I am working on the final stage of flipping the image on letus35 adapters. Below is the image of my prototype unit. Initial tests shows very good results. It improves color aberration, distortions and vignetting a lot. It's heavier than the letus35/35A but still can be used without support rods if you choose to. I am not 100% satisfy to release it just yet but hope to have it available to the public in 1 week. I am seeking testers now. If you are interested, email me. Thanks.
http://www.letus35.com/flip.JPG

Quyen

Excellent work, Quyen. Much smaller then i imagined.

Would love to see some frame grabs to judge image quality.

Well Done!!!

I'd love one!

Sign me up!!

Looks good Quyen.

Will you be adding a neutral density filter slot?

There's probably a few people wo may have old Bolexs who can use the gel holders out of their cameras or make their own according to the Bolex design or this might be something you can add to the Letus (E) kit.

Bob Hart

What will the neutral density filter slot do in this setup? you can always open/close the camera's iris to limit light to the CCD. Please explain, thanks.

Quyen

Will this work with the Sony FX1

I am interested seeing what kind of results can be obtained with it

C Barcellos

very interesting. Quyen you have new mail

Yestarday I do some test with letus, oh guys in sunlight the image is excellent. Grain=0, ok ther's a lightloss but in good light conditions is not a problem.

I would like to see some frame grabe comparison: "letus35a" normal and "letus35a flipped" so it's became easy to understand wich is the difference...

bye

I believe this unit will work with all cameras. I also develope an addon unit for existing Letus users. Just need to drill 2 holes about 1/4 inch deep and put screws on. Thanks.

Quyen

stand by for news...

So do I....

How much for the add on? WOW this is great news.......

ok ther's an add on, but other lenses in my opinion could result in light loss and definition loss... usually it could be better use less lenses as possible...or not?
Which is your opinion?

I'll definitely pick this up. Let us (LETUS) know when it is available.

I just have to point out that Quyen is developing new products while filling constant orders and dealing with customer service promptly. Not bad.

I have a question. Since the image inverter moves the lens over a bit, what side will it go? To the right? That's what it looks like in the picture. I am building a rod support system, so I would like to keep this new development in mind.

The top and bottom part is vertically align, just 1.2" away, thanks.

Quyen

Will there be a rod support system available for this new adaptor?
It sure looks nice...
Jimi :)

Quyen

The neutral density filter enables light in to be controlled without closing the iris on the front lens. It would be placed between the SLR camera lens and the gg. It makes it easier to control light without losing the creative depth of field effect of having the front lens aperture wide open.

Image path in my arrangement is :-

SLR lens >> Neutral density filter >> GG >> prism erector >> Achromatic dioptre >> camera.

Also, I chose to have the prism offset, down and to the left of the camera lens centre axis of the PD150. This places the centre of mass lower and makes it easier to use handheld. It also puts the noisy bits away from the camera mike if I use it.

Quyen

The neutral density filter enables light in to be controlled without closing the iris on the front lens. It would be placed between the SLR camera lens and the gg. It makes it easier to control light without losing the creative depth of field effect of having the front lens aperture wide open.



Bob,
I think Quyen meant controlling the light using the camcorders iris, which would not affect the DOF effect.

Many camcorders, as my 170, has built in Nd filter, so for example I can use it. I did some test in very bright location and I found 2 way:

1) if you want low DOF then you close the iris or use camera built in ND

2)if you want high DOF the you close the SLR iris.

Ok are not a huge discovery, but it could be useful to someone...

Bob,
I think Quyen meant controlling the light using the camcorders iris, which would not affect the DOF effect.


only problem is that if it's too bright (eg in a bright sunny day) then the image being projected on the GG could be blown out...

True,
Infact i think the P+S mini35 has its own iris, must be for the same purpose.

Looks nice Quyen. How much for this one?
I also remember you talking about an adapter with a relay lens for the HD100 and a HD adapter somewhere in the boards or in your site. When will those be ready?

Quyen,
I sent you an email.
The adapter looks to be very cool...any estimate on what this one will go for?

Wow!! =)

It seems you are a friggin' genius! :D

Can't wait to see your progression =)

Regards,

Andreas Rylander

Bob,
I think Quyen meant controlling the light using the camcorders iris, which would not affect the DOF effect.

www.flmpro.com/samples/001.avi

It seems to on this sample.

www.flmpro.com/samples/001.avi

It seems to on this sample.

Kyle, It looks as though the SLR aperture is being closed and opened, not the camcorders (or looking carefully, maybe a mixture of both), but the changing DOF you see is due to the aperture of the SLR lens, not the camcorders iris.

