Indie Snap! HD Matte Box Reveiw

People are going to be learning a lot about how light can smack the back of a filter from behind and fog your shots with this piece of gear.

If you buy this, make sure you also buy a 2" roll of black paper tape also.
 
nateweaver said:
People are going to be learning a lot about how light can smack the back of a filter from behind and fog your shots with this piece of gear.

If you buy this, make sure you also buy a 2" roll of black paper tape also.
Click to expand...


I actually thought of that too after the review was done. Some sort of tape is indeed going to be handy with this.

It's much easier to tape the gaps, though, than to jury-rig a matte box with black aluminum foil. (I speak from experience!) So far I have not actually run into this back-glow problem. Usually (for my work) the lights are not behind or under the camera. Helpful to keep in mind when considering this product, though.
 
The french flag at the top of the Mattbox looks rigid.
Are you able to adjust it? Does it have a hinged joint, or can one be added?

nice review!

Jeff Patnaude
 
The flags on the top and sides are indeed rigid, with no hinge--that is part of the tradeoff. I suppose someone out there could come up with an ingenious (and cheap!) workaround. Having said that, it is not a bad set of angles as is.

Besides, for a production unit, I'd rather not add any more to the price tag.
 
lpcvideo1 said:
... for a production unit, I'd rather not add any more to the price tag.
Click to expand...

That was exactly my intentions. No need to add to the costs as it defeats the purpose. Believe me - I spent a small fortune and countless hours trying to work in adjustable flags. Just couldn't be done and keep the price where it's at. My goal was not to put a $600 kit out there, but one at half that price. As Chris notes, the angles as they are work well.
 
Okay, I just placed an order for this and was reading the page again. It warns that sometimes the filter size on the lens and the hood are different. Is this the case with the HVX200 (I just requested an 82mm size)?

Also, I want to order a Pelican case that can hold the camera, this matte box, batteries, charger, cables, FS-100, and two P2 cards. What are the dimensions of the matte box with all 3 flags attached?
 
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Just to be clear... so if you rotate the mattebox (for a polarizer), the HVX's built-in mic does not get in the way, right?
 
flmmkr said:
Also, I want to order a Pelican case that can hold the camera, this matte box, batteries, charger, cables, FS-100, and two P2 cards. What are the dimensions of the matte box with all 3 flags attached?
Click to expand...

Without the flags:
11" x 7.5" x 3" (28cm x 19cm x 7.5cm)​

With Flags:
17" x 11.5" x 7" (43cm x 29cm x 18cm)​

I have the Pelican 1610 and I don't think it would be big enough--barely too small with all the flags on. Besides, I would want something where the foam will allow the matte box plenty of clearance--you don't want to put torque or any stress on the aluminum. That's alot of case. It would help if you took the top flag off, I suppose. That shaves off about an inch and a half.

R Gale said:
Just to be clear... so if you rotate the mattebox (for a polarizer), the HVX's built-in mic does not get in the way, right?
Click to expand...

Correct.
 
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I'd like to order the Hdmatte box. However, it seems the link is only for the DV version. Are they actually the same thing with different adapters?
 
DVX user discount

DVX user discount

Hi Dakotapod,

I see the discount page for the DV mattebox but don't for the HD version. Is the $329 price for the HD mattebox the discount price for DVX users?

thanks in advance,
 
great review, already ordered, cant wait till mine gets here.. mabye i'll review the regular DV version
 
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