Letus Gimbal

[Joel Arvidsson]

Constantine and Hienle just rasided the positive vibe by a 1000%. Very cool guys, will be intresting to se what could be the outcome.

 

[GT Le]

The reason I have not sent out the manual with the Helix is because I've talked to many Movi users who said the MOVI manual while very nice, was not that helpful in reality. Also, although the Helix is considered an gimbals, yet due to its difference in the physical design, the way one use it is inherently different from the other gimbals. Due to those factors, we sent out rough guidelines on how to initially set up the system with the intention of following up with further one-on-one coaching sessions. We also have Video conferencing group training sessions. In my experience, those who attended my training session are the one who most successful in setting up the Helix and now are happy out shooting and playing with their Helixes elsewhere but here

1) Here is the link to the links to some of those initial set up guidelines we've broken up in smaller session for quick access. There are more in-depth instructions coming soon. My current page count for the manual is around 50 and it keeps growing. I'm compiling these instruction from my coaching experience with early users. I find that because I was a part of the designing team from the beginning, I'm not always mindful that many things that seems obvious to me are not to the user who were not a part of the designing team (Doh!) and these training sessions has help me to write a more practical manual I hope.

2) By various carrying styles, do you mean cradle mode versus suite case mode? If that is the case, then no. This is why it's crucial to have the set up balanced. Once the system is balanced, whatever position you put it in, it should stay balance and hence require the same torque to correct for deviations. That means same controlling setting. The POWER/ P,I and D value change with your camera setup (payload and and accessories configurations).

Hope this explain your questions

 

[Zeb B]

Hey Guys,
I'm heading into the digital dark PacNW rain forest for a week or so of photography and meditation. To be honest the last couple weeks have been a bit toxic for the soul - felt like a liberal guest on Fox News. Such is the way for Internet forums where the loudest and most aggressive voices are the ones that remain. In the end there are no customers here or stories to be told. Just a bunch of guys yapping like toy size dogs ;-)

Cheers!

PS: buy the gear that fits your need. No one really cares what you use or why it's better than brand X

 

[Matthew B]

Hey Guys,
I'm heading into the digital dark PacNW rain forest for a week or so of photography and meditation. To be honest the last couple weeks have been a bit toxic for the soul - felt like a liberal guest on Fox News. Such is the way for Internet forums where the loudest and most aggressive voices are the ones that remain. In the end there are no customers here or stories to be told. Just a bunch of guys yapping like toy size dogs ;-)

Cheers!

PS: buy the gear that fits your need. No one really cares what you use or why it's better than brand X

Ozette? Enjoy!

 

[Terry VerHaar]

Perhaps it wasn't your intent, but for future reference phrases like "competition" , "step up" , "don't care" in response to a request for objective footage just perpetuates the whole personal attack / 'you're either with us or you're against us' vibe that has basically taken over and ruined gimbal threads. I'm pleading that we just stick to facts in this one.



This is my whole point. I'm well aware that a handful of folks are roaming around with grudges / on a mission / whatever. But let's not let them screw things up for those of us who have no motive and just want to talk objectively about the Helix and what it can do?

Come on, David, Now who is acting like the language police and layering all sorts of their personal interpretations on what was said. I meant what I said when I said "step up" and and that I really don't care to please others with all of this. And, no, I don't think the request for specific footage was innocent or an attempt at objectivity. Beyond that, whatever you interpret, you will have to own. If you don't like something I said, so be it. Just don't take it upon yourself to scold for something you think I meant.

And you have no motive, really. David, what if is seems otherwise to me. Does that mean I can scold you for it? I think I have earned the right to comment about the Helix as I have put an immense amount of time and effort into learning about it thus far. If my commentary doesn't suit your style, or isn't detailed enough to give you what you want, I guess I'll live with it.

I am as happy as anyone that Hien has indicated he will should a mirror test and post it. I think he may be the most appropriate person to do so. I'll way patiently and respectfully for when he thinks it is the best time.

Oh - and if you look back at my posts, I think you will find that I have said many time over that a) any of these stabilizers will eventually give good results, and b) you should buy what you think will do the job for you and do when you are comfortable with the information you have. I am providing facts and not pushing an agenda.

 

[Les Dittert]

And, no, I don't think the request for specific footage was innocent or an attempt at objectivity. .