EDIT: On closer inspection of the clip, i think this is whats happening:

The SLR aperture closes, widening the DOF....then the camcorders iris is opened to make the image brighter, no change in DOF. The cam's iris is then closed again, no change in DOF....then the SLR aperture is opened again, shortening the DOF.

www.flmpro.com/samples/001.avi

It seems to on this sample.



Link aiin't working for me ..

Kyle, It looks as though the SLR aperture is being closed and opened, not the camcorders (or looking carefully, maybe a mixture of both), but the changing DOF you see is due to the aperture of the SLR lens, not the camcorders iris.

EDIT: On closer inspection of the clip, i think this is whats happening:

The SLR aperture closes, widening the DOF....then the camcorders iris is opened to make the image brighter, no change in DOF. The cam's iris is then closed again, no change in DOF....then the SLR aperture is opened again, shortening the DOF.

I assure you it's the camcorder's iris being opened and closed.

I am start shipping this unit. $600 for the final price. Betatesters should email me for price and instructions, below is the first video of the first unit sending out. Just a test video to show the unit's work. No special lighting. Thanks.

Quyen

http://hadleymedia.com/35mm.mov

To be shot in poor avable light, it looks really very good.

How much do you zoom in the GG/prism to fit the frame ?

This is not my own video. I got it from my customer. I believe this is 24x36 frame, thanks.

Quyen

great job Quyen, how much for the "add-on" for existing letus35 customers.

I figure letus35 customers deserve some discount, I set the price for the add on at $200, which include a new achromat, 58/72mm filter thread at your choice to connect to camera, however the letus35 with add on won't perform 100% of the new version and will be a little longer in size too. This option will give letus35 customer the ability to switch back and forth. Letus35 customers are welcome to send in the unit, so we can make it to the new spec for extra $50. I am also making rod support mount for the new unit too.
I am keeping this price for a while since we get great deal from the local machine shop, they said they didn't think the part was that complex and said will double the fee on next batch, so if you are hurry, you can get some saving here.
Thanks for asking.

Quyen.

How much do you have to zoom in to fit the 24x36 frame? What camera was used for the video?

Won't perform 100% of the new version, Just wondered what this really means? Are you further away from the GG? What's is the real difference? Thanks

I have made more corrections to the unit than just add the flipper. Barrel distortion, achromatic abberation was the issues on the letus35, now is greatly improved. This version was intended for Letus35HD but I just don't want to use this name since it will affect future developements. The letus with add on will be longer and will need to zoom in more. The add on will give you freedom to choose between the regular and flip version, so this is your choice.

The camera used for that video was DVX100a, This camera can zoom in enough for 18x24 size and smaller. I don't know how far did he zoomed in, thanks.

Quyen

Are you selling this unit yet?

Yes, you can place order now, it would take 3-7 days before I can ship it, thanks.

Quyen

How much more light loss is there with the image flipping element?

With the image flipping, light loss is 1.5 stop, thanks.

Quyen

Quyen, how much will the next batch cost for new customers? This new flipped version is made of metal and still has the vibrating ground glass element to remove grain (how many AA batteries does it take again)? This is a really great development. Thanks for your hard work.

And does it come sealed tight so dust won't get in?

Quyen,

Are you saying, that Letus35 customers will get the upgrade (with the image flip) for another $50.00 when they send back their older model?

Will Hanlon

The next batch will be $650. This unit has the $520 value of the old adapter, which include metal mount, dust proof, 72mm (or 58mm at choice)... plus the part that flip the image. I priced it at $600 doesn't mean the flip part only cost $80. It's combo deal. The flip part by itself is over $200. the unit still uses 2 batteries like it has been.

Mandy Leo

The add on flip part for Letus customer is $200. This is the price that I send to you and you put it on. It requires some drilling... for extra $50 means $250, send it back and I will do it for you, thanks.

Quyen

Ok, makes sense. Thanks Quyen. Is the drilling going to be a delicate operation, possibly screwing up the device? I am pretty handy, but I don't wnat to chance something if I decide to go for it!

Just a thougth, and I might be wrong, but for users with a limited budget, won't buying an LCD screen to watch the flipped image in the end be a cheaper solution?
I've seen 6" LCD screens on ebay for $100-150...

Jelle,
The image flipper also solves the headache involved in post.

Yes it is quite a headache, I very curious about Quyens new adapter kit. When will we see new footage from the flipper adapter?

Jelle,
The image flipper also solves the headache involved in post.

Yeah, but I'm afraid it may also introduce distortion and extra light loss.
Is it really worth it in the end?