Letus Color Temp & ND Fader Test

Wed, Jan 18 2012 08:12 | Fader, Epic, Red, ND, Letus, Color Temp, Getting Elemental | Permalink

[HIGHLY RECOMMEND WATCHING IN FULL SCREEN]The video above contains sample footage along with my thoughts on the Letus Color Temp & ND Fader. Don't have time to watch the video? Below is a quick summary of what I found.
The Letus Color Temp & ND Fader Summary-
Overall-I like that I can use it in a standard matte box that has 138mm and 4 x 5.65 filters. And I really like that it is marked, allowing for precise and repeatable results. The markings on the 138mm are best suited with the Letus Matte Box, which has a window to view the position of the 138mm filter. But best of all is the Color Temp. Fader abilities - I have never seen anything quite like it!
ND Fader

Typical ND fader, but now in cinema sizes of 138mm and 4 x 5.65 filters.
Blocks up to about 9 stops (2.7 ND) of light
If shooting with an IR sensitive camera, you will need IR filtration at heavier levels of ND blocking. (IRND Test seen here.)

Color Fader

Same idea as the ND fader, only in color temperature. It is adjustable from no color shift to blue (daylight) to orange (tungsten).
Great way to optically color balance the image, making for cleaner imagery with less post processing needed.
Helpful tool for those shooting with any Red camera. (Red One, Epic, or Scarlet.)
Can be used to help create a look in camera. (As seen in the video above.) Optically warm up or cool down and image.
Good addition to a set of coral filters. Not a replacement for the corals, as it has a different warmth to it.
At 180 degrees off axis from the sun, there is some darkening of the image due to the nature of the polarizing of the light.

Until Next Time - Get Out There And Shoot!

Ryan E. Walters, Cinematographer

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