Bogen Formatt 4x4 Matte Box

Re: Bogen Formatt 4x4 Matte Box

yeah.. that sucks. specially if your using non-Formatt filter that dont have the band, you gotta tape it up everytime. Hopefully our solution will work :)
 
Re: Bogen Formatt 4x4 Matte Box

For those of use who use an external mic, is it possible to remove the Panny mic from the hotshoe without negative side-effects? There are just a couple of screws holding it in. I know it sounds radical, but it might make life easier in the end.
 
Re: Bogen Formatt 4x4 Matte Box

Jesus christ.. your insane ;D

I think the point of me being so stern is, I dont think that we should need to comprimise for a mattebox that works, without needing to take a hacksaw to the front of our cameras :)
 
Re: Bogen Formatt 4x4 Matte Box

lol yeah I shoulda added "low-cost" in front of that :)
 
Re: Bogen Formatt 4x4 Matte Box

Just to clarify...the Bogen Formatt only seems to pose a potential problem to those people using rods. So if you don't use them, you won't have a problem with the Formatt? Will you still need the spacer?
 
Re: Bogen Formatt 4x4 Matte Box

the problem isn't clearing the rods, its clearing the built in microphone. see pics jarred posted.
 
Re: Bogen Formatt 4x4 Matte Box

yes.. it will work completely normal with the normal 72mm spacer if you have no problems loading filters from the bottom.
 
Re: Bogen Formatt 4x4 Matte Box

Ok, I see...I rarely use the on-camera microphone so I wasn't taking it into account. Thanks.
 
Re: Bogen Formatt 4x4 Matte Box

Okay, for clarification (although I think it's already pretty clear, let me just clarify before ordering):

As it stands today, with the existing 72mm ring, you could use it with 4x4's and 4x5.65's, you could use 4x5.65's in the rotating stage (although with some restricted movement because of the microphone) and you can fully rotate the rotatable stage. You just have to load one of the stage's filters from the bottom, which poses no functional restriction or hazard, right?

And we're waiting on a redesigned 72mm ring that will hopefully allow top-loading and full 4x5.65 positioning while clearing the mic, and also not introduce vignetting.

Do I have that right?
 
Re: Bogen Formatt 4x4 Matte Box

close.. as it stands the actual mattebox is fine, will work completely without limitations if you load the filters from the bottom. grads put in the rotatable tray will only move as far up as the mic, then stop, so as long as you keep your Grad near horizontal it should be fine.

The solution I am working on isnt radical, and doesnt require bogen to actually make any new parts. They make a 82mm adapter ring for this mattebox, so what I am going to test is using a 72mm-82mm step up ring on the DVX, attatching to teh 82mm adapter. This should push the mattebox out enough to clear the mic, and the extra 10cm should eliminate or reduce the vignetting. The actual mattebox is huge so the vignetting isnt due to the actual hood, its from the step up rings, like if you tried to mount 2 wide 72mm screw in filters in front of the lens.
 
Re: Bogen Formatt 4x4 Matte Box

Vignetting -- argh. Missed that part.

Okay, I will just sit tight and wait for the completed review.
 
Re: Bogen Formatt 4x4 Matte Box

yes.. but.. it doesnt vignette without my idea.. with the standard 72mm there is no vignetting, you just gotta load from the bottom.
 
Re: Bogen Formatt 4x4 Matte Box

Okay, then another point of clarification: do you only have to load the rotating stage from the bottom? Do you top-load the other stage?

And -- real-world practical evaluation: is bottom-loading a big deal? Or is it a minor oddity?
 
Re: Bogen Formatt 4x4 Matte Box

you cant load anything from the top.. as there is a flip down lid that covers the trays, that wont open because the mic gets in the way. Unless you leave the lid open, but that means since there is no trays per say, light will fly in there like nobody's business.
 
Re: Bogen Formatt 4x4 Matte Box

Ah. Well, now that's silly. A mattebox, designed to block light, where you'd have to leave a flap open that spills light...

So, bottom-loading it is, I guess. But surely the flap would have to stay open when using 4x5.65's, right? So it'll be an issue either way when using Grads, right?
 
Re: Bogen Formatt 4x4 Matte Box

Yes, the flap does have to be open for 4X5.6 grads to be used effectively but I don't see the flap open as THAT much of a problem. The flap is a fair size and still prevents most direct light forward of the camera from entering the filter stages even when it is open. If you've got overhead or want to keep out ambient light as well .. that's another matter.
 
Re: Bogen Formatt 4x4 Matte Box

Jarred,

any estimated time frame for when you might put the Formatt up for sale through the DVXuser store? I've got a shoot coming up the last week of July for which I'd love to pick up the Formatt. Ideally, I'd wait for you to sort out the issue with the adapter rings and post your full review, but if it'll be awhile, I could probably make do with loading the filters from the bottom and get the proper step-up adapter once they're available.

If you're not yet offering them through DVXuser, where's a good place to get one and the Formatt filters? Is the adapter ring included?

Is there a way to use the box with rods? I've seen some sites selling a clamp-on adapter for the Formatt. Will the clamp-on adapter work with the DVX?

One final question: judging from your previous comments, it seems you're saying the Formatte vignettes if used with a 72mm spacer (hence the wait for the 72 to 82mm step-up ring)? I've got a UV on the front of my DVX, so will adding the Formatt with its 72mm adapter ring cause the box to vignette?

Thanks for any info!
 
Re: Bogen Formatt 4x4 Matte Box

It will be for sale the day I "approve" it.. I dont wanna stick you guys with monkey boxes.

And there is vignetting using a 72mm spacer to a 72mm adapter ring, that was the first thing I tested. As far as your UV.. you might get away with the UV > 72-82mm adapter ring > mattebox.. I can check that out as well.
 
Re: Bogen Formatt 4x4 Matte Box

Jarred,

How much vignetting did you observe during your tests with the 72 mm spacer, if you don't mind my asking. Thank you.
 
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