Cavision is a small Canadian company that has become famous for their quality Director's Viewfinders, Carbon boom poles, Filters and Matte boxes. They sent over a 4x4 bellows Matte Box for us to test to see how it holds up on Panasonic's DVX100.

      Matte boxes are primarily used to cut stray light from entering the lens and bouncing off the elements which creates flares and sometimes exposure irregularities. Also, most offer the user a fast and easy way to switch filters without needing to screw/unscrew each filter for a change. It also increases the Sex appeal of your rig twofold.

     In the Package we received was the 4x4 Matte box with French Flag, Carbon Fibre Support Rods with assembly, two filter holders and a dual grip handle. We also were provided a 72mm adapter ring to attach to the DVX. Of notice is the incredible feathery weight of the rods.

Box contents (left) and Adapter ring (right).

    Assembly of the Matte box and Attachment was quite straightforward, however I found myself handling the DVX a little more discourteous than it is accustomed too. Perhaps this maltreatment was due to the excitement of images of the finished construction dancing though my head, or perhaps it is the only way it can be done.

The front clamp screw (left) never did clamp. The bottom rod assembly (right) mounted to camera. There is an additionally 1/4" thread to attach to Tripod.

     The only problem I had was at the very front of the matte box where the smaller diameter rods attach to the front of the bellows. No matter how hard I tightened that bolt there was no chance of it securing the system. This resulted in the bellows never being tight enough at the front, allowing the bellows to "slouch" and move back and forth freely. I contacted Cavision, and they have resolved this issue for future systems by blocking off the front of the mounting holes.

     The rod system is secured to the camera via a standard 1/4" screw, and an adjustable peg is then rotated up into the anti-rotation hole of the DVX. This must be done in that order, as the peg is too large for the DVX and if it is engaged before the main bolt is secure it will be ineffective.

     The bellows is attached to the front lens by screwing on the adapter, then tightening the bellows to the adapter via a thumb clamp.

Front thread adapter mounted to DVX (left). Bellows attached to adapter (right) Please note a UV filter was used during the photo session to protect the lens, it should not be used during normal operation.

      Ahh. With the system assembled I took a step back and was very proud of the makeover my little DVX underwent. This camera looked mean... To the point where i wanted to invite people over just to look at it. And I am sure there is a percentage of people who buy Matte boxes for this alone.

Side view of Assembly with grips (left); and view from above (right).

      One of the most useful aspects of a Matte box is fast and creative use of filters. The Cavision system has two filter slots, one stationary and one that rotates 180 degrees to accommodate Polarizers and Gradient filters. The filters are slid into the holders and secured by sliding down a small pressure slider.

Compression pin secures the filter (left) to the filter holder. The filter is inserted into either the stationary or rotating slot and freely rotated (right) .

     We used Cavision's own resin sunset filter for this review, and for a $20 filter it appeared quite accurate. When the filters are inserted into the Matte box you can vertically adjust and rotate as needed for your desired effect. The holder mechanism felt a little tight, but there is an adjustment screw on the side to adjust the friction.

Cavision's sunset filter in holder (left). Filter holders in various positions (right).

     The French flag was full, and offered quite alot of light control when positioned. It creates a pretty good seal when closed and tightened to protect your optics during transport.

French flag was very large, providing exceptional top light control.

     Now to turn the camera on. We were surprised to notice that the bellows needed to be almost completely retracted to avoid the frame being obstructed. Now the point of the bellows is just this, but because of the DVX wide lens, The bellows needed to be pulled back to an "unnatural" degree. Luckily, the huge French flag provides adequate blocking for almost any situation, although on this camera the bellows function becomes pretty inoperative.

Bellows extending (left). French Flag raised high (right)

     We noticed that there was vignette in the non-safe areas of the image, although they are not shown on the viewfinder (the DVX LCD doesn't display the full image captured) We thought it was the Matte box but it turned out to be the 72mm Lens Adapter. Since the DVX is so wide we assume that this adapter was more designed for an XL1 lens. Luckily, this appears outside the safe areas, but for any full image application it is quite noticeable.

An exaggerated over-exposed example (left) showing by shadows the effect of how uneven stray light can enter the matte box, but flares are eliminated where would be apparent with the DVX standard sun shade. Slight vignette (right) is shown from the thread adapter.

     We did love the new control we had in bright situations using the Matte box, You would be amazed how much stray light falls onto the lens with the standard DVX shade, and you can tell by the immediate F-Stop differences.

     All in all, the Cavision Matte box is a in interesting Attachment for the DVX. Although the bellows is restricted in it's use, the solid rotational filter design and stealth Carbon rod system is above par.

     The system is a valuable tool for situations where critical light control is a must, although I would take a closer look at their 3x3 solid matte box, it may be a better match to the DVX.

- special thanks to Jason from Cavision for providing the Product for review.