Terry, I believe I'm the one that keeps nagging about the mirror test. I have a deposit on the R.U. buy, and want to see some results before I buy. I won't buy unless I think the rig will do what I want fairly soon. The mirror test is a basic test that shows how it works in the most basic way without annoying soundtrack or artsy fartsy hipster people traipsing through fields of grass with a bunch of lens flare ... etc , etc.
Sounds like it will be posted tonight, so I hope I can place my order tonight as well !

 

[Terry VerHaar]

... without annoying soundtrack or artsy fartsy hipster people traipsing through fields of grass with a bunch of lens flare ... etc , etc.

Haha - Les, we certainly can agree on that little bit of truth!

 

[Terry VerHaar]

If you think I'm making posts that derail the quality of information provided in this thread, then yes, tell me to stop. Everyone benefits. Otherwise, let's continue to talk about the Helix, which everyone, regardless of their level of investment, should have a right to talk and ask genuine questions about. If you need to hash out something further please feel free to PM me because I don't think anyone else feels like reading it. Back to the Helix.

David - I responded directly to a request from Les, who, ironically, hadn't been heard from again until now. You decided to jump into the middle of the conversation. It's your right to do so, but please don't pretend to "take the high road" as it was you who derailed the conversation, not me. So, yes - back to Helix.

 

[GT Le]

Les, we let someone borrow the Demo unit to use with his Epic. We thought he was going to bring it back yesterday but it turned out to be miscommunication so he's not bringing it back until this weekend.

Just don't want you to think we are stalling

 

[Note Suwanchote]

Posted this in the other thread also

First time picking one up but I have used a 3 axis gimbal before.
This was not the one I got, the one I had was better.
Total weight was around 16.5-17.5lbs

I don't have a RED camera, a BMCC.
We used a
SmallHD DP7 (1.5lbs or so with 2 sony npf 950) +
Sigma 18-35mm (1.75lb) +
24" standard SDI cable (important BECAUSE it wraps agains the side of the bmcc and can PREVENT suitcase mode) +
BMCC with cage + SSD (around 6.9 lbs or so)




I HAVE used a gimbal before (I owned a Besteady One) and I find the holding both the Letus and the Besteady comparable in how it tires you out. This is great considering one is 5-6lbs and the other is 15lbs +.
Currently I believe the SDI cable definitely needs to be a thin SDI cable. I'm ordering one right now though can't seem to find one that's 12 inches, will probably get an 18" one.

The customer service at Letus was amazing. My friends and I drove 3 hours from Seattle. We planned on staying for 30 minutes. We stayed for almost 3 hours. They ordered us pizza! I find that the basecam software is much more "manual and requires you learn it" compared to the Besteady one. In essence, the Besteady's software is easier to use but the Letus is significantly easier to physically handle. The Besteady would act up and so forth.

We're finding balancing harder than we expected though that might have to do with the SDI cable. My younger brother can get the whole system balanced in about one minute. I'm going to wait until he gets back to help me.
Tonight I will test with only the camera. Tomorrow we're going to have a training session with Letus online.

Overall I'm a big fan of the company but right now the calibration at letus produced steadier footage than what we can do though we have NOT used the software to calibrate it. It allows for the standard modification that gyros allow for but it is something I was not familiar with. At this point I'm interested in what futures hold for this in addition to finding a case (maybe cheap Pelican 1510).

 

[Jiri Vrozina]

Hmm, it moves a bit...not as steady as i thought. Time to reconsider Ronin again.

 

[Matt Ryan]

Out of curiosity do owners/users find that the software isn't easy enough to configure or there's too many options or too few refinements? From seeing sample footage thus far nothing has been exciting looking from an outsider pov. The Helix by far has the best thought out design, but the footage just isn't as solid as some of the other gimbals. Is this just a software thing?

 

[Note Suwanchote]

Out of curiosity do owners/users find that the software isn't easy enough to configure or there's too many options or too few refinements? From seeing sample footage thus far nothing has been exciting looking from an outsider pov. The Helix by far has the best thought out design, but the footage just isn't as solid as some of the other gimbals. Is this just a software thing?

The software is simplebcg but it is something I have not used before.
To me the Helix when properly configured matches or exceeds the others. They all need vertical compensation.

But you guys have to remember, the footage I posted is NOT the helix I got. The one I got I will post footage hopefully tonight.

Here is the Besteady One with the pocket that I shot about 8-10 months ago

 

[Matt Ryan]

The software is simplebcg but it is something I have not used before.
To me the Helix when properly configured matches or exceeds the others. They all need vertical compensation.

