Accessory Newbie Questions

braw

braw

Well-known member
I am just starting out and am unclear as to the need or purpose of a few accessories. I would appreciate some input.

1. What is the purpose/benefit of a mattebox?

2. How is a follow focus better than the on camera one?

3. Is there a significant difference in perceived rez for DVD output with the anamorphic adapter as opposed to squeeze or letterbox? $800 difference?

4. What filters do you use or recommend? Color filters seem almost useless since the DVX can achieve this in camera.

5. How much is too much for a tripod? At some point it seems the technology required would hit it's peak...unless they have integrated AI now.

6. Having read through this forum for a while, it seems many use the ME66 or AT897. What is highly recommended for a modest priced indoor and outdoor mic?

Believe me I have scrubbed this forum until I was blue in the face. I have gathered much information already, but I would love some opinions or a link to any threads that I may have missed.
 
Re: Accessory Newbie Questions

I do use the ME66 and I've no problem with it. Very good shotgun microphone and well worth the price if you have the money just go for it.

For the anamorphic difference, not too sure aboiut that, you get 30% more quality (correct me if i'm wrong).

For the tripod, I recommand you bogen/Manfrotto 3046 legss and bogen/Manfrotto 501 fluid head.
 
Re: Accessory Newbie Questions

1-The Mattebox provides a few services.  It shades light from the lens preventing flare (much better than the provided rinky dink one that cames with the camera).  The other is it enables you to use filters.  Yes you can use a couple of round screww on filtersm , but stacking more than two, and even that could cut into the frame.  So with the Mattebox you can use square , or rectangulat 4x5.6 filters.  Not only are there much more to choose from, it enabled you to move graduated filters around the frame for proper settings for you.
2-A follow focus is really to enable a focus puller to beable to manipulate the focus smoothly, without effecting the operator, or any othe function of the lens.  Some people like to use it while they operate themselves, but if you are on your own, you really do not need it.
3- This is a pretty big debate.  But from test I have done.  On high end, large DLP tv's, and slighly smaller CRT's, the resolution you get from squeeze, or even just the mask is pretty close to what the anamorphic adapter gets you.  99% of folks will not notice.  That is not to say that it does not make a difference, it does, but it is a lot of money, and harder to shoot with, for a small difference when being delivered by DVD.
4-IMHO the most important filters to use with DV are ND grads.  The latitude is one of DV's weakest functions.  So if you have Nd grads, at least you have a fighting chance with the sky.  Others that are rather vital are a polarizer, and perhaps some diffusion (I like Black pro mists)  they come in various levels of diffusion.  Other handy filters ar low con filters, other colour grads, and even some nets break up the ligh nicely.
5-If you are working with this camera you can get a very nice head and tripod for around 700 dollars.  With these systems you get what you pay for.  If you pay more than that you can get some very nice heads and sticks.  But at that price point you will be very happy with the selections you can make(yes the 503 is a very nice head for the DVX)
6- Both mics that you mention are quite good for their price point.  Once again you get what you pay for when it comes to mics.  But either of these tow will serve you well in most cases.
 
Re: Accessory Newbie Questions

Thanks guys! I appreciate your input. Do you have any input into the ME66 not being best for indoor use? I have run accross that opinion several times here. I gathered that it does a poor job with reverb.
 
Re: Accessory Newbie Questions

I have heard the ME66 is a very good all around mic. As for tripods, I agree with prairieboy in that 700 dollars will get you a very good tripd. Some of the ones I am looking at are the Sachtler system dv-2II, the Vinten pro-6DC, and the Libec LS-35. All under 1000 dollars.
 
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