I have managed to get a pic of it, looks great. You can see it on my blog post about the B4 adaptors here: Philip Bloom Blog Archive The Letus Relays are almost upon us! Updated with picture of EX3 Relay (http://philipbloom.co.uk/2009/01/28/the-letus-relays-are-almost-upon-us-2/)

Phil, it looks great. Any idea on price for the EX3 version yet? also have Letus made any provision for a remote control of the EX, Canon or Fujinon variety? without it there is only a proprietary Sony remote socket on the EX-3 right? that would make handheld shooting a little tricky.

Dan

Do you know if a XL version is planned?

i think so...

Do they have a timeframe?

I think I read on Phil Bloom's site that by using the realy lens on the EX3 you would gain TWO STOPS in light sensitivity. I do not understand this. The stock lens is 1.8, the relay lens is 1.5. So the light gain, in my reasoning would be small: only about 1/2 a stop.
Is my reasoning correct?

if they come out with an xl version, we'd lose the nd filter. I just realized the the nd's on the ex are on the camera, while on my XLH1, it's on the lenses. Without nd filters, it's impossible to shoot outdoors, especially in South florida sun. Any work around for this?
bruce yarock
Yarock Video and Photo (http://www.yarockvideo.com)

You can always add ND filters to the front of any lens. There are two ways to do this:

1. Use round screw-on filters that thread directly onto the front of the lens.

2. Use square drop-in filters that slip into a matte box which is attached to the camera either by rails (this is most common with a relay anyway) or by clamping onto the front of the lens.

Hope this helps,

thanks, Chris.
I guess I'd have to use one of those options. I have several different size lenses, so that would be a pain. I have rails for the letus Extreme, so maybe a mattbox would be easier.
But since the XL relay isn't available yet, and I don't have the $$ yet, it's all hypothetical.

Another thing that concerns me ( and forgive me from detouring the thread) is whether or not it would be worth investing another several thousand dollars into a relay for the XL. Right now I'm shooting with an H1, A1 and HV30, using the Letus primarily on the H1.
Any future thoughts?
Bruce Yarock
Yarock Video and Photo (http://www.yarockvideo.com)

Has anyone besides Philip purchased one of these yet?

The fact that you loose the ND filters is an issue. But I'd love to gain 2-stops.

I wonder how Philip is dealing with the lost of the ND filters? I don't remember seeing him use matte box very much.

i only have pre-production model.

Also, why would you lose ND filters? they are on the camera, not the stock lens.

That's great news! (I'm at home, my camera is at work, so I was just taking Bruce's word for it)

So what does he mean when he says "XL version"?

I'm looking for a relay that adds the least amount of multiplication to my 35mm lenses (my 17-35, stays a 17-35mm). I've heard this relay has Academy Framing, so I'm trying to decide whether to wait for a Full-Frame version or just buy this one with the hopes of a "trade-in" down the road.

Any advice?

he is talking about the Canon XL version as the ND filters are on the lens.

Can't imagine any trade in down the line...

About the ND filters... If Letus comes out with a relay lens for the XL cameras, you will be able to stop down the IRIS on the relay lens no? So the ND filters aren't that much required. Am I missing something?

Jean.


I have not had my dirty hands on an EX3 relay. My understanding is that it will be similar to the two B4 relays.

These have a focus control and aperture (iris) control so I expect the EX3 relay and a future XL relay to have aperture control too. It would be rather useless without it.

The challenge with relay lenses is make them with no distinct sweet spot like many camera lenses but consistently sharp through the entire usable aperture range.

P+S Technik referred to the aperture (iris) control on their relay lenses as "variable ND filter".