But you guys have to remember, the footage I posted is NOT the helix I got. The one I got I will post footage hopefully tonight.

Here is the Besteady One with the pocket that I shot about 8-10 months ago

Understandable, but every BeSteady clip I have seen has been pretty rock solid. It's the closest thing I've seen to the Movi. Your samples of the BS1 look 10x more stable than the Helix sample you posted (and doesn't show footsteps as much with also having solid pans that aren't jerky). The motion and movement of the BS1 looks far more fluid. I understand it's early days for the Helix, just want to get a feel of what it will take to get it solid.

 

[Note Suwanchote]

Understandable, but every BeSteady clip I have seen has been pretty rock solid. It's the closest thing I've seen to the Movi. Your samples of the BS1 look 10x more stable than the Helix sample you posted (and doesn't show footsteps as much with also having solid pans that aren't jerky). The motion and movement of the BS1 looks far more fluid. I understand it's early days for the Helix, just want to get a feel of what it will take to get it solid.

Definitely understand. Tomorrow I'll look at the training session. I'm not apart of the super secret forums therefore can't allude to anything in the near future. I still do hope to provide some footage later tonight (waiting for my brother to get back).

 

[constantine Tirintzis]

Constantine,

Either you or me, we should make a mount for the Serene that mount on the 2 ends of the 4th axis cross bar. It's a good concept Constantine. We can even bypass the 4th Axis and mount it somewhere on both handles of the 3 axis config that can be quickly released for the suitcase mode. What do you think?

Hello hien I have just pmed you about the Serene adaptation on the Helix for easyrig use.

its just some simple dimensional questions, that will help on looking at several ideas on how to do this .

kind regards.

 

[PC Greene]

Thank you GT. You've been such a pleasure to work with & indeed your training session made a world of difference for us. I couldn't be happier with our decision to invest in Letus & Helix and just had a very successful run & gun shoot this past weekend after only spending a few hours time to balance & learn software - which is in itself amazing & a testament to an amazing product & world class support.

Thank you,

The reason I have not sent out the manual with the Helix is because I've talked to many Movi users who said the MOVI manual while very nice, was not that helpful in reality. Also, although the Helix is considered an gimbals, yet due to its difference in the physical design, the way one use it is inherently different from the other gimbals. Due to those factors, we sent out rough guidelines on how to initially set up the system with the intention of following up with further one-on-one coaching sessions. We also have Video conferencing group training sessions. In my experience, those who attended my training session are the one who most successful in setting up the Helix and now are happy out shooting and playing with their Helixes elsewhere but here

1) Here is the link to the links to some of those initial set up guidelines we've broken up in smaller session for quick access. There are more in-depth instructions coming soon. My current page count for the manual is around 50 and it keeps growing. I'm compiling these instruction from my coaching experience with early users. I find that because I was a part of the designing team from the beginning, I'm not always mindful that many things that seems obvious to me are not to the user who were not a part of the designing team (Doh!) and these training sessions has help me to write a more practical manual I hope.

2) By various carrying styles, do you mean cradle mode versus suite case mode? If that is the case, then no. This is why it's crucial to have the set up balanced. Once the system is balanced, whatever position you put it in, it should stay balance and hence require the same torque to correct for deviations. That means same controlling setting. The POWER/ P,I and D value change with your camera setup (payload and and accessories configurations).

Hope this explain your questions

 

[PC Greene]

While I can't see video clip you're referring to, I assure you helix form factor is superior to copter style gimbals and shake in footage is likely from user skill or possibly using less than optimal software settings...both of which are easily addressable.

Thank you,

Hmm, it moves a bit...not as steady as i thought. Time to reconsider Ronin again.

 

[PC Greene]

I believe it is...and / or is an issue of handling technique.

Out of curiosity do owners/users find that the software isn't easy enough to configure or there's too many options or too few refinements? From seeing sample footage thus far nothing has been exciting looking from an outsider pov. The Helix by far has the best thought out design, but the footage just isn't as solid as some of the other gimbals. Is this just a software thing?

 

[GT Le]

Thank you very much. I enjoy meeting you all even with the occasional teasing in the training sessions

Thank you GT. You have been such a pleasure to work with & indeed your training session made a world of difference for us. I couldn't be happier with our decision to invest in Letus & Helix and just had a very successful run & gun shoot this past weekend after only spending a few hours time to balance & learn software - which is in itself amazing & a testament to an amazing product & world class support.

Thank you,