Hyson Films HD Matte Box Question

sick boy

sick boy

Well-known member
Hey All,

I know it says on Hysonfilms.com you dont need rods for the matte box on the hvx200, but it seems like what a lot of people are saying that it is recommeded to put no weight on the lens. Is it a smart move to purchase the rail system or is the Matte box they sell light enough not to have to worry about the weight on the Hvx200?

Also, anyone know if the X Matter Box comes with the rails? The pictures show it does, but the description doesnt so I assume it does not.

Thanks!
 
Their matte box is probably light enough for the HVX, buts its just better all round to have the rails so that you can use the swing out feature, [great for getting in to clean the lens] and just incase a dreaded accident happens and someone knocks the matte box it stops the lens from taking a knock..

Whilst the HVX is sturdy and the matte box is light, with £4000 worth of kit, anything you can do to protect and prolong its life is worthwhile.

Plus with rails you can add all sort of add ons such as monitor brackets, shoulder mounts, pistol grips, follow focus units etc...

Enjoy!

Richard
Majormorgan
 
Forgot one more quick question, with the rod system hyson sells, I have seen in the past some companies making shoulder supports for the rod systems, kind of like the varizoom dv traveler system for the rods.

Does anyone know if these will work with a hyson rod system and if so, could anyone make a recommendation as where to find such a thing?

I am almost thinking of getting the hd matte box with rails and then evetually add maybe a shoulder support systems to be portable with the matte box.

Thanks!
 
majormorgan said:
Their matte box is probably light enough for the HVX, buts its just better all round to have the rails so that you can use the swing out feature, [great for getting in to clean the lens] and just incase a dreaded accident happens and someone knocks the matte box it stops the lens from taking a knock..

Whilst the HVX is sturdy and the matte box is light, with £4000 worth of kit, anything you can do to protect and prolong its life is worthwhile.

Plus with rails you can add all sort of add ons such as monitor brackets, shoulder mounts, pistol grips, follow focus units etc...

Enjoy!

Richard
Majormorgan
Click to expand...

Awesome, the accesories aspect is probably the big plus for me. Any suggestions where I might be able to find shoulder mounts?

Thank you!
 
sick boy said:
Hey All,

I know it says on Hysonfilms.com you dont need rods for the matte box on the hvx200, but it seems like what a lot of people are saying that it is recommeded to put no weight on the lens. Is it a smart move to purchase the rail system or is the Matte box they sell light enough not to have to worry about the weight on the Hvx200?

Also, anyone know if the X Matter Box comes with the rails? The pictures show it does, but the description doesnt so I assume it does not.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

You dont have to worry about the weight of the HD Mattebox on the HVX200. It is actually quite light, and fits exactly where the lens hood goes. Twist on and off. Works great.

The X Mattebox does not come with the rails , i think its just show with the rails so its easier to get an idea of the size and to stand it upright.

As far as mounting on a shoulder support system, i cant verify , but it should work just like any other system where it would use a QR plate to go on the Shoulder System.

here is one i was looking at :

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/421436-REG/Birns_Sawyer_388194_Shoulder_Support_2.html

i dont have any experience though with any shoulder support systems at the moment, i too am looking to change that though :)
 
I actually have a varizoom dv traveler on the way, but I was thinking more along the lines of using the rail system with a atachable should support pad and arm/grips.

I was looking at zacuto and they something along the lines, but just the arms to grip the camera are $700, something that is out of my price range.

Probably going to get the hd matte box and since it sounds like it is light enough, I could get away with it for awhile till I have the funds saved up a rail system. Maybe then I can look into adding to the rail system the should support, since I am sure someone sells them for much less than $700.

I am happy thought the hyson is light enough to carry around, any suggestions on lens and filters?

Thanks!
 
Lol. I got my Hyson HD matte box primarily for use with my 35mm adapter and lenses so I obviously got the base plate and rods but I didn't know the matte box just attached to the HVX. I tried it on and it is nice and secure. The HD matte box folds up nicely too so it doesn't take up much room. Using the base plate and rods when you don't have to would be kind of silly if you ask me. But Richard is right about all the other add ons, you need them. Joel at Hyson films is great about answering emails too.
 
