Letus Extreme issue with XH-A1 at DVinfo.net

Nicholas Tran · June 8th, 2008, 05:31 PM

Well, the issue isn't truly related to the XH-A1, but lately I've been using my Letus Extreme and can see the grain from the ground glass in my shots. I only notice it because it seems like it's vibrating too slow so it's visible.

Of course, I changed out batteries (three times) to fix the issue but to no avail. Has anyone else had this issue? or know how to fix it?

I've sent an email to Letus but have yet to hear from them.

FYI, I probably only have about 10 hours usage max on the Letus.

Thanks anyone.

Doug Davis · June 9th, 2008, 04:43 PM

Try turning the gain to -3 db.... That seemed to help me out a great deal... It gives a very clean image...

Nicholas Tran · June 10th, 2008, 05:57 PM

Thanks. I'll give it a try. I never had this issue before until very recently... I hope the motor in the Extreme isn't just going out- it shouldn't, I've barely used it.

Brandon Freeman · June 10th, 2008, 09:48 PM

I'm curious -- what are your camera and still lens iris settings?

David Chia · June 11th, 2008, 02:53 AM

also check if the AGC on the camera is switch on? things like that does make the grain appear on the G.G

Nicholas Tran · June 11th, 2008, 11:03 AM

No, I make sure that AGC is always off. I've been shooting completely manual.

It is literally that the Ground Glass is vibrating too slow. Like I've mentioned before, I had never had this issue until lately. My shooting technique or methods have not changed, nor had been an issue before.

I would give you my settings, but since I'm shooting manually, they change as the scene changes. All I can tell you is that for my still lenses, I always shoot at the largest aperture on each lens. My 50mm is a 1.4, 100mm is a 2.8, 200mm is a 4.

It does help if I don't shoot bright scenes... though that shouldn't matter. The problem is that I can see the grain spinning in little circles... Just seems to be too slow. The guys from Letus still haven't gotten back to me either.

Dennis Murphy · June 11th, 2008, 02:55 PM

A higher shutter speed will 'catch' the vibrating screen and show it's grain.
I personally don't go over 120.

June 8th, 2008, 05:31 PM	#1
Nicholas Tran Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Irvine, CA Posts: 67	Letus Extreme issue with XH-A1 Well, the issue isn't truly related to the XH-A1, but lately I've been using my Letus Extreme and can see the grain from the ground glass in my shots. I only notice it because it seems like it's vibrating too slow so it's visible. Of course, I changed out batteries (three times) to fix the issue but to no avail. Has anyone else had this issue? or know how to fix it? I've sent an email to Letus but have yet to hear from them. FYI, I probably only have about 10 hours usage max on the Letus. Thanks anyone.

June 9th, 2008, 04:43 PM	#2
Doug Davis Major Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Birmingham Alabama Posts: 259	Try turning the gain to -3 db.... That seemed to help me out a great deal... It gives a very clean image... __________________ "The only thing the camera sees is light..." http://www.GoWildOlive.com

June 10th, 2008, 09:48 PM	#4
Brandon Freeman Major Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 226	I'm curious -- what are your camera and still lens iris settings? __________________ Canon EOS 7D, Final Cut Studio 2

June 11th, 2008, 02:53 AM	#5
David Chia Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Singapore Posts: 427	also check if the AGC on the camera is switch on? things like that does make the grain appear on the G.G __________________ Website: http://www.Motiononcanvas.com Camera Operator/ Video Editor in Singapore. https://new.cinematographer.org.au/m...713/david-chia

June 11th, 2008, 02:55 PM	#7
Dennis Murphy Major Player Join Date: May 2006 Location: Whangarei, New Zealand Posts: 396	A higher shutter speed will 'catch' the vibrating screen and show it's grain. I personally don't go over 120. __________________ http://www.dmvideostuff.co.nz

June 10th, 2008, 05:57 PM	#3
Nicholas Tran Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Irvine, CA Posts: 67	Thanks. I'll give it a try. I never had this issue before until very recently... I hope the motor in the Extreme isn't just going out- it shouldn't, I've barely used it.

June 11th, 2008, 11:03 AM	#6
Nicholas Tran Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Irvine, CA Posts: 67	No, I make sure that AGC is always off. I've been shooting completely manual. It is literally that the Ground Glass is vibrating too slow. Like I've mentioned before, I had never had this issue until lately. My shooting technique or methods have not changed, nor had been an issue before. I would give you my settings, but since I'm shooting manually, they change as the scene changes. All I can tell you is that for my still lenses, I always shoot at the largest aperture on each lens. My 50mm is a 1.4, 100mm is a 2.8, 200mm is a 4. It does help if I don't shoot bright scenes... though that shouldn't matter. The problem is that I can see the grain spinning in little circles... Just seems to be too slow. The guys from Letus still haven't gotten back to me either.