darwinandpaine
Well-known member
I've been buying equipment like a madman lately, and I thought it might be valuable to share my opinions (perhaps not, but let's see).
Cavision MB4169H-2M Hard Shade, 2 filter stage matte box and 4 x4, 5 filter set
http://www.cavision.com/matteboxes/4x5hs/4x5hs.htm
http://www.cavision.com/filters/cavision.htm
I had bought from Cavision before and felt comfortable buying this matte box from them. But, when I got it, I was really impressed by the quality. It feels solid and is well designed. It takes 4 x 4 and and 4 x 5.65 filter trays and one of those filters can rotate 360 degrees -- the other being fixed in position. I got it with the French and side flags and also bought their 4 x4, 5 filter set with it (ND Grad, Blue Grad, Orange Grad, Soft Mist, and Polarizer). The filters come in individual carrying cases that velcro shut and the filters themselves are wrapped in soft cloth inside. Altogether a great package for the price IMO (around $900 for everything). Highly recommended!
NOTE: With the French and side flags on this thing, the HVX looks absolutely awesome. http://15minuteslatermovie.com/hvxrig.html
Flolight Flo-1400
http://flolight.com/flo1400.htm
On Jared's recommendation, I decided to purchase a Flolight. I have a Lowel Caselight and Scandle and am sold on florescent lighting. The appeal of the Flolight is its price. For $499 you can get a light with a CRI of 86 that puts out 28,800 lumens and uses only 330 watts (i.e.; it runs pretty cool). It uses six 55 watt biax lamps (switchable in pairs) and comes with an egg crate and diffuser. To me, the switchable pairs, egg crate and diffuser make it almost as good as a dimmable light (though admittedly more of a pain).
My first thought when I received it, was that it looked a little low rent. It's no Kino, and it's doesn't even come close to my Lowel's in terms of looking "professional." However, it certainly does the job. The light is big, broad, soft and quite beautiful.
On the downside, you cannot focus the light (obviously), and it doesn't come with barn doors, etc... The light doesn't come with a case either, so that's something to factor in (btw, the good people at Flolight tell me that they are working on cases for these lights, but they will add to the cost). The cord is also rather short and attached to the the unit. Finally, the light's power switches are on the light itself, making it difficult to turn on and off when placed up a ways. And, there is no one on/off switch to turn all of them on or off at once (all of which I'm used to with my Lowels). These minor inconveniences aside, I can't complain. For $499, this is a terrific light. Highly recommended for low budget shooters.
NOTE: I'm not, in any way, connected with either of these companies. Nor do I have any kind of deal with these companies to provide good reviews of their products on sites like this. I just feel like I've gotten so much from DVXUser.com and all of the people here who have been so helpful, that I wanted to give a little something back. Enjoy!
Cavision MB4169H-2M Hard Shade, 2 filter stage matte box and 4 x4, 5 filter set
http://www.cavision.com/matteboxes/4x5hs/4x5hs.htm
http://www.cavision.com/filters/cavision.htm
I had bought from Cavision before and felt comfortable buying this matte box from them. But, when I got it, I was really impressed by the quality. It feels solid and is well designed. It takes 4 x 4 and and 4 x 5.65 filter trays and one of those filters can rotate 360 degrees -- the other being fixed in position. I got it with the French and side flags and also bought their 4 x4, 5 filter set with it (ND Grad, Blue Grad, Orange Grad, Soft Mist, and Polarizer). The filters come in individual carrying cases that velcro shut and the filters themselves are wrapped in soft cloth inside. Altogether a great package for the price IMO (around $900 for everything). Highly recommended!
NOTE: With the French and side flags on this thing, the HVX looks absolutely awesome. http://15minuteslatermovie.com/hvxrig.html
Flolight Flo-1400
http://flolight.com/flo1400.htm
On Jared's recommendation, I decided to purchase a Flolight. I have a Lowel Caselight and Scandle and am sold on florescent lighting. The appeal of the Flolight is its price. For $499 you can get a light with a CRI of 86 that puts out 28,800 lumens and uses only 330 watts (i.e.; it runs pretty cool). It uses six 55 watt biax lamps (switchable in pairs) and comes with an egg crate and diffuser. To me, the switchable pairs, egg crate and diffuser make it almost as good as a dimmable light (though admittedly more of a pain).
My first thought when I received it, was that it looked a little low rent. It's no Kino, and it's doesn't even come close to my Lowel's in terms of looking "professional." However, it certainly does the job. The light is big, broad, soft and quite beautiful.
On the downside, you cannot focus the light (obviously), and it doesn't come with barn doors, etc... The light doesn't come with a case either, so that's something to factor in (btw, the good people at Flolight tell me that they are working on cases for these lights, but they will add to the cost). The cord is also rather short and attached to the the unit. Finally, the light's power switches are on the light itself, making it difficult to turn on and off when placed up a ways. And, there is no one on/off switch to turn all of them on or off at once (all of which I'm used to with my Lowels). These minor inconveniences aside, I can't complain. For $499, this is a terrific light. Highly recommended for low budget shooters.
NOTE: I'm not, in any way, connected with either of these companies. Nor do I have any kind of deal with these companies to provide good reviews of their products on sites like this. I just feel like I've gotten so much from DVXUser.com and all of the people here who have been so helpful, that I wanted to give a little something back. Enjoy!
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