Welcome to our community

Be a part of something great, join today!

Log in
  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Letus Gimbal

Terry VerHaar said:
Because I am one of these lucky "early birds," I feel the need to provide a status report.

I expected my Helix Monday morning, and planned accordingly, but Fedex had other ideas and I ended up getting it late on Tuesday afternoon. This morning (Wed) at 6 AM when I was able to open it up and check things out I quickly realized that this was a piece of professional equipment, more like a RED camera than a Kodak instamatic. The long and the short of it is that it will take bit of time to configure and balance it, and get a sense of how it behaves. Since I have somewhat limited time for the remainder of the week, I hope I won't become hugely unpopular because I don't get footage up right away.

First impressions are that it is as well built as it looks in the pictures and the case is a very nice Pelican 1600 with a custom cut for the full 4 axis set-up and plenty of accessories. I screwed up and forgot to order a custom RED/lemo power cable so I am asking that to be sent ASAP. If I don't get it right away, I'll test things out flying a Side Handle with a Redvolt. Might be a good way to go in some situations anyway. Deciding exactly the best way to set the camera up might actually end up being the most time consuming and important exercise since weight and balance will be so important when flying something like this without support.

Gotta run now but I'll try to share more thoughts later...
Click to expand...
thanks for the quick insight Terry, I appreciate it! The reason I asked is because the Ronin preorder ends at the end of the month but looking at it now its pretty far away. I agree about the learning curve, when my Besteady arrived, it was not "plug and plug" / "easy button". But the toolbox analogy is great for a gimbal can really do.
 
Nick Fury said:
Right there on a Unit/kg basis, with Ronin.
Click to expand...

He is talking about the Ronin - I think he got his threads little confused... ;o)

But speaking of which - does anyone have a info about the Helix weight for 1-axis, 3-axis and 4-axis setups including battery?

:sifone: Peter
 
Terry VerHaar said:
Don't hate me but I set my Helix aside for the afternoon so I could go watch Tim Lincecum pitch a no-hitter for the SF Giants. Very cool. :smiley:
Click to expand...

The "Freak"!!

Take your time Terry - there's no rush and we all know what gimbal footage looks like at this point since there is a year's worth of Movi clips out there. Real question is how much time the individual user want's to committ to learning a new craft and work through the rough edges of a new product. I'm thinking that unless you are willing to invest 300+ hours into a new technology then skip it. Without that minimum time investment you won't be good enough to bill for your hours. For me it's like flying an Octo - it's worth the time and crashes to learn what others are not willing or able to do.
 
Zeb B said:
The "Freak"!!

Take your time Terry - there's no rush and we all know what gimbal footage looks like at this point since there is a year's worth of Movi clips out there. Real question is how much time the individual user want's to committ to learning a new craft and work through the rough edges of a new product. I'm thinking that unless you are willing to invest 300+ hours into a new technology then skip it. Without that minimum time investment you won't be good enough to bill for your hours. For me it's like flying an Octo - it's worth the time and crashes to learn what others are not willing or able to do.
Click to expand...

Well aren't you the rosy optimist! lol Good thing I am a fast learner. I'll have this thing mastered in no time! (Or die trying... whichever comes first.)
 
Last edited:
Zeb - I am honestly looking forward to unbiased comparison between the two without any prejudice. What does strike me as weird is that you have singlehandedly initiated one of the largest group-buys on this forum - and it was for the "yoke" design that you now seem to despise... ;o)
I am personally really interested in buying a 1-axis Helix specifically for Steadicam operation. That thing was made for it and no other gimbal offers the "splitting" of the axis. Respect to Lotus team...

:sifone: Peter
 
In regards to despising the yoke design...Zeb saw the light when he visited Letus hehe ;-)
 
Peter Majtan said:
Zeb - I am honestly looking forward to unbiased comparison between the two without any prejudice. What does strike me as weird is that you have singlehandedly initiated one of the largest group-buys on this forum - and it was for the "yoke" design that you now seem to despise... ;o)
I am personally really interested in buying a 1-axis Helix specifically for Steadicam operation. That thing was made for it and no other gimbal offers the "splitting" of the axis. Respect to Lotus team...

