LetusXL v1 (repaired at home), 75-200mm, sample video at DVinfo.net

Jad Meouchy · February 19th, 2007, 08:25 PM

I take, take, take and now I will give.

http://www.metrofilmclub.com/xl2_day1_girldog.wmv
http://www.metrofilmclub.com/xl2_day1_snow.wmv
http://www.metrofilmclub.com/xl2_day1_wii.wmv

This is my first time shooting with the XL2, and I'm using a repaired LetusXL v1. Everything was natural light and presets on the cam were just a little bit toward Cine, but close to stock. White balance preset #2, I think. All handheld -- err shoulderheld.

Nothing interesting was going on when I shot these clips. The three minutes or so of this video were literally the highlights of the day.

I would appreciate every criticism (beyond the obvious) as I am a newbie with this cam.

Is the softness of the image because of letusxl v1? Because I am pretty disappointed with this and with the absolutely ridiculous light loss.

Michele Coser · February 20th, 2007, 02:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jad Meouchy

Is the softness of the image because of letusxl v1? Because I am pretty disappointed with this and with the absolutely ridiculous light loss.

One question: the letus eat a lot of light or only a bit?

Yes, i find the image too soft, but maybe someone like that way. I think that a custom preset that crush the dark zones can be enanche a bit the footage.

Can you post some pics of the XL2 + letus?

Jad Meouchy · February 20th, 2007, 11:32 AM

Yes, it eats a lot of light, probably close to a full stop more than the 20X lens (when a 50mm f1.8 is attached). The softness is fine for human faces, but it's too much for scenery and inorganic objects. Coupled with the light loss, these characteristics severely cripple this adapter's usability. This is the older version and the new one is supposed to be better.

Correction: this lens was f4.5, not f3.5. I will try again later this week with a f2.8 of the same focal range.

After viewing that footage on a computer, I went back and readjusted my preset to something with more crushed blacks.

I will post pics of the actual camera later tonight.

Ash Greyson · February 20th, 2007, 07:59 PM

The v2 loses much less light...

ash =o)

Jad Meouchy · February 20th, 2007, 10:41 PM

Well after seeing the build quality of this and a 35FE, I don't think I'm going to be purchasing a letus product anytime soon. I have spent 4 hours cleaning this and there are still specks with high fstop. So I can't shoot indoors because it's too dark and I can't shoot outdoors because it's too bright. Hmmm..

Jad Meouchy · February 21st, 2007, 12:48 AM

http://www.jadware.com/newcam2.jpg
http://www.jadware.com/newcam3.jpg
http://www.jadware.com/newcam4.jpg
http://www.jadware.com/newcam5.jpg
http://www.jadware.com/newcam6.jpg
http://www.jadware.com/newcam7.jpg
http://www.jadware.com/newcam8.jpg
http://www.jadware.com/newcam9.jpg

I was using a cheapo sony digicam and too tired to take glamour shots.

Chris Barcellos · February 21st, 2007, 01:50 AM

Jad:

To give it a fair chance, try shooting with non-zoom fixed lens, starting with a 50mm. I have heard that zooms can create issues.

February 19th, 2007, 08:25 PM	#1
Jad Meouchy Major Player Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 663	LetusXL v1 (repaired at home), 75-200mm, sample video I take, take, take and now I will give. http://www.metrofilmclub.com/xl2_day1_girldog.wmv http://www.metrofilmclub.com/xl2_day1_snow.wmv http://www.metrofilmclub.com/xl2_day1_wii.wmv This is my first time shooting with the XL2, and I'm using a repaired LetusXL v1. Everything was natural light and presets on the cam were just a little bit toward Cine, but close to stock. White balance preset #2, I think. All handheld -- err shoulderheld. Nothing interesting was going on when I shot these clips. The three minutes or so of this video were literally the highlights of the day. I would appreciate every criticism (beyond the obvious) as I am a newbie with this cam. Is the softness of the image because of letusxl v1? Because I am pretty disappointed with this and with the absolutely ridiculous light loss.

February 21st, 2007, 01:50 AM	#7
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	Jad: To give it a fair chance, try shooting with non-zoom fixed lens, starting with a 50mm. I have heard that zooms can create issues. __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

February 20th, 2007, 11:32 AM	#3
Jad Meouchy Major Player Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 663	Yes, it eats a lot of light, probably close to a full stop more than the 20X lens (when a 50mm f1.8 is attached). The softness is fine for human faces, but it's too much for scenery and inorganic objects. Coupled with the light loss, these characteristics severely cripple this adapter's usability. This is the older version and the new one is supposed to be better. Correction: this lens was f4.5, not f3.5. I will try again later this week with a f2.8 of the same focal range. After viewing that footage on a computer, I went back and readjusted my preset to something with more crushed blacks. I will post pics of the actual camera later tonight.

February 20th, 2007, 07:59 PM	#4
Ash Greyson Trustee Join Date: May 2003 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 1,689	The v2 loses much less light... ash =o)

February 20th, 2007, 10:41 PM	#5
Jad Meouchy Major Player Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 663	Well after seeing the build quality of this and a 35FE, I don't think I'm going to be purchasing a letus product anytime soon. I have spent 4 hours cleaning this and there are still specks with high fstop. So I can't shoot indoors because it's too dark and I can't shoot outdoors because it's too bright. Hmmm..

February 21st, 2007, 12:48 AM	#6
Jad Meouchy Major Player Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 663	http://www.jadware.com/newcam2.jpg http://www.jadware.com/newcam3.jpg http://www.jadware.com/newcam4.jpg http://www.jadware.com/newcam5.jpg http://www.jadware.com/newcam6.jpg http://www.jadware.com/newcam7.jpg http://www.jadware.com/newcam8.jpg http://www.jadware.com/newcam9.jpg I was using a cheapo sony digicam and too tired to take glamour shots.