35m adaptor for the A1

Ben Hayflick · May 14th, 2007, 02:55 PM

So it sounds like your bread and butter is the 50mm? I imagine this is easier to focus than the 100mm (which would have less margin of error)?

Do you find the A1 with the Letus FE and a 50mm or 100mm usable for handheld, or does it seem as if the camera is going to break? Would it be too difficult to focus? How difficult do you think it would be to operate a steadycam/glidecam and focus the Letus FE?

Great to hear about the built in Nikon/Canon compatibility of the Letus FE.

Regarding the light loss, the current Brevis should be better than the Letus FE, as it doesn't have a built-in flip prism. Cinevate is evidently developing a flip module to be used with any adapters, for under/around $300 (or so I read a few weeks ago). Any thoughts on whether I should wait for that to come out, and couple it with the regular Letus 35A or maybe even the current Brevis?

Steven Dempsey · May 14th, 2007, 03:01 PM

All of the footage I shot during this Little League (which is about 4 hours worth) is done handheld and with a Steadybag. It holds up really well and I am able to focus on the fly with no problems. It does get a little heavy on the arm but that's only after prolonged shooting with no break.

I'm not going to steer you one way or the other but the flip is the reason I use this adapter. Not having to flip the monitor or spend extra time rendering a 180degree flip in post is a life saver.

Wait for the Brevis if you like but it seems like everyone is waiting for something to materialize eventually while there are already good tools available. The choice is yours. My posted footage is all I can offer others to convince them of the quality of this adapter.

35mm take a little while to master so don't get bent out of shape if you can't get the focus right, it will come with practice grasshopper.

Ben Hayflick · May 14th, 2007, 03:10 PM

Thanks again Steven.

I would want to use a flip unit for the exact same reasons. The fact that you are using the A1, handheld, and focusing successfully with the LCD without the aid of the Hoodman H-300 (which I tell ya is great), is excellent to hear.

The next narrative project I'm doing is all exterior day stuff, so the FE would be a great match - not too worried about the light loss!

I'm really leaning toward the FE at this point, but the idea of the Brevis + Brevis flip is really intriguing. But you're right: one can wait forever for this stuff.

Trish Kerr · May 14th, 2007, 03:12 PM

What would be the price comparison of the brevis +flip and the letusflip?

It looks up til now the letus is the most economical of the lot.

Trish

Ben Hayflick · May 14th, 2007, 04:47 PM

Unless I'm mistaken, the Letus FE will be around half as expensive as the Brevis + Brevis Flip module (which hasn't been released yet so the true price is uncertain).

William Boehm · May 14th, 2007, 05:15 PM

adding the 28 mm or the 100mm gives you what telephoto range?

Trish Kerr · May 14th, 2007, 05:44 PM

As a Canadian, I'm wondering if anyone has any advice for the best way to have things shipped to Canada? I have heard that UPS is deadly and ends up costing large $$$ in customs. But beyond this I'm green.

Are there any Canadians with experience in cross border purchases of significant value like these 35mm adaptors which aren't available locally unfortunately.

Trish

Trish Kerr · May 14th, 2007, 05:55 PM

I've since done a search on Canadian customs on the forum and it does appear to be all over the map for whether they charge customs fees. And can depend on how you get it shipped. I've read up on Canada/US taxes and apparently if the item is made in the U.S. there shouldn't be a big hit.

It doesn't seem to be clear however in practice.

the best shipping in order (from a previous post)

1) USPS
2) DHL
3) FedEX
4) UPS

but then they went on to complain that USPS delivers alot of damaged goods. And considering this is a glass lens, that option may be too risky.