:sifone: Peter
Click to expand...

Would have been a record Group Buy if Team Yokem didn't drop the ball on the 1 yard line ;-)

All good Mate - there's plenty of market for everyone. Those users who want Ready to Fly unit might do best with DJI - mass market of easy to use consumer products is what they do. Those who want the most Creative Options made by a Cine centric boutique company (but are willing to commit to some learning curve and be patient) might do best with Helix. In the end the Ronin might be like a Canon and the Helix like a RED. Time will tell.

btw . . . 2 large Peli cases just to carry the Roninl? Really??
 
Zeb B said:
Those users who want Ready to Fly unit might do best with DJI - mass market of easy to use consumer products is what they do.
Click to expand...

I beg to differ. Yes - the consumer side of what they do is the most visible due to the sheer volumes, but my $13K Ace One Waypoint flight control system on my Bergen Turbine Observer is a testament (one of many) to the high quality of design, engineering and manufacture DJI has been providing for years to the "pro" market...
To write off DJI as "consumer" company (especially when we are talking the Ronin here) is like picking on RED because they are selling cheap T-shirts and stickers, who cares about the Dragon... ;o)
There is no other company in the world with more experience with camera gimbal stabilisation. Period...

Zeb B said:
btw . . . 2 large Peli cases just to carry the Roninl? Really??
Click to expand...

Where did you get this misleading info from? The Ronin fits into single case (⅔ size of the original RED ONE case) with all its accessories, stand, remote controller, FIZ, HD video and even a 7" monitor...

:sifone: Peter
 
Zeb B said:
Yes I am optimistic. . . 300 hours is only 3% of the "10,000 Hour Rule":

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outliers_(book)

Don't let Peter and Ketch beat us . . . that would be sooooo upsetting ;-)
Click to expand...

I know. I kid. The Outliers is a great book. I've read it more than once and I fully expect it will take 10,000 hours to be the Zen master of the Helix. Hopefully, I can get some usable results before that. If just to beat Peter and Ketch. :yesnod:http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/
 
This is my first post, as I have decided to try and just read and learn from all the experts on here. But I can't resist.. how is it that the first batch of Helix has shipped and yet, I can't find one piece of footage shot with it online? I admit, I reserved one based on other letus gear I have owned. But this has me a little worried when its all tabletop tradeshow videos online, and no real world owner footage...
 
Matt, the first Helix were just shipped out less than a week ago…most first batch purchasers are just getting them now.
 
Peter Majtan said:
I beg to differ. Yes - the consumer side of what they do is the most visible due to the sheer volumes, but my $13K Ace One Waypoint flight control system on my Bergen Turbine Observer is a testament (one of many) to the high quality of design, engineering and manufacture DJI has been providing for years to the "pro" market...
To write off DJI as "consumer" company (especially when we are talking the Ronin here) is like picking on RED because they are selling cheap T-shirts and stickers, who cares about the Dragon... ;o)
There is no other company in the world with more experience with camera gimbal stabilisation. Period...



Where did you get this misleading info from? The Ronin fits into single case (⅔ size of the original RED ONE case) with all its accessories, stand, remote controller, FIZ, HD video and even a 7" monitor...

:sifone: Peter
Click to expand...

Hey Peter.

I purchased a Helix at full group buy price. I support Letus because they are small, family owned, Portland USA based company that is very in tuned with my personal business ethics and needs. They are 1% the size of DJI yet are very much in the game because they are Innovators - not reverse engineering copycats. I find that very cool, appealing and similar to RED. Hein and his family represent The American Dream story which I also find very compelling.

I get it that DJI hooked you up with a free beta unit with the understanding that you will post positive feedback and be an exclusive brand advocate. I chose not to take that deal. Do your job but let's not camp out on the Letus thread picking fights and parsing words.

Remember, I started the Ronin Group Buy that you, Ketch and RU's are enjoying the fruits of. Your welcome ;-)

Keep it classy
 
Here are the weights- all axis separate, my 2/3 axis includes the battery cage. 4th axis does not include handle as I didn't receive one and does not include Steadicam or Devitte mount ( I love saying that in the same sentence with Steadicam). Lipo battery separate. All weights in lbs.

