Just PMed a fellow DVXUSER who purchased a Cavision Bellows style mattebox from me, thought I'd post some of the info I sent him here- hopefully some new to matteboxes will find this useful...
Many people are used to buying the barrel style lenses for the end of their stock video lens, but as some people are new to matteboxes, they have questions about buying quality glass for them.
First off, what are the main reasons to buy a mattebox? Well, the main reason is of course, the blocking out of unwanted light- preventing spill from hittting your lens, and causing flaring or overexposure etc. But what's the other main reason?
Well, there is the "cool factor"... you know- to impress clients and hot looking model types. Yeah of course, there's that.
But the next biggest reason is it gives you a whole range of drop in filters to work with. For instance, we used the Cavision I mentioned a few months back at our studio for shooting our Inner Beauty and The Shed indie film shorts.
This was a bellows style mattebox, which we used with our HVX200a. You had a choice of using two 4x4 filter stages- one fixed, and one rotating. SEE PIC:
The nice thing about the drop in filters is as they are independent from the barrel lens, you can use it with a 35 mm adapter and not have to monkey around with the screwing stuff on and off the barrel, once everything is all set.
You just pop out the filter stages, place a 4x4 glass filter in the frame and drop it back in- finger tighten the screw and you're good to go. No need to worry about changing the whole barrel setup which can be a pain when using a 35 mm adapter, focus pull system etc.
Looking for drop in filters? As far as the mattebox and filters are concerned, I'd keep my eyes open here on DVXUSER for a good set of Tiffen (best) or Lee (very good) glass- maybe some Cokins (OK) if on a tight budget. I see used Tiffen sets with padded cases going once and awhile here on DVXUSER marketplace for 30-60 percent off list. Just make sure the glass is clean, nick free etc.
With a mattebox, you definitely want at least a basic 4x4 kit: a UV filter (unless you have one on the cam barrel already- no need for two unless you are having zoom through or vignette issues), a polarizer, maybe some ND grad filters, or some colored filters like amber, yellow, blue etc for different effects. Of course, there are many, many FX style filters too...
You can check out this link to research some of the various 4x4 filters at BHPhotoVideo- if someone makes it, then they probably stock it. Even if you buy elsewhere, they are a good starting point for info. They also have a great used gear department you could browse through to save some bux on your glass.... I'd look for filters rated at least 9.0 or above if buying used.
Hope that helps... good luck filming!
Many people are used to buying the barrel style lenses for the end of their stock video lens, but as some people are new to matteboxes, they have questions about buying quality glass for them.
First off, what are the main reasons to buy a mattebox? Well, the main reason is of course, the blocking out of unwanted light- preventing spill from hittting your lens, and causing flaring or overexposure etc. But what's the other main reason?
Well, there is the "cool factor"... you know- to impress clients and hot looking model types. Yeah of course, there's that.
But the next biggest reason is it gives you a whole range of drop in filters to work with. For instance, we used the Cavision I mentioned a few months back at our studio for shooting our Inner Beauty and The Shed indie film shorts.
This was a bellows style mattebox, which we used with our HVX200a. You had a choice of using two 4x4 filter stages- one fixed, and one rotating. SEE PIC:
The nice thing about the drop in filters is as they are independent from the barrel lens, you can use it with a 35 mm adapter and not have to monkey around with the screwing stuff on and off the barrel, once everything is all set.
You just pop out the filter stages, place a 4x4 glass filter in the frame and drop it back in- finger tighten the screw and you're good to go. No need to worry about changing the whole barrel setup which can be a pain when using a 35 mm adapter, focus pull system etc.
Looking for drop in filters? As far as the mattebox and filters are concerned, I'd keep my eyes open here on DVXUSER for a good set of Tiffen (best) or Lee (very good) glass- maybe some Cokins (OK) if on a tight budget. I see used Tiffen sets with padded cases going once and awhile here on DVXUSER marketplace for 30-60 percent off list. Just make sure the glass is clean, nick free etc.
With a mattebox, you definitely want at least a basic 4x4 kit: a UV filter (unless you have one on the cam barrel already- no need for two unless you are having zoom through or vignette issues), a polarizer, maybe some ND grad filters, or some colored filters like amber, yellow, blue etc for different effects. Of course, there are many, many FX style filters too...
You can check out this link to research some of the various 4x4 filters at BHPhotoVideo- if someone makes it, then they probably stock it. Even if you buy elsewhere, they are a good starting point for info. They also have a great used gear department you could browse through to save some bux on your glass.... I'd look for filters rated at least 9.0 or above if buying used.
Hope that helps... good luck filming!