EDIT
Below is a link to a comprehensive guide for shipping across the border and addresses most of the questions I posed above.

http://www.imageswest.ca/cross-border.htm

May 14th, 2007, 03:01 PM	#17
Steven Dempsey Disjecta Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Seattle, Washington Posts: 937	All of the footage I shot during this Little League (which is about 4 hours worth) is done handheld and with a Steadybag. It holds up really well and I am able to focus on the fly with no problems. It does get a little heavy on the arm but that's only after prolonged shooting with no break. I'm not going to steer you one way or the other but the flip is the reason I use this adapter. Not having to flip the monitor or spend extra time rendering a 180degree flip in post is a life saver. Wait for the Brevis if you like but it seems like everyone is waiting for something to materialize eventually while there are already good tools available. The choice is yours. My posted footage is all I can offer others to convince them of the quality of this adapter. 35mm take a little while to master so don't get bent out of shape if you can't get the focus right, it will come with practice grasshopper. __________________ Try my Digital Therapy: http://www.pinelakefilms.com/digital_therapy.html Films on ExposureRoom: http://exposureroom.com/members/disjecta.aspx/videos/

May 14th, 2007, 02:55 PM	#16
Ben Hayflick Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: NY, NY Posts: 55	So it sounds like your bread and butter is the 50mm? I imagine this is easier to focus than the 100mm (which would have less margin of error)? Do you find the A1 with the Letus FE and a 50mm or 100mm usable for handheld, or does it seem as if the camera is going to break? Would it be too difficult to focus? How difficult do you think it would be to operate a steadycam/glidecam and focus the Letus FE? Great to hear about the built in Nikon/Canon compatibility of the Letus FE. Regarding the light loss, the current Brevis should be better than the Letus FE, as it doesn't have a built-in flip prism. Cinevate is evidently developing a flip module to be used with any adapters, for under/around $300 (or so I read a few weeks ago). Any thoughts on whether I should wait for that to come out, and couple it with the regular Letus 35A or maybe even the current Brevis?

May 14th, 2007, 03:10 PM	#18
Ben Hayflick Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: NY, NY Posts: 55	Thanks again Steven. I would want to use a flip unit for the exact same reasons. The fact that you are using the A1, handheld, and focusing successfully with the LCD without the aid of the Hoodman H-300 (which I tell ya is great), is excellent to hear. The next narrative project I'm doing is all exterior day stuff, so the FE would be a great match - not too worried about the light loss! I'm really leaning toward the FE at this point, but the idea of the Brevis + Brevis flip is really intriguing. But you're right: one can wait forever for this stuff.

May 14th, 2007, 03:12 PM	#19
Trish Kerr Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 294	What would be the price comparison of the brevis +flip and the letusflip? It looks up til now the letus is the most economical of the lot. Trish

May 14th, 2007, 04:47 PM	#20
Ben Hayflick Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: NY, NY Posts: 55	Unless I'm mistaken, the Letus FE will be around half as expensive as the Brevis + Brevis Flip module (which hasn't been released yet so the true price is uncertain).

May 14th, 2007, 05:15 PM	#21
William Boehm Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Bothell, Washington Posts: 195	adding the 28 mm or the 100mm gives you what telephoto range?

May 14th, 2007, 05:44 PM	#22
Trish Kerr Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 294	As a Canadian, I'm wondering if anyone has any advice for the best way to have things shipped to Canada? I have heard that UPS is deadly and ends up costing large $$$ in customs. But beyond this I'm green. Are there any Canadians with experience in cross border purchases of significant value like these 35mm adaptors which aren't available locally unfortunately. Trish

May 14th, 2007, 05:55 PM	#23
Trish Kerr Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 294	I've since done a search on Canadian customs on the forum and it does appear to be all over the map for whether they charge customs fees. And can depend on how you get it shipped. I've read up on Canada/US taxes and apparently if the item is made in the U.S. there shouldn't be a big hit. It doesn't seem to be clear however in practice. the best shipping in order (from a previous post) 1) USPS 2) DHL 3) FedEX 4) UPS but then they went on to complain that USPS delivers alot of damaged goods. And considering this is a glass lens, that option may be too risky. EDIT Below is a link to a comprehensive guide for shipping across the border and addresses most of the questions I posed above. http://www.imageswest.ca/cross-border.htm