1 axis 3.01
2/3 axis 3.53
4 axis 1.80

Lipo 1.01

So lightest 3 axis weight is 6.54. A little heavier than hoped for but doesn't feel heavy.

I have not yet mounted an Epic- that won't happen till next week.

I fiddled but just a bit with GH4, 1D C, and C500/Od7q.

The GH4 and 1D C require counter weights. GH4 very light, but not the camera that the 1D C is.

The C500 though heavier, because of the way it is almost square, and balances by sliding the Od7q side to side, feels the most natural and doesn't need the counter weights.

All of this very preliminary but I do have a list of questions for Hi.

I feel that this is evolving into the ultimate bespoke platform where you will be able to tailor it to the nth degree.
 
b
Matt Huesmann said:
This is my first post, as I have decided to try and just read and learn from all the experts on here. But I can't resist.. how is it that the first batch of Helix has shipped and yet, I can't find one piece of footage shot with it online? I admit, I reserved one based on other letus gear I have owned. But this has me a little worried when its all tabletop tradeshow videos online, and no real world owner footage...
Click to expand...

Hi Matt and Kevin, I don't think that I am alone in feeling this- I learned early in my career to keep it in the can till you get it right, or the money runs out and the producer has a gun on you. So the first footage you see from me will be of course be open to criticism, but it won't be something that comes back to haunt me ( or Letus, thx Zeb) professionally.
 
Last edited:
scott devitte said:
Here are the weights- all axis separate, my 2/3 axis includes the battery cage. 4th axis does not include handle as I didn't receive one and does not include Steadicam or Devitte mount ( I love saying that in the same sentence with Steadicam). Lipo battery separate. All weights in lbs.

1 axis 3.01
2/3 axis 3.53
4 axis 1.80

Lipo 1.01

So lightest 3 axis weight is 6.54. A little heavier than hoped for but doesn't feel heavy.

I have not yet mounted an Epic- that won't happen till next week.

I fiddled but just a bit with GH4, 1D C, and C500/Od7q.

The GH4 and 1D C require counter weights. GH4 very light, but not the camera that the 1D C is.

The C500 though heavier, because of the way it is almost square, and balances by sliding the Od7q side to side, feels the most natural and doesn't need the counter weights.

All of this very preliminary but I do have a list of questions for Hi.

I feel that this is evolving into the ultimate bespoke platform where you will be able to tailor it to the nth degree.
Click to expand...

Great work! Weight is one thing . . . ergonomics to carry that weight is another. I find the carry height, short frame depth (unlike yoke designs) and shoulder width hand position of the Helix makes it feel much lighter than the numbers suggest. You really have to demo the Helix against the common yoke design to have that "ahhhh" moment. You can lock in your elbows to your body making it very stable and easier on the back. That and you can remove any axis you don't need. I plan to use it as a 1 axis at times on my Raptor arm just to take out hip swing.

The GH4 on Helix is a all day shooting remote location doc beast! Pack the 3 zooms: 7-14mm, 12-35mm and 35-100mm and maybe a Voit 25mm F-.95 and you have a lightweight kit that, while no Dragon, gets it done for Vimeo delivered projects. I'm working with Hein on a sexy mount for the SmallHD / Rode mic that should allow it to all be balanced with no counter weights.

Cheers!
 
Matt Huesmann said:
This is my first post, as I have decided to try and just read and learn from all the experts on here. But I can't resist.. how is it that the first batch of Helix has shipped and yet, I can't find one piece of footage shot with it online? I admit, I reserved one based on other letus gear I have owned. But this has me a little worried when its all tabletop tradeshow videos online, and no real world owner footage...
Click to expand...

I'll be doing a one day shoot/cut/color crew of one short bit by this weekend. Remember that the final design of Helix was completed like a month ago. Little changes are still being made. Nothing behind the curtain other than busy folks trying to do their best.

Unlike the big offshore companies and GoPro - Helix owners don't have a full production unit making slick promo reels - they are working professionals that bought a piece of gear to put it to billable work. There is also pressure not to post something that is mistaken as a product flaw since there are aggressive advocates from other gimbal manufacturers here on RU that will pounce on it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top