Bogan Formatt Matte Box
- Thread starter Steve_Bec
- Start date
Bermudaforce
Well-known member
I own a Formatt matte! I paid like maybe 300 for it plus shipping at BHphoto. Plus you'll need the 72mm adapter ring if you're using it for the DVX. I like it. It does the job!! You don't need an expensive matte box anyways. My buddy has the expensive one but I don't see a difference between his big budget movie and mine. It's just how you use it.
Anybody completely figure out mounting the Formatt matte box? I've read about 2 solutions. One is mounting with the filter slots upside down (as it should be) with the one (?) adaptor ring and everything is good...no vignetting problems. Only issue is funky upside down filter loading but everything WORKS.
Second, I heard if you want to mount it so the filter slots are on top and WITHOUT vignetting you need TWO adaptor rings. One is supposed to be hard to find and expensive.
Any insight?
Thanks!!!
Second, I heard if you want to mount it so the filter slots are on top and WITHOUT vignetting you need TWO adaptor rings. One is supposed to be hard to find and expensive.
Any insight?
Thanks!!!
Bermudaforce
Well-known member
You'll always get the vignetting problem... I don't know about adding filters from the bottom or top.. it doesn't matter to me how you throw in your filters. As long as they are in and secure. This is probably the most affordable matte box I could afford. And it's not made from plastic or cardboard. I just needed to make my DVX look more tougher on the streets..
Collink
Well-known member
I got the Formatt also, it is a good value for sure. Know that 4x4 filters will clean out your wallet faster than the matte box will. If you are buying glass Formatt filters they run $120-$165 EACH, you buy 2 you have spent just as much on glass as the box cost. Maybe some of you don't know this, but the resin filters you can get from B&H and others are pretty good and are usually 1/2 the cost of glass. The "HITECH" brand of resin filters - are actually Formatt brand filters. The packaging has the Formatt name printed on it. I guess Bogen calls their resin filters "HITECH" to differentiate them from the pricier (and slightly nicer) Formatt glass. The audience will never be able to tell the difference between a glass and a resin filter.
I paid just under $300 for the Formatt box including the 72mm ring, and then I read about the "fix" for the filter stage clearance. I suppose I will, at some point, go back and get the step-up ring/ and the larger mattebox adapter to get it out there so it clears. With the box mounted to a UV filter mounted to the DVX I see no vignetting in the viewfinder, but the filter stage still wont clear the mic. It's a shame the mic doesn't come off, I don't use it anyway. I tried two 72mm filters behind the mattebox and that fixed the filter clearance issue, but now I've got pretty serious vignetting. Don' t let me discourage you, the Formatt is a great tool, I recommend it.
I paid just under $300 for the Formatt box including the 72mm ring, and then I read about the "fix" for the filter stage clearance. I suppose I will, at some point, go back and get the step-up ring/ and the larger mattebox adapter to get it out there so it clears. With the box mounted to a UV filter mounted to the DVX I see no vignetting in the viewfinder, but the filter stage still wont clear the mic. It's a shame the mic doesn't come off, I don't use it anyway. I tried two 72mm filters behind the mattebox and that fixed the filter clearance issue, but now I've got pretty serious vignetting. Don' t let me discourage you, the Formatt is a great tool, I recommend it.
keith_soucy
Active member
I have the FM-500. Love it. No vignetting if you mount directly to lens (no protection filter). Well made for the $$.
o0_lowy_jopez_0o
Member
i have the formatt too. i like it and recommend it for what it is meant to be. I can't say i wouldn't rather have the pole supported expensive ones, but what i'd rather have the most is the extra money to buy more and better filters. (the really nice matteboxes cost 3x as much)
there's no vignetting with a standard UV ring screwed in to protect the lieca, but as others have already said, the filter cover flap won't clear the onboard mic. bottom loading mostly fixes this problem, but if you have a circular polarizer mounted into the rotating slot, you won't be able to turn a full 360 degrees, as the top of it bangs into the mic at about 90 degrees. this isn't a major problem, but i do consider it an issue i wish i had known about.
as far as the extra stepup ring, i think you can get it from bh for not too much money, but i haven't found a need to buy one yet.
all in all i would definitely recommend the box unless you definitely have the extra money to put into the thousand dollar or more range. if you want to keep the price of the box plus filters well under a thousand then this is the way to go for sure.
