Sony HDR-CX7 + Letus Mini "AK47" Setup.
 

Letus Mini unit arrived today. Here's some pics of a (rarely seen) CX7 + Letus Mini combo setup.

"AK47" Setup includes Sony HDR-CX7 Camera, Letus Mini, Nikkor 50mm F1.4 MF Lens, Cavision Rails, UN Tripod Spacer & Cheap Shoulder Mount.

(Photos taken with an iPhone)

look cool with the black finish of the cam

post same video to see how it works

why you chose this cam over the hv-20 every one talk about?

What kind of handle/shoulder pad contraption is that?

Hey, that looks really cool. I'd like to see how well that setup works, and where I can get one!

Dude. Is that toilette paper on your desk?
-C

Yes, that is toilet paper. I'm a lazy boy. And cheap.

That shoulder mount with the handle was a really cheap "brandless" gear i bought ages ago from B&H. I just checked their site, they don't seem to stock them anymore. Had a quick go with it, seems ergonomic enough to use with small lenses like the 50mm, 35mm and an old Sigma 15mm fisheye i had. One hand on handle below, one hand on focus ring/barrel. Tried it with a big and heavy 105mm, wouldn't recommend it.

Bought the CX7 cause i wanted a really small camera with great quality, and the CX7 was the smallest, best built camera i saw. The tapeless option was a draw too. I had a look at the hv20, and just couldnt get myself to like the build quality. I like tossing my gear around.

The CX7 build, size, form and finish almost leads you to think the letus mini was custom-made for it. Or vice-versa - that the CX7 was an accessory custom-made for the Mini. hah... If only the CX7 was full manual capable...

Gonna focus on footage over the week and weekend.

Cheers.

Here's a few more iPhone pics...

In the last pic, you're holding the rig by the area where the letus and the cam meets. I've been leary of holding my setup at that part, fearing any pressure applied will mess up the lens thread and/or throw off the alignment. Have you found that to be the case?

That's a colleague. I was taking the pic.

I can understand why you might be cautious holding it there. Mine feels solid and the CX7 is very very light.... but i dont always grip it that way.

FOr anyone who's interested...

Test footage of the Letus Mini on the CX7, with a Nikkor 50mm F1.4 AIS Lens, in natural day light.

http://www.vimeo.com/988862

Kevin.. the footage shows quite a bit more vignetting than I usually expect from a 50mm 1.4 lens.. do you have to zoom further with the Sony than I'm used to seeing on the HV20? Or is the Sony's sensor more off-alignment?

It is zoomed in quite a bit. Not sure if it's the wide aperture or actual vignette from the lens.

How much is your hv20 zoomed in?

Weekend's here, so i'll have a bit more time to play with diff lens, at different settings, apertures and zooms. etc.

My HV30 is zoomed enough to still allow f2.4 max aperture.. I don't think there's any way of comparing the amount of zoom between our cameras..

Nikkor 35mm F/2.0 on the CX7 + Letus Mini
http://www.vimeo.com/998146

Nikkor 24mm F/2.8 on the CX7 + Letus Mini
http://www.vimeo.com/1010710

Shot with B/W Preset on the CX7.

Hey I liked the 35mm one.. such nice location! What compression settings did you use for that clip?

The 35mm one i posted previously?
Think it was H.264 Quicktime at High Quality 5000kbps.

Posted 2 more tests...
105mm F1.8 - http://www.vimeo.com/1034066
Another 35mm - http://www.vimeo.com/1038659