is highly recommend

it will hold steady the adaptor and relief the tension on the screw to the lens

is you can put it on any tripod

i recommend you get 50mm lens with at list f/1.4

with the zoom and its f/stop opening you will need a LOT of light indoor

for me the best combination is

letus35fe and Sony v-1

i try z-1 dvx100 hvx200

I wouldnt touch a 1.4 lense, yes its very fast but I think if Im having trouble picking between focusing on the actors nose or eyelash I blew the shot. I shoot tons at f2 and sometimes dip to 1.8 any wider and the DOF just gets to be too much in my opinion

Giovanni Speranza · April 2nd, 2007, 07:29 AM

I agree. Maybe the advantage of having a 1.4 lens is that you may (and have to) close it a pair of stops, giving the sensation of a more focused image, especially those shooted with wide angle lenses.

Yang Wen · October 17th, 2007, 11:20 AM

Don't you need a piece to attach the Letus onto the rod? I checked the Adapter Place and they don't sell any accessories for attaching to rods..

March 29th, 2007, 03:34 AM	#1
Giovanni Speranza Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Lugano, Switzerland Posts: 149	Rod system necessary? I'm wondering how can a rod system help to hold the letus and a lens. The rod systems are not so rigid as i thought (at least the one i tried by a friend) so a simple tilt movement can bend the rods and if it's hard attached to the lens can be the cause of damages. Or if the rod just holds the lens from the bottom, i don't see the advantages. It will just move up and down depending on the camera tilt, and again can be useless or even dangerous. Or am i missing something? Thanks

March 29th, 2007, 09:26 AM	#3
Giovanni Speranza Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Lugano, Switzerland Posts: 149	It was the rod system supplied with his M2. The rods were aluminium, empty.... This Cavision ros system captured me! But would you recommend to use a rod system or the Letus35 fe + a Nikon Nikkor zoom (all metal) can be safe without a rod system? And can that cavision rod support system be fixed to a tripod with the normal screw? Thanks!

March 29th, 2007, 10:15 AM	#4
Ram Shani Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: tel aviv israel Posts: 107	yes rod support is highly recommend it will hold steady the adaptor and relief the tension on the screw to the lens is you can put it on any tripod i recommend you get 50mm lens with at list f/1.4 with the zoom and its f/stop opening you will need a LOT of light indoor for me the best combination is letus35fe and Sony v-1 i try z-1 dvx100 hvx200

March 30th, 2007, 01:00 AM	#6
Cary Lee Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hollywood USA Posts: 128	If you have to go rods then Cavison has a set..but it is best to get any special order accessories directly from Cavision vs purveyors like BH photo. Which are slower than direct shipment.

March 30th, 2007, 04:50 AM	#7
Giovanni Speranza Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Lugano, Switzerland Posts: 149	Thanks to all for your very precious suggestions. I ordered the Cavision rod support. And by the way i will each month buy a different prime lenses to cover the 18-500 mm range

April 2nd, 2007, 07:29 AM	#9
Giovanni Speranza Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Lugano, Switzerland Posts: 149	I agree. Maybe the advantage of having a 1.4 lens is that you may (and have to) close it a pair of stops, giving the sensation of a more focused image, especially those shooted with wide angle lenses.

October 17th, 2007, 11:20 AM	#10
Yang Wen Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 991	Don't you need a piece to attach the Letus onto the rod? I checked the Adapter Place and they don't sell any accessories for attaching to rods..