Do you use a matte box? Is it worth $1500

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DVmaker

Active member
So I'm sitting here with 1500 in one hand and the mouse ready to click the "buy now" button.

Given the particular camera i have I only have a few options. So, those of you that have matte boxes, was it worth the cash?
 
nope, unless your sitting on a LOT more than $1500, its not worth it to blow ur savings, you could get all kinds of useful stuff for 1500. but they do look damn sexy though don't they
 
The way i see it is all matteboxes do the same thing. So i don't understand the reason to spend anything over $300 on a mattebox. Do you really think the difference between a $300 mattebox and a $1500 mattebox is gonna be a $1200 difference? NO WAY!

I looked at the indie snap, cinetactics, and cavision. I don't like the indie snap because its so big and yet not supported by rods, i just don't like the idea of something that big being held on only by the lens threads. The cinetactics isn't bad but i'm often in dusty environments and i think the fact its a woven mattebox would make it trap alot of dust which is just bad. The CAVISION one is very reasonably priced, holds 2 filters, and for an extra $100 can have a french and side flags added. Thats what i'll be going with.
 
Well, the CAVISION is heavier than both the indie snap and cinetactics, if I'm not totally mistaken. The main difference between a $300 and a $1500-2000 matte box is the number of filters they can hold, and build quality, right?

Although, no one in the world would ever make me justify buying a matte box any more expensive than $300. It's simply not worth it for the indie filmmaker.
 
MiniMan said:
Well, the CAVISION is heavier than both the indie snap and cinetactics, if I'm not totally mistaken. The main difference between a $300 and a $1500-2000 matte box is the number of filters they can hold, and build quality, right?

Although, no one in the world would ever make me justify buying a matte box any more expensive than $300. It's simply not worth it for the indie filmmaker.
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I dunno that it is heavier, They make both a plastic and a metal version. I can't imagine a plastic 4x4 mattebox is heavier than the indiesnap. I do alot of run and gun stuff and for me i'd rather have a slightly smaller cavision mounted to rods than a huge indisnap hanging off the front, for fear of bumping it into something more than the weight of it pulling it off. Plus with the cavision i can leave the flags off for in the field run and gun style and then when i'm setting up shots on projects that allow it i can use the flags to better control the light. I guess to me thats more appealing. I think thats part of it you just have to look at the different options and figure out whats best for you. For the size of the indie snap if your only gonna use it for well setup shots i do think it would give better light blocking options than the cavision. But i'd look at the cavision, indie snap, and cinetactics and make your decision from those. They are all similar in price and you would probably be happy with any of them.
 
J5 squared said:
The way i see it is all matteboxes do the same thing.
Click to expand...

If all you are trying to do is cut down on some flare here and there, then yeah -- pretty much. However, a lot of us need to support 4x4 filters and on top of that we need rotating stages for polarizers (and creative use of grads, etc.). I also prefer my french flag to be on a hinge instead of locked down like some cheaper versions.

$1500 on a matte box isn't for everyone, but there are reasons for buying the higher priced models.
 
Owen said:
If all you are trying to do is cut down on some flare here and there, then yeah -- pretty much. However, a lot of us need to support 4x4 filters and on top of that we need rotating stages for polarizers (and creative use of grads, etc.). I also prefer my french flag to be on a hinge instead of locked down like some cheaper versions.

$1500 on a matte box isn't for everyone, but there are reasons for buying the higher priced models.
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I hear ya, but this 4x4 mattebox holds 2 filters, 1 rotating, plus the flags are all on hinges. For me thats good enough for a $300 mattebox.

http://www.cavision.com/matteboxes/4x4hs/4x4hs.htm
 
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owen's got it, there's a $1500 mattebox for a reason, but if ur here never having used one, asking if it's worth it, it's not for you. Save the dough
 
J5 squared said:
The way i see it is all matteboxes do the same thing. So i don't understand the reason to spend anything over $300 on a mattebox. Do you really think the difference between a $300 mattebox and a $1500 mattebox is gonna be a $1200 difference? NO WAY!

I looked at the indie snap, cinetactics, and cavision. I don't like the indie snap because its so big and yet not supported by rods, i just don't like the idea of something that big being held on only by the lens threads. The cinetactics isn't bad but i'm often in dusty environments and i think the fact its a woven mattebox would make it trap alot of dust which is just bad. The CAVISION one is very reasonably priced, holds 2 filters, and for an extra $100 can have a french and side flags added. Thats what i'll be going with.
Click to expand...

I own a Cavsion and the Indie snap as I have a DVX 100a and 100b. I bought the Indiesnap second and it works very well. I use it with a rotating glass polarizer and ND grads. Most of the time I use it outdoors with just the top French flag and no side flags. If I use filters indoors I generally use it without any flags. It's very light.

Spend the $189.00 and use the remaing $1300. 00 for other toys.

S Cannon
 
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J5 squared said:
I hear ya, but this 4x4 mattebox holds 2 filters, 1 rotating, plus the flags are all on hinges. For me thats good enough for a $300 mattebox.

http://www.cavision.com/matteboxes/4x4hs/4x4hs.htm
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That would be awesome for $300, but anytime I've looked into it the cost at least doubles when you add the flags, rod supports, etc. BH is $599. It's still a far cry from $1500 though. The only reason I even have the Chrosziel is that it was the only one that fit the 16x9 adapter back in 2003.

On a related note, I lost a tiny nut that secures the box to the rod support. If I can find the right size at Home Depot it will cost fifty cents... to get it from Chrosziel is going to run $11.00 PLUS shipping!
 
Ya i noticed the 4x4s are more, but i personally am going to get a 3x3 one, bh has the plastic ones for $169 and metal for $209. Flags are like $59 for top and i believe same for sides, according to the cavision page. Rods i don't count because i need those to hold my follow focus anyways. I know that some need a $1500 mattebox, but was like said before, if you don't know if you need it then you don't. Just get a cheaper one for now and most likely you won't be dissappointed.

On that note though, does anyone know if a 3x3 mattebox on a dvx is usable? I've heard on an fx1 and zero zoom there is vignetting. Will the dvx get the same?
 
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depends what your shooting. For me screw on filters are fine. I spent about £100 on several second hand ones, hoya & tiffen. More than adequate.
 
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