mattebox or monitor--which first?

utopeya

utopeya

Member
This may be a stupid question, but I'm going to ask it anyway.

I am putting together an adapter setup for my HVX200A, and I only have enough money at the moment for either a Redrock microMattebox or a Manhattan LCD. Which should I get now, and which should I get in a few months when I have some more cash?

My instinct is to go with the mattebox, but I've read over and over about how you can't focus the HVX properly without an external monitor. But then I also read that the HVX200A's onboard LCD has more agressive peaking than the original model, so I'm wondering whether I can get away with just using that for now.

Many thanks.
 
wont' the mattebox be costing way more? With filters it will be hundreds more on top of the cost of the mattebox. I would go monitor. I rarely ever use my mattebox, but use a monitor every single time.
 
What is more important, having a properly focused image but potentially some lens flares in difficult lighting situations or having a potentially soft image that is free of lens flares (plus the ability to use filters etc.). For me, it would be an easy choice. The cleanest image isn't worth much if it is out of focus. Therefore, I would go with the monitor. It will allow you to properly focus with an adapter, which is very hard if you have to relay only on the little lcd of the HVX.
 
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I'd go with the mattebox. With peaking turned on, I've never really had trouble focusing with the built in LCD (this includes feature film work that has looked perfectly sharp on the big screen). That said, if you don't have a follow focus, I'd recommend that over both the mattebox and external monitor.
 
Get a monitor first, if you have vision like mine, I needed the monitor so I can get good focus, I didn't need a mattebox till a year latter after I had gotten my camera and adapter stuff, which is when I ended up getting it
 
Get the Monitor w/sun visor for outdoor shooting.

The flip out LCD on the XHA1 isn't much better than the one on the HVX200, and outdoors it is usless. The only option is the view finder which, with an 35mm adapter, is challenging to use for tack sharp focus.

You will never be sorry that you have an external monitor.
 
Not a stupid question. Many face the same choice, including me at the moment.

Just to clarify: Do you have the adapter already? Maybe that makes a difference.

If I had the adapter, I think I'd do the monitor first as others point out. If I had just the camera now and shoot a lot outdoors then the MB for the shading and filtration it provides.

I'd be interested to know how many DVX users (either with or without 35 mm adapters) use a MB. They look practical and functional but I'm guessing that a lot of people get by without one by using screw-on filters. If you look at some of Phil Bloom's blog photos, he rarely has a MB on the front of his camera......or a monitor for that matter.
 
Bobonli said:
Not a stupid question. Many face the same choice, including me at the moment.
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Click to expand...

+1 was a decision I had to make to, just glad I chose monitor:

b2.jpg


am making a diy mattebox for now as dont see the point in spending loads just to stop lens flare
 
Jay Laville said:
am making a diy mattebox for now as dont see the point in spending loads just to stop lens flare
Click to expand...

Yes, MBs are ferociously overpriced for what they do. Some are more than the bloody adapter! But you're also paying for the ability to add and rotate filters which, if you shoot outdoors, is very valuable so you can add ND and polarizers. I'd prefer to add the filtration in-line via a MB rather than screw them onto the front of the camera's lens....at least that's my thinking today!

So, to the OP, do you need filtration or are you mostly seeking the shading qualities of the MB? If you just need a shade you can make one out of cardboard.
 
Thanks for the responses, everyone. I decided to go with the monitor, along with a Nebtek adapter so I can use my Panasonic batteries.

Bobonli, to answer your question, I'm currently awaiting delivery on an SGblade. Man, I wish I liked painting. So much cheaper...

Jay, it looks like you got the SGblade with a separate tripod mount... is there a way to attach a Noga arm to that mount? I ordered some Redrock microMounts, but if I can attach a Noga arm directly to the tripod mount, I might just do that instead.

Edit: to answer your second question, Bobonli, I would like eventually to use ND filters and such, but I can't afford them at the moment, so for now the mattebox would have just been for shading.
 
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