I will be shooting stuff with the brevis over next two days. My problem is the ex1 monitor is so sharp you hardly need a monitor. But my brevis doesn't have the flip

thanks raymond. Drop me an email and I will let you know what u need


Hi Phil, you know your going to get lots of interest here on this...

you might as well put a shoping list on your blog... for the rest of us :-)

did you get to check out the samples of tilt and shift pics that I added to
my original post ???

Great footage Phil, I am interested as Raymond is, into buying the letus extreme too an d I would appreciate your feedback as well. Hope this isn't much of a hassle to you so I will email you and if you could forward me the details about the equipment required for this setup I would greatly appreciate it.

Good call Ray! Phil, a shopping list for Letus and EX1 with Pics would be awsome on the blog when you have time... :)

great.. looking forward to the brevis footage. BTW, u r using FCP rite?

Hi. Great camera work there! Lovely footage.

What Do you think about the Letus Extreme compared to the XL (which I use) or HD100?
You don't have any pic's on the camera set up, EX1 and the Letus Extreme? What is the weight?

I was on the fence about which adapter, Brevis, or Letus, Called the Brevis folks and asked them when their flip would be available for shipping they stated in 2 weeks. I was going by Phil's 35mm shootout report ( well worth the read @ http://www.philipbloom.net/ note that the Letus is not included in the report) and thought the Brevis would offer a quick setup over the Letus, I have read the Letus attachment to the camera and adjustment screws is a bit awkward over @ http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/forumdisplay.php?f=113 also see the letus forum @ http://www.letusdirect.com/forum/ for more info about this. You have to give the Letus folks credit they were the first out with a Flip version. I am interested in Phil's report on the Brevis with the EX1 as he previously reported edge to edge sharpness issues with the HVX 200 which seems to be problematic with that camera with various users.

I placed a order with Brevis with the flip, and a XDCAM EX1 as well.
The EX1 is my replacement for the HVX200, (just following Phil's lead and agree with him). The 35mm adapters is a evolving technology in the DOF equation, and I am sure it will not be my last adapter, last camera, last computer as well along with the P&S mini I currently use. The equipment weight and travel leaves us looking for solutions that make it easier to capture images of high quality without the burden of heavy bulky equipment. My situation is I am a one person operation, lots of travel with the company I work for and the HVX200 was a solution for portability for travel in Europe and fit the clients needs for shooting and editing on location. Otherwise in the states, I use the XDCAM for production. I was dreaming that Sony would come out with a mini -XD camera system, (not liking all that data management with the cards). I guess it was, still is a dream.

Glad to hear Phil does not need a extra monitor and he was able to shoot in downtown London and hold focus with the EX1 lcd's monitor. Shooting with any of these adapters is really a challenge to keep focus never mind manage it . The DOF adapters can be a blessing and a curse, and Phil has demonstrated both slides.

Keep up the great work Phil!

I wanted to update my blog, but forgot to put ilife 08 on this macbook pro so until i get home on Wednesday I can't. But I will write about all the ups and downs.

In the meantime here are some screen grabs from today. All untouched from the camera and with no adaptor

last few grabs

great.. looking forward to the brevis footage. BTW, u r using FCP rite?

yep fcp. Brevis will have to wait. I need a lot of spacers between the achromat and the adaptor. Dont have enought. Same problem i had with my F350. Letus doesnt have same problem and Brevis probably wont when it gets the flip. the optical path is way longer which is needed. The half inch chips make it harder to focus so close.

But my brevis doesn't have the flip


On the Z1 you can flip the LCD image using a magnet on the hinge of the LCD. I presume the same on the EX. Of course that is then a mirror image, but at least right way up.

Hi Serena, it's not actually about flipping the image, it's about increasing the length of the optical path so the ex1 can focus in on the screen. it currently can't unless you have a lot of spacers, which I dont have enough of with me. Annoying as I have a massive Peli case with all my lenses, two brevis adaptors, marshall monitor and it's all useless!!

Oh...and the magnet trick doesn't work on the EX1

Hi Phil, you know your going to get lots of interest here on this...

you might as well put a shoping list on your blog... for the rest of us :-)

did you get to check out the samples of tilt and shift pics that I added to
my original post ???

yeah. Can't wait for my hartblei. looks awesome!

so what do people want to know for this "shopping list"

Hi. Great camera work there! Lovely footage.