just on a side note, the lens cover doesn't work with my particular 72mm adapter ring, i don't know if there is a brand that does work with it, so i take the box on and off, including the ring, unless i need to put some filters in front of the shot.
this might cause more of a problem if the box is used for ornamental reasons, or if you are constantly shooting outside or in situations that need filters, because you will probably want to be able to protect your lens with a cover, and with certain adapter rings you just can't.
joey
there's no vignetting with a standard UV ring screwed in to protect the lieca, but as others have already said, the filter cover flap won't clear the onboard mic. bottom loading mostly fixes this problem, but if you have a circular polarizer mounted into the rotating slot, you won't be able to turn a full 360 degrees, as the top of it bangs into the mic at about 90 degrees. this isn't a major problem, but i do consider it an issue i wish i had known about.
as far as the extra stepup ring, i think you can get it from bh for not too much money, but i haven't found a need to buy one yet.
all in all i would definitely recommend the box unless you definitely have the extra money to put into the thousand dollar or more range. if you want to keep the price of the box plus filters well under a thousand then this is the way to go for sure.
just on a side note, the lens cover doesn't work with my particular 72mm adapter ring, i don't know if there is a brand that does work with it, so i take the box on and off, including the ring, unless i need to put some filters in front of the shot.
this might cause more of a problem if the box is used for ornamental reasons, or if you are constantly shooting outside or in situations that need filters, because you will probably want to be able to protect your lens with a cover, and with certain adapter rings you just can't.
joey
All you guys ROCK!!! Thanks for all your imput. Sounds like a good buy for the money. I just can't see spending 1600.00 bucks plus on a 3500.00 camera. Economicaly it makes no sence. And since I don't ever plan on shooting with the anamorphic adapter, this is the only logical box.
Thanks Again everyone
Steve
Thanks Again everyone
Steve
Collink
Well-known member
It's certianly my pleasure, Steve. And I bet everyone elses here too. THIS is the point of this type of forum. Users helping each other out, and giving our nicely DVX biased opinions.
I cant count the tips and tricks, and valuable suggestions I've gathered from this board. - C
I cant count the tips and tricks, and valuable suggestions I've gathered from this board. - C
Shawn Murphy
Well-known member
I've been pouring over a bazillion links and threads trying to decide between: Cavision, Petroff, Vocas/Century, Chrosziel & Cineactics...
This thread seems to be the answer to what I "need" (the Formatt), I do have the money for a more expensive Matte Box, however, I'm brand new at shooting DV and still need to buy a light kit and accessories, tripod and fluid head, filters, boom mic, LCD monitor, and I'll be building my own dolly track setup and jib/crane/car setups based on the really cool book, 'Killer Camera Rigs' http://www.dvcamerarigs.com/index.html
So, before I go off and buy the Formatt FM-500, a couple of quick questions:
1. I'm still not clear on the issues around using just one adapter or two, and if I do get two, what make/model/style are they? Someone mentioned that "their" 72mm adapter gave them problems? It would be really helpful (and appreciated) if someone could post a picture showing the issues concerning the DVX std mics and loading filters (bottom vs top?)
2. Are the filters that are used in this "standard", meaning any brand of 4x4 will work? I was a little confused by the comments about RESIN, GLASS, HITECH, FORMATT as if I could only use a certain brand? (I can extrapolate the difference between glass and resin, but the comments about names was confusing)
This thread seems to be the answer to what I "need" (the Formatt), I do have the money for a more expensive Matte Box, however, I'm brand new at shooting DV and still need to buy a light kit and accessories, tripod and fluid head, filters, boom mic, LCD monitor, and I'll be building my own dolly track setup and jib/crane/car setups based on the really cool book, 'Killer Camera Rigs' http://www.dvcamerarigs.com/index.html
So, before I go off and buy the Formatt FM-500, a couple of quick questions:
1. I'm still not clear on the issues around using just one adapter or two, and if I do get two, what make/model/style are they? Someone mentioned that "their" 72mm adapter gave them problems? It would be really helpful (and appreciated) if someone could post a picture showing the issues concerning the DVX std mics and loading filters (bottom vs top?)
2. Are the filters that are used in this "standard", meaning any brand of 4x4 will work? I was a little confused by the comments about RESIN, GLASS, HITECH, FORMATT as if I could only use a certain brand? (I can extrapolate the difference between glass and resin, but the comments about names was confusing)