questions about Matt box and anamorphic lenses

[shaun_au]

After spending a couple of hours everyday reading posts on this forum for about 2 weeks, I noticed a lot people talk about add on matt box and anamorphic lense a lot. I'm a little confused about those two things. They're somewhat related to each other base on my very limited knowledge about the two. So I'm going to ask a few questions around. Please jump in and help me to clarify those things. Thanks! ;D

1. What is a matt box? Does it do just what it seems to do by blocking the top and bottom portion of your 3:4 TV screen in order to create a wide screen effect like movies? ::)

2. If that what's matt boxes do, why don't you guys just use the 16:9 feature provided by DVX100A? Is it because it's not native? So using 100A's 16:9, you're not using a full 1/3" CCD, only a cropped CCD? ???

3. What does an anamorphic lens like AG-LA7200G do? Does it also create a wide screen 16:9 effect by using a full chip rather than the cropped 16:9 100A comes with? ::) But matt box does the samething based on my assumption. So which is better? Matt box or anamorphic lens?

4. About "Vignetting". I assume the term "vignetting" in cinematography/videography is same as in Photography. I'm shoot a lot of landscape photos. I know if I keep adding up filters in front of the lens(UV, Polarizing,etc.), I will get those dark "vigneeting" on the corners of my photos. So the video "Vignetting" is a similar problem because you're add things(such as anamorphic lens) in front of your stock lenses, right?

5. What is this "squeez mode" you guys been talking about? That also has something to do with 16:9, correct? Sorry, I don't have a DVX100A. But I'm about to buy one pretty soon. So getting to know more and more about the camera will help me to understand what I'm about to get. That's also a part of my pre-purchase research :D

Can anyone help me to answer those questions in plain english? Thanks!!!

[bvalente]

Shaun:

I will do my best to answer your questions concisely with my limited knowledge:

1) Matte Box: Really has some basic purposes: 1) to shield the lens from sun and other light sources so you don't get lens flare, 2) provides a way to add high-quality, larger format filters (typically 3x3 or 4x4 size). True the matte box has the ability to block the shot to achieve a letterbox effect, but for the dvx that is a bit extraneous

2) see #1 - a matte box's primary features are not that IMHO

3) anamorphic lens provides an optical squeeze to fit a 16:9 onto a 4:3 chip, thereby creating a 16:9 picture that has maximum resolution. The two aren't really comparable in terms of approach. What is a better comparison is the letterbox vs. anamorphic lens. I refer you to Barry's excellent book and adam wilt's website for a more full treatment of anamorphic. But to be brief, IMHO if you want to shoot high quality 16:9 you should get the anamorphic. There are other approaches but anamorphic is highest quality.

4. yes that is my understanding as well.

5. squeeze mode is a feature of dvx100a (not stock dvx100) that digitally creates a 16:9 onto the 4:3 chip. Since it's digital rather than optical, the quality is less than the anamorphic lens. Again I highly recommend barry's book (there are ads on this website for it) as the best possible investment you can make if you plan to shoot with the dvx. good luck

[shaun_au]

bvalente,

Thanks for the answers! ;D The cloud on my head has cleared up!

Yep, I'm going to buy a DVX100A soon, and that should definitely comes with Barry's book and other cool stuff!.

BTW, is it possible to rent an anamorphic add-on lens like AG-LA7200G? I won't have an extra $1000 for a lens after the DVX100A purchase. :'(

Thanks again.

[Bill_Bolton]

Shaun, are you going make a film that is to be shown on the big screen right out of the box? If you are, then the ana adapter is for you. If however, you are going to make a few films first for DVD, TV, webcast, or whatever, then you might want to wait a bit for the ana adapter. Some rental shops will rent the lens but that is a local issue best taken up with your local rental house.

A matte box (I have the Chrosziel) allows you more control over light spill and it has provisions for filters which are an essential element of your cinematic toolbox.

Instead of buying the Ana adapter, I bought the Century WA and I am quite pleased.

Good luck
Bill