It's true that most shots would be supported in some way. But I like the freedom of being able to grab a quick shot handheld, if not making it a whole stylistic choice to shoot handheld (maybe with a focus puller if necessary). It's interesting that one of the clips used as an example on the Letus site is of a wholly handheld shot in a radio studio, thats the kind of flexibility I'm looking for.

Just another brief diversion away from topic however... can someone explain to me the implications of the 1.9x image magnification factor, I'm not great on film lenses so can someone explain - does that mean that a wide lens will be less wide, and a telephoto will be even more telephoto as a result of using the Letus?

[QUOTE=Bob Hart

It is true the Letus35 assembly does not in itself add extra harmful weight to the HD100 lens mount. However, the relay lens used in back of the Letus35 relay versions is a load bearing component in this arrangement. It was not designed to be a load bearing component but is unlikely to fail structurally.>>

Yeah, it's a pretty close coupled arrangement that would take a lot to fail there I would think

<<However, unless the weight of the Letus35 appliance is supported, changing backfocus using the relay lens focus ring is awkard and the mechanism binds. Backfocus cannot be conveniently done with the camera on shoulder except if the camera op is three handed.>>

I actually find this to be an accidental plus in the design.
There is no focusable relay on the mini35, just an adjustable iris.
You should only have to adjust the focus/backfocus on the relay once when you attach it, but because it's there by the iris there's a regular chance that you could accidentaly hit it and throw it out of focus.
The slight downward pressure keeps the relay focus ring secure while shooting, and placing your hand under the main body gives enough gentle support to adjust it if necessary.

<<Unless the Letus is supported, focus adjustments to the SLR lens may also introduce unwanted movements of the image due to compliance in the structure in the immediate neighbourhood of the relay lens and the relay lens itself.[/QUOTE]>>

Haven't had this issue.
What are you using to support yours Bob?...specifically what piece to adjust to the proper height when attached to the rods?

>>


Take a calculator and multiply the focal length of the lens you want to use by 1.9 and that's the actual FOV you will get.

That's why I built a kit of 20mm, 24mm, 35mm, and 50mm.
With the Letus HD, they become 38mm, 45mm, 66mm, and 95mm.
I would have gone with an 18mm but they're not fast enough.
You can get by with a f2.8, but you absolutely want the extra stops of a f1.4 for critical work...the best you can get is f/2 with a 24mm.

Basically the wide end is a bit of a challenge witht he speed and multiplication issues, but for a direct to camera upright adaptor it's a reasonable compromise. the 20mm 2.8 AIS is the best glass you'll get for your wide end.

(Haven't had this issue.
What are you using to support yours Bob?...specifically what piece to adjust to the proper height when attached to the rods?)

Actually, on reflection, the normal movements of handheld work will likely bury any movement introduced by any flex in the camera/Letus combination. I am probably being excessively fussy.

The two specimens I have had dealings with -

One was for a HD100 and was supported on a purpose built Cavision rods system which has a little strap which goes under the Letus body, simple and effective.

Another was for an XL2/XLHI. For this, I cobbled up a solid support piece which went onto the rods of an existing teleprompter support which is very generally similar to how the Cavision worked. The rods were 12.7mm (1/2 inch) and the centres were 60mm apart.).

In my version the solid support completely surrounds the front tube on the Letus and clamps to it with a compression screw. It is a stable arrangement.

However, the real world quickly proved the solid support to be inconvenient as the camcorder cannot be quickly dismantled from the rods and the Letus.

I will be changing this to a cradle and overhead strap arrangement which should be nearly as solid but capable of being broken down instantly which is what the client needs to happen.

For the teleprompter support, XL2/XLH1 base to top of 1/2" rod vertical distance is 52mm. From bottom of front Letus35 XL Flip tube to top of 1/2" rod vertical distance is 38mm.

The XL camcorder family of camcorders has the lens centreline offset a considerable distance to the left as viewed from back of camera. My dimensions for this offset meaurement are not valid as the teleprompter was discovered to have been received incorrectly assembled which put my measurements out by about 8mm.

For an XL1 mounted to a tripod hole in dead centre between the two rods plus the misalignment I built onto, as viewed from the rear, the horizontal distance from the right outer edge of the right 1/2" rod to right outer edge of the Letus35 XL flip front tube was 21mm.

This was the centre point of the range of flex the camcorder/Letus combination permitted. This distance would come back to between 28mm - 32mm on a correctly assembled version but don't take my word for it on this one.

delete post please

Just wondering if you've been able to properly set up the adapter and found it to work well for you, Rob. I'm considering buying the Letus HD100. I found that in these clips you can see the grain pattern of the GG (especially in Letsufocus.mov -the right half of his face flickers from the vibration).

Did you get a chance to shoot & post more recent footage? I'd love to see some more indoor shots.

Chad,

Sorry I have gone all silent but have been as busy as hell making films and having fun.

Quyen is kindly looking at my Letus which I could never set up properly and as soon as I get it back in the new year I will post more stuff and let people make up their own minds. I am getting a fixed nikkon mount put on for a start as the one that mounts both canon and nikkon lenses was not that stable. I should point out Quyen has been very supportive and is very reliable.

The footage I posted was not much chop - just shot around the house and it was very grainy. I dont think it is supposed to have that much grain.

So I will not be able to say much until the new year once I get my unit back from Quyen.

Rob

Sounds good. Thanks for the update. Do stay in touch when you get it back. And enjoy the holidays! ;-)

Anyone else with new footage from the adapter? Thanks much.

I do have a question about the 1.9x magnification. Does it result in loss of shallower DOF? I know that normally when using a 24-35mm lens there is not as much racking available as say a 50 or 85mm. Does this carry over when using the adapter since you'd be using a 24 or 35mm to replace the 50mm? Thanks.