What Do you think about the Letus Extreme compared to the XL (which I use) or HD100?
You don't have any pic's on the camera set up, EX1 and the Letus Extreme? What is the weight?

do you mean the ex1 compare to the xl or hd100? I have used neither of these camera. I do have an hd 201 which i think is lovely. Both those cameras really need a relay to work with the the letus as they will be stupidly front heavy!!!

Hope this isn't much of a hassle to you so I will email you and if you could forward me the details about the equipment required for this setup...Please, the idea behind this site is to engage in *public* discussions so that *everyone* may benefit -- please do not be selfish and ask for private replies by email -- instead please post and reply here in *public* for the benefit of *everybody* who is interested in this. Many thanks in advance.

"I have a 720p version that I have uploaded to the Dvi ftp server but just waiting on Chris Hurd to link it." Now - that I want to see! Where will we be able to find it once it´s linked?Sorry for the delay. That link is http://www.dvinfo.net/media/sony/ex1_letus_720p.mp4 -- hope this helps,

Philip,
Thanks for your great work and for posting so much info.
I've looked at the Ex-1 and was extremely impressed, but the one I looked at had the vignetting problem . This would be a non-issue on an adapter but I am concerned about pans along sky or flat surfaces so i am waiting to see what Sony does.

Couple of questions-

1. Does your camera have the vignette and does it bother you?

2. I bought a Letus (also have a Brevis and an SGPro Rev2) and the image on my HVX is pretty well offset to the right so you have to zoom in more than I would like. This is likely an HVX issue , but I don't have it so bad on other adapters.
How centered is it on your Letus on the EX?

3. One thing that bugged me on the EX was that there were not 2 presets for 3200 and 5600. Is there some solution to this?

All I could find was to quickly go into the menus when I wanted to switch the preset color temp but it was a drag. On the other hand it gave me total freedom to make that preset anything I wanted which could be very powerful.

yep fcp. Brevis will have to wait. I need a lot of spacers between the achromat and the adaptor. Dont have enought. Same problem i had with my F350. Letus doesnt have same problem and Brevis probably wont when it gets the flip. the optical path is way longer which is needed. The half inch chips make it harder to focus so close.

Thaz correct. My FX1 doesnt work well without spacers too and brevis folks have commented the flip module would solve this issue. Would be interesting to see the Letus EX and Brevis Flip trash it out with the EX1. Kudos to Phil for the great job here!

do you mean the ex1 compare to the xl or hd100? I have used neither of these camera. I do have an hd 201 which i think is lovely. Both those cameras really need a relay to work with the the letus as they will be stupidly front heavy!!!

Sorry, maybe I was indistinct. I meant if you had any comments on the LetusExtreme adapter, compared to the LetusXL adapter (or LetusHD100).

If you look at this shoot of the woman at the table
http://dvinfo.net/conf/attachment.php?attachmentid=5308&d=1196638250
The upper left of the frame grab looks like the vignette issue to me.


Does your camera have the vignette and does it bother you?

If you look at this shoot of the woman at the table
http://dvinfo.net/conf/attachment.php?attachmentid=5308&d=1196638250
The upper left of the frame grab looks like the vignette issue to me.

It shure is!

It IS indeed; what's the still origin?

Also, judging from the noticeable barrel distorsion, it looks like a wide angle converter was used; can the author comment on this?

Phil Bloom posted it in this thread
http://dvinfo.net/conf/showpost.php?p=786019&postcount=57

Phil any thoughts on this?

It IS indeed; what's the still origin?

Also, judging from the noticeable barrel distorsion, it looks like a wide angle converter was used; can the author comment on this?

Thanks; I must have overlooked this:)

Frankly, the uppermost left image also seems to exhibit the vignetting in the upper left corner.

My worst premonitions I had when Paul first posted about the vignetting issue - that it probably is inherent, and affects all cameras - is becoming true... Holy s...t!

I don't want to turn this into a 2nd vignette thread so I'll continue discussion there.

yeah, keep it in the vignette area.

It actually isn't a vignette. As I have the rushes and I know the lighting, It is a "lighting vignette" if you want. The spread of the light fell off there. It was at full wide with no wide angle adaptor.

Although I have since come across it using OIS at a certain focal length.

My website is down due to too much traffic but you can see the "Piccadilly Furs" short here: http://www.aerialsfilm.com/bloom/ex1%20letus%20720p.mp4

With Philip's prior permission, here's another mirror of the clip (http://www.freshdv.com/2007/12/ex1-35mm-gorgeous.html).
It is indeed very striking work.

