Cheapest matte box & tripod rig for GH13 with kit lens
- Thread starter Blackout
- Start date
j1clark@ucsd.edu
Veteran
I've shot weddings where the guests have had those 'big canons'... my attitude... poo poo 'em... ultimately the 'pro' is there to get the shots the customer wants... of if they didn't know what they wanted, show them why they hired you...
For me I'd worry that a customer who has such a concept, may ultimately prove to be a hassle in the production or delivery side.
One of my acquaintances shot the wedding of the sister of a 'high powered' international known photographer... my acquaintance was shooting 35mm as I recall, and the known photographer gave a 'wedding gift' of a shoot on the beach during the reception... the known photographer
showed up with a griptruck's worth of equipment to shoot the bridal couple for the 'gift'... At that point the only thing to do is remember you are the 'client's pro'... no matter who else shows up... with whatever...
Blackout
Veteran
I agree on all sides that it's ridiculous and the work should stand on its own, but that is to logical educated in production people and the plain fact is most clients are not. If they were, they would be shooting it themselves or at least trying to and failing.
It's silly, but if you already know what you are doing and how to max the quality out of your amazing GH13, GH2, or AF-100 - the more extra crap you can put on it to look huge, and more complicated, the more perceived value naive clients get, and what is the definition of a good sale - "when both parties are happy". It's just like a woman wearing fancy clothes - is it going to change the woman underneath when you get her home? No... but does it make her look good and make those around her impressed and oogle at her... yes.
Many times, I like the GH13 exactly because it does not at all look pro and I can do things like film a Prince concert.. ect sneak around the Denver airport mostly being ignored and yet shoot little adventure sequences run and gun - but when on hired pro sets, it's time to dress her up. The bigger and flashier the camera, whether I practically need the stuff or not - the more justified the clients feel in spending the money. The most I usually need are some ND filters as I actually like lens flares and light spill... sometimes I need some flags for hot spots but I just throw em on some stands or have a PA get em. I don't have the big lens hoods but they look nice ascetically I have to admit. Some of the prices for these simple platic and metal pieces are astronmical though and approach lens and camera prices themselves, and as Hall & Oats would say, "I can't go for that. No No."
It's funny, but when I throw the GH13 on the steadicam it doubles the production value because it looks 'complicated' and techy.. whether or not I need a steadicam shot I now always bring it to sets.
It's silly, but if you already know what you are doing and how to max the quality out of your amazing GH13, GH2, or AF-100 - the more extra crap you can put on it to look huge, and more complicated, the more perceived value naive clients get, and what is the definition of a good sale - "when both parties are happy". It's just like a woman wearing fancy clothes - is it going to change the woman underneath when you get her home? No... but does it make her look good and make those around her impressed and oogle at her... yes.
Many times, I like the GH13 exactly because it does not at all look pro and I can do things like film a Prince concert.. ect sneak around the Denver airport mostly being ignored and yet shoot little adventure sequences run and gun - but when on hired pro sets, it's time to dress her up. The bigger and flashier the camera, whether I practically need the stuff or not - the more justified the clients feel in spending the money. The most I usually need are some ND filters as I actually like lens flares and light spill... sometimes I need some flags for hot spots but I just throw em on some stands or have a PA get em. I don't have the big lens hoods but they look nice ascetically I have to admit. Some of the prices for these simple platic and metal pieces are astronmical though and approach lens and camera prices themselves, and as Hall & Oats would say, "I can't go for that. No No."
It's funny, but when I throw the GH13 on the steadicam it doubles the production value because it looks 'complicated' and techy.. whether or not I need a steadicam shot I now always bring it to sets.
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Blackout
Veteran
ARG!!!!!
Brun I was all set to go into adorama and plunk down the cash for your cool little setup until I read the fine print (waits of up to a month on multiple items)
bllleeechhhh I want it all, and I want it NOW!
muckman
Member
Here is my GH1 with a cokin p filter and hood on an x-grip with a shock mount. I also use a hoodman h-300 camcorder screen hood with it. People actually think is some new high-end high-tech camcorder. Ridiculous. With the diy shock mount this is less than $50. Get it all on e-bay in a couple of days.
Blackout
Veteran
Lol I already do that... but don't need to when I hook it up to a large lcd or led monitor or better yet, a projector.
pierods
New member
btw the flag is available also for the 100mm lens hood
http://www.cavision.com/matteboxes/more/MBF3.htm
http://www.cavision.com/matteboxes/more/MBF3.htm
Justyn
Veteran
I'm you are going cheap and yet still want to get some use out of a front option, then I highly recommend the soft matteboxes from these guys:
http://www.cinetactics.com/Page.bok?template=c_mb100m
It can fit in a small bag and it's really pretty usefull, besides adding some shiny balls to the rig. I also think that a microphone and a monitor makes a big difference in expectation.
http://www.cinetactics.com/Page.bok?template=c_mb100m
It can fit in a small bag and it's really pretty usefull, besides adding some shiny balls to the rig. I also think that a microphone and a monitor makes a big difference in expectation.
It's been done before, this dressing up a camera to look the part. I've just seen a documentary aired on SBS TV about "Ugly George" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SazhfXO4s98; check out 0.15-0.25) who roamed the streets of New York in the 1970s, with what looked like an Apollo moon lander on his back. He was able to convince some of the women walking past to get their gear off and be photographed. If you have gear that looks the part, the sky's the limit.