72mm filters vs 4x4

Charli

Charli

cool little "title"
I tried to do a google search on the advantages of a 4x4 over a 72mm filter,
got some good info on filters themselves, but uh, didn't find a site that had
pros or cons of either.

Other than maybe a fast interchange between 4x4 filters, what advantages are there
with the 4x4 filter over the 72mm? This will help me decide where to spend my money. I'll continue
to figure out how to google this info. Geez.

Charli
 
there's really no advantage or disadvantage to using either. the only thing to maybe think or consider are like grad filters to where you rotate them to achieve a certain look, but you rotate the 4x4 into place and you obviously rotate the 72mm...so the difference? none really.

but as i said in your other thread you're not always going to have the matte box on your camera and you may need the 72mm. if you don't have them you'll regret it. it may cost, but having both is a good investment depending on the work you are doing.
 
I'm already buying 72mm filters, so I did indeed take your advice to heart.
Just wasn't sure if I was going to take the plunge and buy 4x4s.

N- you're a peach.
Thanks,

Charli
 
having a mattebox system with larger filters (4x4 or 4x5.65) gives you a more versatile system that you can put on a lot of different cameras. With 4x5.65 you can put that on an SD camera, a newer HD camera even a film camera. You pay premium of course..
 
i jsut haven't decided what kind of matte box i was going to get...then again i might build my own, but i haven't decided on the size.
 
N - I lost out on a bid for a mattebox on Ebay, lost by a few dollars, nice box too.
I could kick myself. I'm sort of spinning my heels here, told a friend of mine on
this site, this mattebox is the one item I'm not "sold" on. Sigh.

Charli
 
I use 72mm and 4x4 filters. Pros and Cons of each.

72mm Pros: leave em on and forget about them, doesn't need a mattebox, inexpensive compared to 4x4's, much more sleek and unencumbered (run and gun friendly)
72mm Cons: vignetting when you use more than 1 at a time, forget using the sunshade and a circular polarizer or graduated filter at the same time

4x4 Pros: with the right mattebox* you can use up to 4 filters at the same time with no vignetting, you can rotate the hell out of a polarizer or graduated filter and still have use of the sunshade (mattebox)
4x4 Cons: Matteboxes can get in the way at times, glass is VERY expensive and you still have to pay for a mattebox.

*I use the Formatt mattebox which only allows for 2 filters at a time (1 rotates 360 degrees)

I'm sure other users can add to the pros and cons I've given for both types of filters. Given the characteristics of each type of filter I choose to use whatever is appropriate at the time.
 
The Formatt mattebox is great; considering it's price. I picked mine up on eBay new for $250. Is it the best mattebox in the world? no. Does it meet all of my needs and work well?, yes.

It has some limitations but they are very quickly overcome and aren't much of an inconvenience. I would recommend it to anyone looking for an inexpensive but professional mattebox.
 
gauranga...

thanks for confirming what i said, yet a little more detailed :)...how does the sunshade get in the way of the 72mm lens filters. i can spin mine just fine. as for vignetting i've used two and haven't seen it, but i did when i used three. which mattebox has four filter holders?
 
I have the Formatt and a pretty nice variety of 4x4 filters. The only limiting factor with the DVX is that you have to put your filters in from the bottom. The spring thingys to a good job of holding the filters in place.

If you can only afford 1 filter to start out with, then I would highly recommend the ND Grad Filter.
 
Novelt,

I'm referring to the stock sunshade that comes with the DVX. If I have a Tiffen 72mm circular polarizer on, the sunshade surrounds the lens so that I cannot get a finger in there to rotate the filter very easily. Can it be done? Yes. But as far as "spinning it just fine" goes... certainly not. I would get a million fingerprints on the glass to say the least. The rotatable surface is just too small and tucked too far into the sunshade to rotate easily.

As far as vignetting goes, I get it with 2 72mm filters on at around Z30.

Panavision and Chrosziel make matteboxes that fit 4 4x4 filters. (I never said they were for a DVX:))
 
Marlene - where did you buy your 4x4s? I'm thinking of buying the Century
Optics 3 filter 4x4 kit.

No problem with your filters loading and sticking upside on the formatt?

Charli
 
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