Edit: DOH. Mirror linkage fixed. My bad...

Phillip, aside from his obvious talent, has proven that all the over analysis is really meaningless when you see what can be achieved with this camera in the right hands.

his footage is really beautiful. pretty simple.

vince

Phil,

Like all the others, I've watched every single clip and still of yours - simply marvellous job. The camera you've used I will hopefully have soon, but the skills you have? - probably never. Congratualtions!

Thanks guys.

my blog is updated and includes a link to the first edited short shot on the EX1 clean, with no adaptor. It's only 700x400 at the moment. I don't want to abuse Maxim's generous offer of hosting.

It's a very sweet piece about a protestant family on the Scottish Isle of Mull to run on Channel 5 on Christmas Eve.

Phil,
You probably know this, but .mac has turned off the spigot on your site. too much of a good thing. ;-)

spigot as in plug? It is working again... www.philipbloom.net only problem is when I moved servers I lost all my blog comments!

Sorry, might be an American term:

spigot |ˈspigət|
noun
1 a small peg or plug, esp. for insertion into the vent of a cask.
2 a faucet.
• a device for controlling the flow of liquid in a faucet.
3 the plain end of a section of a pipe fitting into the socket of the next one.
ORIGIN Middle English : perhaps an alteration of Provençal espigou(n), from Latin spiculum, diminutive of spicum, variant of spica (see spica ).

I loved the new interview stuff. For me, this thread has become more about your talent, then the cameras ability to capture an image. A lot of the time people on filmmaking forums get lost in the numbers, not the content. Great job Philip!

Richard

all those plumbers terms. I knew I was in the wrong profession!

I loved the new interview stuff. For me, this thread has become more about your talent, then the cameras ability to capture an image. A lot of the time people on filmmaking forums get lost in the numbers, not the content. Great job Philip!

Richard

Very kind Richard, I see you have an HVX and EX1. How you finding the comparison?

I LOVED using my ex1 on this job. My producer was somewhat concerned over the lack of tapes or discs and she really was worried when I couldn't get an interview onto the mac that was split across two cards (still not worked out what is going on but found a way to grab it, would love to find out exactly what I am supposed to do) but she was loving the very light tripod!

I always have found without a 35mm adaptor using a smaller camera is a compromise in picture/ optics quality. For the first time I would happily use this small camera instead of a full size one. I still prefer the form factor and flexibility of my F350 but this little beauty performs stunningly. Ignore all the Long GOP and vignette fears. At the end of the day this camera produces stunning images.

Phil,
Interview looks great, as usual. Always a pleasure to view your footy. I guess I'm a real sucker for controlled DOF, though. I couldn't help wishing you had lugged the Letus and a few choice lenses so that you could have selectively focused my attention on the subjects.

Phil I just watched your "protestants whole sd.mp4"
You are a "true" artist my friend.
The EX1 looks unreal!

Then again, I bet you could take a $200 DV camera and produce nice stuff! LOL

Phil,
Interview looks great, as usual. Always a pleasure to view your footy. I guess I'm a real sucker for controlled DOF, though. I couldn't help wishing you had lugged the Letus and a few choice lenses so that you could have selectively focused my attention on the subjects.

I was planning on bringing it but I broke it after the Piccadilly Furs shoot, Hien sent me a replacement that same day but due to the weekend being what it is I didn't get it in time, close but not quite.

It gave me a nice chance to shoot with the EX1 clean for a change anyway. I shot the 4th short on Thursday back in London with a Jewish family. I used the extreme for some shots and the interviews. It looked amazing and added so much!

Oh and thanks again Steven!

Love your stuff, Phil, thanks for sharing.

To help fill the wait for the arrival of my EX1, I'd be interested to hear the process you're following from EX1 to broadcast - what format and resolution is the master you deliver to TV stations?

Thanks,

Fortunately as the broadaster takes XDCAM discs so I downconvert to SD and deliver it on that. Otherwise I would have to put it onto DVCAM or hire a digi deck.

Phil - for us in the UK, do you have the broadcast dates and times?

Cheers, Nick

hi Nick

I am still awaiting the schedule from Channel 5. But the first one goes out on Christmas eve then every day until Friday. I understand Sky News are taking them too to run on the same days.

There is a link to an HD version now too.

OK.

These are my main lenses.

