More Letus Footage

[Steven Dempsey]

Used VIVIDRGB preset with the following modifications:
Color Gain: 0
HDF: Middle
Sharpness: 0

White balance was set to default daylight. Evening light, I let nature do its thing with the color of light. Not every shot is in sharp focus but most are. Cute model is my daughter. Applied a 2.35:1 matte. Shot using 24f. Only CC done was a levels adjustment.

Used the following Nikon lenses:
100mm 2.8
50mm 1.8
28mm 2.8

Rendered to a 720p file. File size is about 112mb or so, enjoy:

http://www.pinelakefilms.com/XHA1/letus_tara_720.wmv

[John Hudson]

Damn Steven

You are a true artist. The way you see the world through your lens is inspiring. You were ready for prime time a long time ago; I'd hire you as my DP in a second !

My favorite shot was of your little girl sitting and the horizon in soft focus reflected back at us off of the glass door.

-

Please do more narrative work; you have the gift !

[Evan C. King]

The A1 and letus flip really looks like a dyamite combo! Do you use any rails with yours and a follow focus or anything?

Every image you take it crazy nice because you've got that eye.... The Eye of The TIGERRRRRRRRR!

[Steven Dempsey]

Thanks for the comments.

I do not use rails and no follow focus. It doesn't make sense for me because I got the Letus based on how easy it is to just screw on and you are good to go.

Using an external monitor for critical focus, however, is a must for me. I use this Marshall monitor: http://www.lcdracks.com/monitors/vr70phda.html

[Chris Barcellos]

Originally Posted by Steven Dempsey

Thanks for the comments.

I do not use rails and no follow focus. It doesn't make sense for me because I got the Letus based on how easy it is to just screw on and you are good to go.

Using an external monitor for critical focus, however, is a must for me. I use this Marshall monitor: http://www.lcdracks.com/monitors/vr70phda.html

Steven:

How does the Marshall do in daylight outdoors. Do you have to "hood" it ?

[Steven Dempsey]

I could benefit greatly from using a hood but I am stony broke right now so my cupped hands are doing a great job :)

[Jeff Nelson]

Very sweet looking kid, very natural. Nice, Steven.

[Adam La Prade]

I've been looking more and more into buying a 35mm adapter for my camera. These are the type of clips that convince me.

If you don't mind, how much did you spend on your Letus setup? I need to do a ton of more research before I understand how to use one properly, however...

Beautiful footage!

[Bo Smith]

Your kids are gonna have the most cinematic childhood memories ever.

[Nathan Quattrini]

the shots with her in focus (waist up) and the background out of focus, the background is grainy, is that a low light issue with the camera? I`m looking into getting one but I need to understand its light limits etc, especially since i`ll be filming in the woods alot....also...whats letus?

[Doug Davis]

Originally Posted by Nathan Quattrini

the shots with her in focus (waist up) and the background out of focus, the background is grainy, is that a low light issue with the camera? I`m looking into getting one but I need to understand its light limits etc, especially since i`ll be filming in the woods alot....also...whats letus?

http://www.letus35.com/
http://dvxuser.com/articles/35/

[Steven Dempsey]

Thanks for posting those links Doug. I will, however, voice my opinion that I don't believe this particular test did the Letus justice at all. I don't know if it was the testers or the unit itself but the examples are of a very low quality and do not do the adapter justice. What I have shown in this thread is what its capable of.

The shots you mentioned were at the very end of the day as the light was failing. The camera by itself has very good low light performance.

[Chris Barcellos]

Originally Posted by Nathan Quattrini

the shots with her in focus (waist up) and the background out of focus, the background is grainy, is that a low light issue with the camera? I`m looking into getting one but I need to understand its light limits etc, especially since i`ll be filming in the woods alot....also...whats letus?

First thing I think we have to understand is that to make the images Steven is making in his posts, you have to take your time and painstakingly set things up. Steven is a master at using a camera, and I look for his posts of films all the time so I can learn what he is doing. I believe he could make a spectactular film with my Panny GS 120 with nothing else attached. The Letus is just one more tool there.

Second, I have had the non flip version of the Letus for about 2 weeks now, after having built my own 35mm adapter using Redrocks design before. Its capabilities were limited by my tech skills. In my case, I'm shooting with an FX1 or the new Canon HV20. Of course at the same time I added Nikon lenses over the Pentax I was using on the DIY adapter, but my experience has been nothing but positive with the Letus. The ease of screwing on the adapter is fantastic. With the HV20 I actually developed a mount to the tripod leaving the Camera upside down, which ends up with a right side up image in post. The image is great.

This is one of the first test shots I did with the Letus, and it shows the promise of using the Letus.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=Y2763PSV

Low light issue. Most of the adapter have these issues. After all, you are taking an image of a ground glass. If it is critical to you, then you would likely be better of with the Letus35a, without the flip. My understanding is it can make a stop or stop and a half difference. I don't know if Steven agrees with that.

The other adapter you may want to look at is the Brevis from Cinevate. Its a bit more expensive, but there line includes add ons for specific filming situation, and I understand Dennis is coming out with a flip there too.

[John Hudson]

This is one of the first test shots I did with the Letus, and it shows the promise of using the Letus...

Hey ! You don't post your own work in someone else's thread. > = I

Originally Posted by Nathan Quattrini

the shots with her in focus (waist up) and the background out of focus, the background is grainy, is that a low light issue with the camera? I`m looking into getting one but I need to understand its light limits etc, especially since i`ll be filming in the woods alot....also...whats letus?

I can't exactly see the noise/grain you specifcally are referring to but I often wonder why people focus (pun) so hard on this non-issue ?

Grain and noise are inherent to the medium. From digital to film, it is a part of the image either through feedback or organic chemical. Most noise issues can be solved with simply avoiding LOW LIGHT SITUATIONS or adding light to the subject.

- And remember, any low-light issues one may have concern for will be enhanced with the use of an adapter.

[Chris Barcellos]

My apologies for this impropriety. I took this to be discussion of the benefits of the letus, not a show your work thread....my apologies. .. It won't happen again.