Sony XDCAM EX1 and Letus Extreme 35mm adaptor

[Danny Grizzle]

I’ve looked at your footage — gorgeous!

A few questions:

How robust is the Letus Extreme? Build quality? Lens mount? Motor(!)?

Can you detail what lenses you are using?

(I’ve got my old collection of Canon FD breech mount manual focus lenses I’d love to get back into action! This includes 15mm f2.8 Fisheye, 20mm f2.8, 35mm f2, 50mm f1.4, 50mm f3.5 macro, 135mm f2.5, 200mm f2.8, and a 300mm f5.6).

How much bother is changing lens mounts, say Canon FD to Canon EOS?

(I’ve got a set of manual focus Canon T/S primes in EOS mount – imagine view camera moves on a video camera…)

What kind of rod supports?

Also, what are the tripod requirements. I’m considering the Vinten ProTouch Pro-6.

Still, the whole premise is a bit incredible — how can an image projected onto a vibrating ground glass possibly compare in sharpness and contrast? Does this thing *really* look like prime lenses on a full resolution HD monitor?

[Philip Bloom]

I’ve looked at your footage — gorgeous! Thanks

A few questions:

How robust is the Letus Extreme? Build quality? Lens mount? Motor(!)? Incredibly well built. As solid as the mini 35. Lens mount can be just about any 35mm lens including PL mount.

Can you detail what lenses you are using?

(I’ve got my old collection of Canon FD breech mount manual focus lenses I’d love to get back into action! This includes 15mm f2.8 Fisheye, 20mm f2.8, 35mm f2, 50mm f1.4, 50mm f3.5 macro, 135mm f2.5, 200mm f2.8, and a 300mm f5.6). I use fast nikon primes, as well as Zeiss 50mm Macro and 85mm f1.4 as well as two Hartblei shift tilt lenses and a some Sigma primes.

How much bother is changing lens mounts, say Canon FD to Canon EOS? Your Canon lenses will be fine, although you could do with an 85mm. Eos lenses are a slightly more problematic due to there not being manual iris control. Lens mount changing is simple

(I’ve got a set of manual focus Canon T/S primes in EOS mount – imagine view camera moves on a video camera…)

What kind of rod supports? I use the Letus own rod supports. Very good they are too

Also, what are the tripod requirements. I’m considering the Vinten ProTouch Pro-6. I have a brilliant Miller solo ds20 tripod. quite superb

Still, the whole premise is a bit incredible — how can an image projected onto a vibrating ground glass possibly compare in sharpness and contrast? Does this thing *really* look like prime lenses on a full resolution HD monitor? it looks amazing. Download the HD versions of Kew Gardens in winter, piccadilly furs and of course the new one my autumn’s done come. There are 720p downloadable versions linked there. Also read my blog for loads more info on the Letus Extreme!

Thanks

Philip Bloom

http://www.philipbloom.co.uk

[Danny Grizzle]

I take it you are a Letus fan, no affiliation with the company. At least the UK – Wichita, Kansas, connection is not obvious.

Frankly, I’d never heard of Letus before I saw what you are doing with it. And the concept was lacking in credibility until I saw your footage. Now I’m very excited, given my clutch of still lenses.

I agree on the 85mm — already online searching eBay for an f1.2.

Thanks for responding, and thanks for posting such great footage!

[Philip Bloom]

The Brevis system http://www.cinevate.com is also very impressive.

Am a big fan of both!

[Rafael Amador]

Hi Phillip,
My internet connexion is very slow, so until I’ve been able only to download ‘Piccadilly furs”.
I can not stop playing it in my MBP. Incredible. Congratulation.
Rafael
PS: My EX1 is coming..

PPC G5 2x2Gh 4GbRAM/BlackMagic SD/PMBP 17″Core2Duo 4GbRAM
JVC DTV-17″/FCS2/AE CS3/COMBUSTION/SHAKE

[Philip Bloom]

Cool. Get the rest They are worth it!!

[Randy Strome]

Philip,
Props to you bro,
Your stuff is…beyond.

Has me very interested in that Letus, but of course…hands of the user.

OT here, but very interested in what export settings you are using for you Flash shorts. Best quality online I have come across hands down.

Thanks for the post.

Randy

[Philip Bloom]

Thanks

I export using .mp4 quicktime h264 with a size of 700×400 and a bitrate of 1400mps.

[Danny Grizzle]

Philip, you are the master. Not only depth of field, but also artful temporal dynamics with over/undercranking.

I’m studying “Lost Times.” It seems to exhibit an edge defocused vignette. I’d attribute this to the Letus except I didn’t notice a similar effect in your other 35mm examples. What is happening?

I’ll stop blathering, except one more compliment: you have a terrific work ethic. Not only quality, but a high volume of EX1 completed work posted on your site. Makes me ashamed to be reading this board when I should be out shooting!

[Philip Bloom]

Hi danny

in lost times I shot mostly with Hartblei tilt/ shift lenses which move the focus plane to wherever i want!