Letus 35mm Flip Enhanced

[tkmslee]

Since a lot of folks are getting, or making, 35mm adapters, and are going through a lot of effort to get the image flipped, why not try this one:

http://www.adapterplace.com/component/option,com_virtuemart/page,shop.browse/category_id,2/Itemid,56/

I know it's $700, but it seems to produce good results and is already flipped!

Anyone heard about these at all? I think I may get one eventually.

[Worley]

I think the answer lies in the price!

[24Peter]

Plus you need to buy lenses, rails to hold the thing up. You're really looking at $1250+ which means all the 35mm adapters are in similar price range. Still, it is a viable option for those of us making films with the HV20.
The other thing about the Letus is it has a 1 1/2 stop light loss. Add about the same for typical 35mm lens and you're talking a 3 stop loss of sensitivity over a stock HV20, which is already 1 1/2 stops slower than a typical DV camera, means you need a LOT of light when shooting with these adapters.

If you've ever seen a "making of" video of a feature film and noticed that the same scene shown on the video seems much brighter than in the acutal film itself, now you know why. (Well not really "why" but how much additional light you'll need to light your scenes.)

[dkim68]

The other thing about the Letus is it has a 1 1/2 stop light loss. Add about the same for typical 35mm lens and you're talking a 3 stop loss of sensitivity over a stock HV20
Is stop loss an issue with DIY adapters as well?

[tkmslee]

Yes, you will always lose light whenever you introduce any external glass or imaging devices. Even the Brevis, who claim that their adapter gains stops (I can't remember how they measure it but there is no way it gains any stops) still loses light. There are some screens out there that are very bright and are optimal for use with adapters, but you will lose some light.

Even with just the straight camera though, you still need to light a scene properly to get good footage.

[thequads]

I don't remember the brevis claiming a gain, but it's supposed to have less light loss than others. Another thing to consider is that you have to zoom into the focussing ground. On the brevis, this will lock your hv20 at around a 2.2 fstop at maximum aperture, without the brevis it's 1.8.