Letus Introduces New All-In-One 1.33X Anamorphic Adapter
Speaking of anamorphic adapters, just as we were talking about the SLR Magic 1.33x adapter, Letus has finally introduced their own 1.33x anamorphic adapter that they've been working on for some time -- and it won't need diopters to focus closely. They've been posting pictures throughout the process teasing the adapter, but now it looks to be officially completed. Read on to learn more about this brand new adapter.
These are the specs from Clinton Harn's post on Newsshooter (which also appeared in greater detail on his blog):
This adapter will start at around $1700 US and it promises to be high quality and yet reasonably simple to use. Lens compatibility is much greater than vintage options with a universal adapter for zoom lenses and later on different versions for different focal length primes.
- Works with current prime and zoom lenses
- Focusable with 0.8mm gear (The adapter has 3 positions: Close Focus, Mid Focus and Far Focus replacing the need for add-on diopters. For critical focus the user can fine tune further).
- High resolution. Said to be capable of at least 2K with most lenses
- Custom optical components
- Multi-coated for superior image quality but still retain elegant flare. (a single coat option will also be available that will flare more. The multi-coat version has higher resolving power)
- Made ready with matte box
- Patent pending clip on 2 stage filter
- Mounting solution for 114mm outside diameter lens like Zeiss CP* and adapting ring for smaller lens like 77mm, 82mm, etc.
- 1/4-20 and 3/8-16 mounting points
- CNC aluminum housing
- 1.33x squeeze, which will work with all current crop of 16:9 cameras, bringing it to a standard 2.39:1
As for when we can expect it, the two different Letus accounts tweeted these:
They've also posted one sample so far (click for larger):
It's obviously a bit early to pass any sort of judgment on the new adapter, especially since there isn't any footage available yet from what I can tell. This 2K-resolving adapter should be a big step up from something like the Panasonic LA7200, which according to the blog post only resolved around 500 lines at best, and a dismal 150 at worst farther from the center. It's unclear right now in what range the Close, Medium, and Far distances will work, but it seems like you'll need to know where in the general area you're going to be focusing, and focus both your anamorphic and taking lens accordingly.
Obviously plenty will balk at this adapter starting at $1,700, but with the SLR Magic anamorphic likely coming in around $1,500, it's obviously not some conspiracy that these manufacturers are just trying to mark up prices for the sake of it. The time that goes into researching and developing these costs money, and since they will probably be produced in low volume, they cost more than if a large manufacturer produced one in huge volumes.
One other interesting note that was tweeted is that the adapter should work with projector lenses:
With both the SLR Magic and Letus anamorphic probably coming out in similar time frames, it would be surprising if we didn't get a bunch of new anamorphics from competing manufacturers sometime in then next year or two (that's normally how these trends go). With old anamorphic adapters going for record prices on the used market, it was only a matter of time.
You can read more about the process over on Clinton's site.
Link: Letus35 – Morphing into a new era -- Clinton Harn
[via Newsshooter]