I own a Hyson HD Matte Box and recently bought the rails both 24 and 12 . The original HD Matte Box attaches like your lens hood does. It is a great help depending on the lighting conditions etc. with and without the bottom flag attached. I can't speak for the newer matte box and swing away but it looks sweet. The issue I had and why I ordered the rail system was that unless you have your camera on the tripod, using the "twist" attachment of the matte box it can come off easily if bumped in a hand held situation. I also ordered the rods to support my 35mm adapter and the long ones with extra clamps for a shoulder pad and handles. Joel will have both handles and shoulder pads coming down the road sometime. But in the meantime I have ordered a Cavison single grip for 15mm rods and will use the 24" with a clamp to support the camera in hand held with normal lens.
I currently have little need for a rotating filter setup in my work but expect I will upgrade to his new matte box in the new year. The great thing about buying for Joel is he is a film-maker and will work with you to tune things the way you like them. He is also the designer and builder which means feedback from us goes into the next design.
 
What if you wanted to use a wide angle adapter or something...is there no way to hook up the Hyson Mattebox?
 
Good question Mike. How would one expect to hook any mattebox in general to a wide angle lense, and would it catch the flags in the picture if the mattebox was on it?

The hyson flags can open up nice and wide so i would think it wouldnt be an issue.

Do you mean if using a wide angle lense with rails or without rails?

If without rails, i think it would fit on the exact same. It would go where the lens hood would go, then you screw on the wide angle lens, no?
 
It doesn't connect. You need the rods and the lens fits inside a step down thing that comes with the unit but it doesn't connect or twist on.
 
Curious, does the indysnap compare to the hyson matte box? based on the pcitures, the hyson looks more adjustable but the indysnaps say they are aluminium? The indysnaps do not ahve an option for rails, you need to somehow connect them yoursefl from what I gathered from the site. The Hyson comes pre-equiped with the rail adapter.

Besides hyson and indysnap, is there any other modest priced independent matte boxs for us strugling young artists?

Thanks,
Tim
 
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sick boy said:
Curious, does the indysnap compare to the hyson matte box? based on the pcitures, the hyson looks more adjustable but the indysnaps say they are aluminium? The indysnaps do not ahve an option for rails, you need to somehow connect them yoursefl from what I gathered from the site. The Hyson comes pre-equiped with the rail adapter.

Besides hyson and indysnap, is there any other modest priced independent matte boxs for us strugling young artists?

Thanks,
Tim
Click to expand...

What about this? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/434136-REG/Cavision_MB45HVX200_4x5_65_Wide_Hard_Shade.html

Also i noticed the link you posted from bhp (rodes alone) said not in stock.
 
Their are more advantages with the Hyson Matte Box then
anything in the market at that price point. Just look at the
features and see difference. Looks are also a big plus
for the hyson matte box.
Material can be a factor but both are just as strong. Unless
your the type who thrashes you film gear.
 
I have noticed from one brand to another that they are not all the same size.
why is the hyson 2X Larger than HD Matte Box? Why so BIG? Advantage, disadvantages?
 
One of my quips about the indisnap is its very large size. It is also not adjustable, so blocking light is not so easy. It is open very wide so its not that great at blocking light hitting the lens to begin with.

The aluminum can bend and not snap back either, kinda like a car without the non dent doors i would say. Storage is difficult since it doesnt collapse, ive seen a few in use and had some hands on, and those are my impressions. Watching others trying to find a place for it in their gear boxes/bags is woeful.
 
Nic Aragon said:
One of my quips about the indisnap is its very large size. It is also not adjustable, so blocking light is not so easy. It is open very wide so its not that great at blocking light hitting the lens to begin with.

The aluminum can bend and not snap back either, kinda like a car without the non dent doors i would say. Storage is difficult since it doesnt collapse, ive seen a few in use and had some hands on, and those are my impressions. Watching others trying to find a place for it in their gear boxes/bags is woeful.
Click to expand...

What would your recommed in your opinion?
 
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