just got an HVX200! What's a good matte box?

I have the Vocas MB-250, which has 2 filter positions, one is a rotating stage, plus two internal eyebrows that help to further control the light incoming. Coes with rails and a French Flag, $1395 or so on a list price basis and the Follow Focus, is $1495.

Hope that helps,

Jan
 
The Vocas looks very nice; I have not actually used it. I tested the Zacuto system with their baseplate, rails and Petroff mattebox. Mind you, this is a pricey solution but it is rock solid. The Zacuto baseplate is adjustable on both horizontal and vertical axes for nearly-perfect alignment of lens and mattebox. The Petroff box also has two filter positions which can be rotated separately or together. Very impressive set up.

I'll have more to say about it an upcoming article.

Ned Soltz
 
David S. said:
Recommendation for one without rails.
Click to expand...

I would not use a matte box that is supporting filters on the HVX200 or the DVX100 without rails for support. It puts a strain on the joint between the camera and the lens and you could end up with your lens in one hand and your camera in another. It is just not a ecommended practice. Now if you are not going to put filters into it, well that is different and there should be no problem. keep in mind that the lens breaking away from the body is not a warranty repair.

Best,

jan
 
Thanks to all of you. You're all great! Thanks for the info about the book, your
notes, and the specific point about the rails as I do like to use filters.
 
Jan,

Above, you wrote, "...It puts a strain on the joint between the camera and the lens and you could end up with your lens in one hand and your camera in another. It is just not a ecommended practice."

I've recently invested in two Century adaptors designed for the HVX - the 1.6 tele, and the .7 wide, both of which are rather massive, and attach via the Bayonette (plastic) lens mount on the HVX.

It seems obvious that one would want to handle the HVX gently while one of these is on the front end. Beyond that, any thoughts you can share -- do these things make you concerned in the same way as the matte box you describe above, in terms of long-term camera health?

Thanks!
 
dvxStephen said:
Jan,

Above, you wrote, "...It puts a strain on the joint between the camera and the lens and you could end up with your lens in one hand and your camera in another. It is just not a ecommended practice."

I've recently invested in two Century adaptors designed for the HVX - the 1.6 tele, and the .7 wide, both of which are rather massive, and attach via the Bayonette (plastic) lens mount on the HVX.

It seems obvious that one would want to handle the HVX gently while one of these is on the front end. Beyond that, any thoughts you can share -- do these things make you concerned in the same way as the matte box you describe above, in terms of long-term camera health?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Using auxillary lenses on the front end , especially those listed makes the need for rails all the more neccesary. That 1.6 tele is a beast.
 
Jan is right on, as usual, about rails when using the Mattebox with filters. In general, though, I think that the added security of using any of these heavy boxes with rails is well worth the investment in the rails. So again, I add my plug for the Zacuto plate and rails. It takes a bit of work with the (supplied) Allen wrenches at first, but you can achieve nearly perfect alignment.

Ned Soltz
 
Yeah I would agree with Jan about the rail thing totally on some of these solid matteboxes.

As for myself, we just picked up the Matteblox HD. I use it with a single grad when we need it, and I am here to tell you I love it. I don't see or feel any strain on this camera with it.

Rails are definitely the way, but the way we are doing our thing in the field, we are having great experience with the Cinetactics. Their velcro oversize hood goes on solid and stays put.

Hey Jan, I was also wondering how many reapairs has Panasonic made to HVX's with serperated lenses? Has this become a problem your people are having to deal with often?
 
I have been using the Formatt FM500 mattebox for years and have been satisfied with the results (used it with my DVX100 before getting my HVX200). It's relatively inexpensive, although I noticed that BH isn't selling them anymore (that's where I got mine). It's relatively light, and I haven't felt nervous about fitting it to the camera without an extra support. I don't use the french flag or filters very often, however, so take that with a grain of salt.
 
Like Barry Green I own the Vocas 350 and its fantastic. Well made, does its just with the minimum of fuss.

I also own a Formatt FM500 ( which doesn't use railes but attaches with a stepping ring to your lens, and it does its job but just be careful not to bang t on anything as it could damage the lens on your camera.

You can get the Formatt FM500 in ebay.co.uk for less than $200. They are always on there and post world wide. The Vocas is rarer as its a lot more money, but in a different league.

Redrock are also bringing out a matte box soon. Considering all there other gear is excellent, there is no reason why their mattebox won't be either.
 
Another option that isnt the same quality as the vocas, but the price reflects that also. Is Cavision matteboxes. They are really a system, that has options such as pistol grips, shoulder mount, but everything works together so no need to remove everything and add this or that. For the money I recommend it. If you can afford VOCAS then I would go there. Anyway if your looking for cheaper than CAVISION again. then theres a few options around Joels (hyson films) looks pretty good without actually ever seen one in person.
 
If you have no plan to use filters (?!) with your HVX, then you'll want a screw-on sunshade, not a mattebox.

e
 
I have several of the Cavision Matteboxes. They are a mixed bag, but I've gotten quite fond of mine.

Pluses -- you can extend them WAY out, due to the bellows design. If you're dealing with marginal flare issues, this can be a huge plus, and you can trim the extension on the fly easily to match your focal length. For example, some filters exaggerate flare, and then being able to extend out really makes a difference.

Price, for what is offered.

Lightweight rail design.

Adaptable to other cameras with minor plate and adaptor ring changeout.

MINUSES: somewhat sloppy manufacturing in some samples, and the bellows has some flex -- it isn't supported at top on the extended end. This isn't usually a problem other than aesthetically, but if you extend the already large f. flag (again, to deal with flare) it needs some additional support.

Recently they've enlarged the rail support plate, and it now gets in the way of accessories that you might want to rail-mount in back of a follow focus.
 
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