Bogen Formatt 4x4 Matte Box

Re: Bogen Formatt 4x4 Matte Box

Uhm... but just to make it clear again.. it cannot work with the anamorphic adapter, right? I mean, I made a lot of tests and I am sure now there CAN'T be any 4x4 filter holder/mattebox that has no vignetting and leaves the ana-adaptor untouched (="unshaved"). 4x4 is just to small in regard of the depth of the sunshade. Too bad...
 
Re: Bogen Formatt 4x4 Matte Box

The Formatt most definitely wouldn't work with the anamorphic (unless perhaps you shaved the lens hood, etc., who knows?)

The Formatt has a round ring to attach it to a lens, and the anamorphic is square, so -- no go. Not just a vignetting issue, there's no way to actually attach it.
 
Re: Bogen Formatt 4x4 Matte Box

I just shot some footage in my office a few minutes ago with the Formatt matte box and got no vinetting at all at widest angle.
 
Re: Bogen Formatt 4x4 Matte Box

To double-check, have you viewed the footage on a monitor with underscan, or imported it into an NLE, so you can see the full frame? That's the only way to know for sure...
 
Re: Bogen Formatt 4x4 Matte Box

JBN. are you using a wide angle?
 
Re: Bogen Formatt 4x4 Matte Box

I just used the standard lens on the camera at it's widest setting.  Viewed it on my monitor (a Panasonic 13") and got no vignetting.  Obviously, you have to be careful of the french flag drooping into the top of the shot, but no vignetting otherwise.   :)

PS- I just pulled it into my NLE (FCP-HD) and no vignetting viewing the full frame.
 
Re: Bogen Formatt 4x4 Matte Box

record to tape and bring it into your NLE. on the panasonic 13" monitor (unless its a pro monitor) you wont be able to see vignetting because of NTSC safe areas.
 
Re: Bogen Formatt 4x4 Matte Box

That's what I did. Recorded to tape, pulled it into my tape deck, recorded to my NLE and viewed it on the deck monitor (professional) and the full frame view in Final Cut Pro HD.
No vignetting.
 
Re: Bogen Formatt 4x4 Matte Box

This is great feedback! Yes I concur. I've shot alot of footage with the standard lens and have recieved no vignetting with box. The box is extremely shallow in depth compared to other boxes, allowing the box to flare out (not lens flare...hehe) wide really quick while still providing excellent coverage. Good design I think. The wide angle adapter test still needs to be done by someone... any takers?

I talked to one client who just bought one for his GL-1. He used a century optics .6 wide angle adapter on it, and recieved no vignetting at full wide. Now granted this is the Gl-1 and the optics and design are different... but still encouraging!
 
Re: Bogen Formatt 4x4 Matte Box

I've been using the Formatt matte box for over 2 years now and I got i from Optex in the UK where they were branding it as their own (Actually made by TLS in the UK see http://www.truelens.co.uk/matte/kestrel.htm) It's a really well thought out, robust piece of kit that does exactly what it's meant to. However, I am a XL1s user who is migrating to DVX100a and although I am sure it will work fine on the standard lens, There are great doubts about it working with a wide or anamorphic adapter.

In my searches for an alternative I've seen a post over on 2-pop where a guy (last post at time of writing) says he has the *new* Century wide angle DV Matte Box for DVX100 wide angle and anamorphic lenses.

http://www.uemforums.com/2pop/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=40285&Main=39679

No sign of a new matte box on Century's site but Vocas (who make them for Century) have details of a new Wide MkII DVD MatteBox - but this seems to only fit a Century waide adapter, not the anamorphic.

Anybody know anything more about this? Is there a solution coming from Century to fit the anamorphic?
 
Re: Bogen Formatt 4x4 Matte Box

Just got it today. Few quick points on the first impression..

First: this thing opens wide.. I mean the front of the thing adds about 2" over the Cavision 4x4, so vignetting on the side should be pretty good, and if you are shooting 16x9 you may be able to get away with using the .6

Second, the thing doesnt use trays, which is kinda wierd, I dont know if I got something wrong but you just slide the filters in, dont know how I feel about that yet. Seems solid though.

Third, you will need to add a spacer, either in the form of a UV filter or a 72mm filter, as the 1st tray becomes blocked by the Mic if you dont.

Fourth.. love the French flag.. the thing is huge. Im talking 15"+
 
Re: Bogen Formatt 4x4 Matte Box

Yes Jarred, you're quite correct, it doesn't use filter trays, and here's why. Bogen/Formatt filters are all made with an outer protective edging on the side of the filter. This is made with a black carbon material that acts essentially as a protectant for the filter. All Bogen/Formatt filters are made this way, even the big guys the 6x6's and the 4x5.650's are edged with this material. No one else is doing this, and DP's and AC's seem to like this feature. During my time working at Panavision Hollywood, I saw more and more clients actually ask for Bogen/Formatt filters on huge industry commercials and music videos simply because of the quality of the filters and the fact that they're sealed with an outer protectant... clients knew they were less likely to scratch or damage the dumb things... which as we all know, can be very expensive to repair!

Now, I myself actually own a number of Bogen/Formatt filters which I use with the box... however I also have some schneider filters which are unedged. These slip into the FM500 just fine, without scratching, and hold very tight. So you can essentially use any 4x4 filter or 4x5.650 filter for that matter. But yes, the box was designed with the pre-edged Bogen/Formatt filters in mind... hence the lack of a filter tray system.
 
Re: Bogen Formatt 4x4 Matte Box

I do understand that.. but it pretty much eliminates the use of any non format/bogen filters in the mattebox. As well, with a tray they have a pull so removing them is easier.. With this you kinda gotta jimmy up the filters..

Its too soon to tell though, I think it may be ok, its definately different. Right now however I can seriously say that the Formatt Filters are top notch quality, and your right, the protective ring is great, Tiffen does this on some 4x5.6's but it would be nice to see them on all of them.
 
Re: Bogen Formatt 4x4 Matte Box

I just used it on a 12 hour production today.. and I must say im pretty impressed with it.. ITs alot more solid than I thought, mostly due to the all metal construction. Still not sold on the filter idea, however I did realize I dont change filters as many times as I thought I did :)
 
Re: Bogen Formatt 4x4 Matte Box

I just got mine yesterday and so far I am impressed. There are a fewthings I am concerned about. Mainly in the filter area. There seems to be lots of places behind the filter that light can leak in (along the bottom closest to the lens). It has been my experience that you can pick up relflections and movement behind the camera. Not a huge issue as I am also in the habit of using camera tape to "seal" all the light leaks out. Just a thought.

I am having a machinist friend of mine look at it to see if:

1. He can make an attachment that will allow it to mount on 15mm rods. Call me old but I hate hanging things on the lens.

2. Make a new "facing plate that will allow mating to a anamorphic adapter.

Other wise you cant beat the "bang for the buck"
 
Re: Bogen Formatt 4x4 Matte Box

yes.. the top lip has a little flap that comes down to seal light out from the top, but the bottom is still open. It would be nice to see the same flap on the bottom. Technically speaking though, its very rare to get a damaging hit of light off the bottom, unless your shooting something wierd like snow or water. Of course if your using the formatt filters, the built in edge helps considerably, although there is still alot of space.

Thats what camera tape is for I guess :)
 
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