Tokyo Rockabilly at DVinfo.net

Alexander Kubalsky · March 19th, 2009, 10:02 AM

Hey everyone, I'm putting up some random stuff I shot with my EX1 and Letus Extreme one sunny Sunday afternoon. All footage was captured at various locations in Yoyogi Park in Harajuku Tokyo during the space of about 2 hours. Not so much a showcase of the Letus, more about being mobile and getting out there with the kit. Hope you enjoy!

Harajuku Rockabilly on Vimeo

Michael Power · March 22nd, 2009, 07:55 AM

That's fun. Reminds me of the Wim Wenders doco Tokyo Ga from the 80s where he makes a pilgrammage to visit the DOP of Yasujiro Ozu and on the way captures the Japanese at play.

On a more serious note, do you shoot a lot with the Letus Extreme? I'm thinking about trading in my Brevis unit because of its vignetting issues on the EX and buying a Letus but wonder if I can get away with the Extreme not the Elite. Do you use yours for work? What about positioning the adapter so it aligns correctly with the EX? Is that difficult on the Extreme? Also, is collimation of the unit possible?

Thanks

Mickey

Alexander Kubalsky · March 24th, 2009, 11:00 AM

Hi Michael,

I would get the elite if you have the extra money. I've found the extreme a little difficult to adjust the ground glass by hand. It is also slightly to the right when I zoom in to the ground glass and therefore lose just a little of the image plane. I think these issues are addressed with the elite.
By collimation I guess you mean back focus adjustment? I have had to adjust the distance of teh Nikon mount fro the ground glass several times. I think its right now. Infinity focus on the Nikon lenses seems correct.

I'm new to freelancing as a cinematographer but I'm starting to get work with the EX1 Letus set up. Depth of Field adapters are almost unknown in Japan but I'm getting a few Directors for Tv commercials, music videos who want cheaper options to hiring Varicam or 35mm cameras now that the economic pinch is being felt.

Michael Power · March 27th, 2009, 02:45 AM

Thanks for that, Alexander. I spent a bit of dough investing in a Brevis last year and need to get a good sale for it before splurging on a new adapter. However, I use it to earn a living so worth the extra getting something that does the right job.

Good luck with getting good work.

Mickey

March 19th, 2009, 10:02 AM	#1
Alexander Kubalsky Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Japan Posts: 172	Tokyo Rockabilly Hey everyone, I'm putting up some random stuff I shot with my EX1 and Letus Extreme one sunny Sunday afternoon. All footage was captured at various locations in Yoyogi Park in Harajuku Tokyo during the space of about 2 hours. Not so much a showcase of the Letus, more about being mobile and getting out there with the kit. Hope you enjoy! Harajuku Rockabilly on Vimeo

March 22nd, 2009, 07:55 AM	#2
Michael Power Regular Crew Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 47	That's fun. Reminds me of the Wim Wenders doco Tokyo Ga from the 80s where he makes a pilgrammage to visit the DOP of Yasujiro Ozu and on the way captures the Japanese at play. On a more serious note, do you shoot a lot with the Letus Extreme? I'm thinking about trading in my Brevis unit because of its vignetting issues on the EX and buying a Letus but wonder if I can get away with the Extreme not the Elite. Do you use yours for work? What about positioning the adapter so it aligns correctly with the EX? Is that difficult on the Extreme? Also, is collimation of the unit possible? Thanks Mickey

March 24th, 2009, 11:00 AM	#3
Alexander Kubalsky Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Japan Posts: 172	Hi Michael, I would get the elite if you have the extra money. I've found the extreme a little difficult to adjust the ground glass by hand. It is also slightly to the right when I zoom in to the ground glass and therefore lose just a little of the image plane. I think these issues are addressed with the elite. By collimation I guess you mean back focus adjustment? I have had to adjust the distance of teh Nikon mount fro the ground glass several times. I think its right now. Infinity focus on the Nikon lenses seems correct. I'm new to freelancing as a cinematographer but I'm starting to get work with the EX1 Letus set up. Depth of Field adapters are almost unknown in Japan but I'm getting a few Directors for Tv commercials, music videos who want cheaper options to hiring Varicam or 35mm cameras now that the economic pinch is being felt.

March 27th, 2009, 02:45 AM	#4
Michael Power Regular Crew Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 47	Thanks for that, Alexander. I spent a bit of dough investing in a Brevis last year and need to get a good sale for it before splurging on a new adapter. However, I use it to earn a living so worth the extra getting something that does the right job. Good luck with getting good work. Mickey