Do you need a matte box?
- Thread starter jokerzd
- Start date
A mattebox is great for holding filters - BUT, its purpose is to stop flare caused by errant light striking the lens. Aside from the filter trays - a Mattebox is essential.
David W. Jones
Veteran
I own several matte boxes as well as several rubber lens hoods. Sometimes they are needed sometimes they are not.
I think it is more or less a "style of shooting" kinda thing, cuz you hear ppl like Noel say "essential"
and then other say it slows them down like shane hurlbut (from what i have read)
yet others say "your tiny dslr looks VERY un-prof., so by using matte-box + some big, nice lookin flags, you look like a pro again, especially since many who give you work, dont know much about cameras - as long as you look pro, you ARE pro"
so like i said, it "your style" of shooting, sometimes they get in your way, sometimes without them you dont get a usable image and sometimes you dont get to make images at all (business) without them ^^
if you got the money, get one AND if you have a chance to test some, maybe you like the ones that dont need any supporting rods - they simply get "clamped" onto the front of your lens - best of both worlds i guess?
though if "f3" is all you gonna use, and if you are a pro (using a f3 means u are a pro (or simply rich ^^) then ofcourse the whole "looking pro" shouldn affect you but what do u mean by internal filter system? If i remeber correctly, the panny af 102 has internal filters but the sony doesnt - right?
-hydarnes
and then other say it slows them down like shane hurlbut (from what i have read)
yet others say "your tiny dslr looks VERY un-prof., so by using matte-box + some big, nice lookin flags, you look like a pro again, especially since many who give you work, dont know much about cameras - as long as you look pro, you ARE pro"
so like i said, it "your style" of shooting, sometimes they get in your way, sometimes without them you dont get a usable image and sometimes you dont get to make images at all (business) without them ^^
if you got the money, get one AND if you have a chance to test some, maybe you like the ones that dont need any supporting rods - they simply get "clamped" onto the front of your lens - best of both worlds i guess?
though if "f3" is all you gonna use, and if you are a pro (using a f3 means u are a pro (or simply rich ^^) then ofcourse the whole "looking pro" shouldn affect you but what do u mean by internal filter system? If i remeber correctly, the panny af 102 has internal filters but the sony doesnt - right?
-hydarnes
David W. Jones
Veteran
Shooting style? Pro look?
A matte box is a tool just like a wireless microphone. it's as simple as that.
I wouldn't hook up a wireless mic if I were shooting MOS, anymore than I would attach a tripod when shooting handheld. Just like I wouldn't add a matte box if I didn't need to add filters or stop stray light from hitting the lens.
That being said, yes a matte box can make that big of a difference in a shot when there is the need.
All the Best!
Dave
A matte box is a tool just like a wireless microphone. it's as simple as that.
I wouldn't hook up a wireless mic if I were shooting MOS, anymore than I would attach a tripod when shooting handheld. Just like I wouldn't add a matte box if I didn't need to add filters or stop stray light from hitting the lens.
That being said, yes a matte box can make that big of a difference in a shot when there is the need.
All the Best!
Dave
Ryan Patrick O'Hara
Veteran
It totally helps me. Even modern lenses with modern coatings are very susceptible to side flares as well as other flares. If you don't want flares or contrast reduction it's a life saver to help keep the image consistent and continuous.
Holding filters is also important. I use filters all the time. I rock BPM's often. I mainly work with cameras w/o internal ND, so I rock those and a pola when outside or on wides. Etc. During dangerous, wet, or explosive situations, an optical flat is a life saver.
Those are the obvious main advantages.... others small ones include...
- Mattebox protects the lens... if a grip or fellow crew member is moving something near the camera, having the lens recessed 4-5 inches within a housing really reduces the chances of somebody accidentally bumping into, hitting or scratching the lens. The eye-brow is a good emergency tool to keep things from entering the lens. Say you're on a close up shot with a 32mm lens. That means you are likely just 4-5 feet away from the persons face. Say last looks is called and a makeup girl does not give you the courtesy of telling you (the cameraman) that she's going to use hairspray... next thing you know there's a cloud of sticky alcohol and chemicals headed straight for your $15,000 lens... flipping the eye-brow down to cover the mattebox opening and then turning the camera is a great method to save the lens. This is just one of many examples (mist, water droplets, etc, are others.)
- Mattebox can serve as a great way to hold the camera. Yes. It's true. Pistol grips are not everyone's choice for how to handle a camera. Many HUGE DP's in the industry favor holding the right side of the camera by the mattebox. This video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDMRB5cCrzY&feature=player_detailpage#t=253s is the only example I can think of, but it is quite popular. Here is a product from O'Connor which is supposed to improve this type of shooting: http://www.fdtimes.com/news/oconnor/get-a-grip-on-your-mattebox.
Jon Fauer, ASC says:
Holding filters is also important. I use filters all the time. I rock BPM's often. I mainly work with cameras w/o internal ND, so I rock those and a pola when outside or on wides. Etc. During dangerous, wet, or explosive situations, an optical flat is a life saver.
Those are the obvious main advantages.... others small ones include...
- Mattebox protects the lens... if a grip or fellow crew member is moving something near the camera, having the lens recessed 4-5 inches within a housing really reduces the chances of somebody accidentally bumping into, hitting or scratching the lens. The eye-brow is a good emergency tool to keep things from entering the lens. Say you're on a close up shot with a 32mm lens. That means you are likely just 4-5 feet away from the persons face. Say last looks is called and a makeup girl does not give you the courtesy of telling you (the cameraman) that she's going to use hairspray... next thing you know there's a cloud of sticky alcohol and chemicals headed straight for your $15,000 lens... flipping the eye-brow down to cover the mattebox opening and then turning the camera is a great method to save the lens. This is just one of many examples (mist, water droplets, etc, are others.)
- Mattebox can serve as a great way to hold the camera. Yes. It's true. Pistol grips are not everyone's choice for how to handle a camera. Many HUGE DP's in the industry favor holding the right side of the camera by the mattebox. This video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDMRB5cCrzY&feature=player_detailpage#t=253s is the only example I can think of, but it is quite popular. Here is a product from O'Connor which is supposed to improve this type of shooting: http://www.fdtimes.com/news/oconnor/get-a-grip-on-your-mattebox.
Jon Fauer, ASC says:
Flares are not just the specular ghosts. There is veiling flare as well. Veiling flare will happen even if the sun is behind you. Its just errant light.
Jordan Scott Price
Veteran
I have been shooting with a matte box for half a year, renting mostly until I finally bought one. It's hard to function without it because I use filters all the time, and I'm often finding myself stuffing lights into corners, just out of frame, which would flare the lens without the box and flags.
As for looks, I couldn't care less. Form follows function.
As for looks, I couldn't care less. Form follows function.
Interesting you bring up the grip style of placing your control hand far forward. If you happen to take a well respected tactical rifle course, you'll find more often than not, they will teach you to hold the rifle farther towards the muzzle. It provides good stability and the ability to quickly acquisition a target without excessive wobble due to the human body momentarily fighting with inertia.