16mm Zenitar f2.8
18mm Signma f1.8
28mm Nikon F2
35 Nikon F1.4
50mm Zeiss f1.4 and Zeiss Macro T2 and Nikon 50mm F1.4
85mm Zeiss f1.4
105 Nikon f2 DC
135 Vivitar f2.3
180 Nikon F2.8
I also have one Sigma zoom which I think is 28-70mm f2.8
Two f2.8 swing tilt lenses. One 50mm, one 85mm

I use the Letus support bracket on a set up mish mash rods that I am still perfecting.

The most solid I have come across are the Cinevate camera base and rod support. I actually use the carbon fibre rods from Cavision. Cavision supports are pretty good and very customisable. I did use my old Redrock one for a bit but it is SOOO heavy.

I used a Marshall 7" monitor when I need external focusing. Helpful but no longer essential with my ex1 and it's amazing LCD screen. But it is still easier to focus using an external monitor. The resolution on the screen can by a 100 billion pixels but it's still small and size is everything!

I sometimes use my redrock follow focus but this is quite rare. I am a fast worker. Constantly changing tools, constantly changing lenses and having a follow focus slows me down. What i do have is the gears on most of my lenses. It helps me to rack focus so much easier.

My tripod is a Miller DS20 solo. i CANNOT rave about this enough. It is a super tripod. It is lightweight but solid. It can go as low as my low boy manfrotto tripod and very high. it has a superb head that can take the weight of a fully laden down 35mm ex1 combo and monitor. It is also super smooth.

I have a few different radio mics. 2 Sennheiser evolution lavalier but not sure of the model number. They are affordable and good quality. I also have recently bought audio technica's dual receiver lavalier system which is great for my larger cameras as it powers off of the 12v camera output. The receiver is a little big for the smaller cameras but it works so well.

I have a wally dolly which is for me the best dolly I have used for the price. So smooth. easy to set up, doesn't need perfect surfaces and is cheap. Oh and it doesn't need a grip!

My main light is a rifa 55 500w soft box with a 45 degree egg crate diffuser. A superb soft key light and it goes everwhere with me. I also have 2 dedo 150 lights which I use for backlights etc. I have a projector and gobos for them. I have redheads and otherlights but rarely use them. I often try to make use of as much natural light as possible. For example if you look at my Anorexia section most of the interviews in parts 1-3 are with available light.

I have three matteboxes. I cheap Indian one which is fine. A cavision one, which keeps falling apart and a lovely Chrosziel one that lives on my DSR 450. I recommend buying the best you can afford as I didn't to start with and just bought cheap. They fell apart quickly. I have formatt and Tiffen 4x4 filters.

I think that's the bulk of my daily kit and set up.

How would you compare Nikon 50 mm F1.4 to Zeiss 50mm F1.4
Wonder if you ever tried Zeiss 85mm 1.4?
Regards.

How would you compare Nikon 50 mm F1.4 to Zeiss 50mm F1.4
Wonder if you ever tried Zeiss 85mm 1.4?
Regards.

The Zeiss 85mm is on there. I prefer the Zeiss 50mm to be honest!

Is it true that Zeiss has more color contrast, in 50 mm?
In regards to 85mm I meant if you ever compared it to Nikon 85 mm 1.4

I would agree with that. I sold my Nikon 85mm when I got the Zeiss lens. Even though they aren't true German made lenses I think they are superb and easily the best lenses in my kit.

Thanks a lot, look forward to get 85mm and 50 mm Zeiss lens, just ordered Letus adapter.
Was it your idea to do homeless people stories? I was inspired by that, when I have some time want to do similar in Moscow, we also have lots of homeless dogs.

Hi Phil,

Please tell me how big is in Megabaits ( or GB-s) Your Piccadilly Furs clip which runs on Your website?
I like it very much! Thanks for sharing!

Have a nice weekend!

Sulev

Hi Sulev,

I think it is about 35mb

Here is an update version of my Protestant short with magic bullet grading. It looks a lot more 35mm adaptor a like now even though it was shot with the ex1 clean. I will also post a link to my first short on a Buddhist family in the UK for comparison. It was shot on the XDCAM HD F350. One camera cost £20,000 including lens then other cost £4200.

http://aerialsfilm.com/bloom/protestantsnewgradesd.mp4 NEW GRADE 700x400

http://aerialsfilm.com/bloom/protestantsnewgrade720.mp4 NEW GRADE 1280x720

http://aerialsfilm.com/bloom/buddhism%20sd.mp4 F350 Short 700 x 400