Jim_Miller
New member
Greetings fellow DVX100 lovers!
I will be reviewing the Cinetactics Matteblox mb100m setup for another major technology site, but after spending a full day with it, I wanted to share my experience with you guys first.
First off, when you consider the cost of all your equipment, the Matteblox is dirt cheap. So go for the whole package right from the start, otherwise you will kick yourself later. I believe they are still running a special for our group, so you really should invest in it now.
I have to admit that in the looks department, the Cinetactics package doesn't quite stack up to those astronomically-priced setups, but once you start using it, you'll forget all about the looks. Other than a bit of a tussle getting the lens shade onto the 72mm threaded adapter (a must-have!), it was all smooth sailing. The whole system is very functional, and as we know, velcro will outlive civilization as we know it. The filter holders are really practical if you live in a major city where you can actually rent pro 4x4 filters. They slip right in and hold firm. In fact, I doubt if any amount of mishandling will knock them loose.
The standard French Flag is pretty cool, and will probably work just fine about 95% of the time, but I do recommend the Oversize French Flag, as you are will almost never have to worry about flare unless you are actually looking to use it creatively. And while the Cinetactics people are hard at work on a matte box for the Panasonic Anamorphic lens (which is another "must have"), the oversized French flag can be used pretty easily until the real thing arrives. I use standard black gaffer's tape to wrap it around the lens and it works quite well. In all the footage I shot today (I keep thinking about all the hours I am putting on the heads--groan), I never had the slightest hint of flare in any shot, whether I used the standard Matteblox on the normal lens, or the anamorphic converter with the oversized flag.
Since this is a real value package, you might think the company would skimp on the extras, but they don't. All items come with convenient carrying cases. I had to do some mental gymnastics before I could fit the oversized flag into its case (there's a flap on the flag that must be folded down), but everything is now sitting in my camera case, ready to get back to work.
I hope this helps if you have been considering the Matteblox and wondered if it is "pro" enough. At a bargain price, the Matteblox products perform perfectly. I'm thrilled by the results and I'm pretty sure you will be, as well.
Jim
I will be reviewing the Cinetactics Matteblox mb100m setup for another major technology site, but after spending a full day with it, I wanted to share my experience with you guys first.
First off, when you consider the cost of all your equipment, the Matteblox is dirt cheap. So go for the whole package right from the start, otherwise you will kick yourself later. I believe they are still running a special for our group, so you really should invest in it now.
I have to admit that in the looks department, the Cinetactics package doesn't quite stack up to those astronomically-priced setups, but once you start using it, you'll forget all about the looks. Other than a bit of a tussle getting the lens shade onto the 72mm threaded adapter (a must-have!), it was all smooth sailing. The whole system is very functional, and as we know, velcro will outlive civilization as we know it. The filter holders are really practical if you live in a major city where you can actually rent pro 4x4 filters. They slip right in and hold firm. In fact, I doubt if any amount of mishandling will knock them loose.
The standard French Flag is pretty cool, and will probably work just fine about 95% of the time, but I do recommend the Oversize French Flag, as you are will almost never have to worry about flare unless you are actually looking to use it creatively. And while the Cinetactics people are hard at work on a matte box for the Panasonic Anamorphic lens (which is another "must have"), the oversized French flag can be used pretty easily until the real thing arrives. I use standard black gaffer's tape to wrap it around the lens and it works quite well. In all the footage I shot today (I keep thinking about all the hours I am putting on the heads--groan), I never had the slightest hint of flare in any shot, whether I used the standard Matteblox on the normal lens, or the anamorphic converter with the oversized flag.
Since this is a real value package, you might think the company would skimp on the extras, but they don't. All items come with convenient carrying cases. I had to do some mental gymnastics before I could fit the oversized flag into its case (there's a flap on the flag that must be folded down), but everything is now sitting in my camera case, ready to get back to work.
I hope this helps if you have been considering the Matteblox and wondered if it is "pro" enough. At a bargain price, the Matteblox products perform perfectly. I'm thrilled by the results and I'm pretty sure you will be, as well.
Jim
