GH1 mattebox help

H

Homunculus

Carbonite Member
Hello all. I need to purchase a mattebox rig very soon.

Can any of you take a look at this indian mattebox http://cgi.ebay.com/Jumbo-Matte-Box...tem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c55c333ab

and anyone who has experience with it tell me if it's good and if it fits on GH1?

I need something very cheap as I don't have the money at the moment to afford anything above 400+ as I still need $ for the rails and all that.

Also, can anyone recommend any other lower end matteboxes for GH1?

and if anyone happens to be selling one, feel free to show me or PM me as well.

thanks
 
For the GH1 you definitely need a mattebox that mounts on rails and has the "donut" style rear rings which dont' actually screw into the lens threads. This is because A) the matte box will be too heavy for the GH1 lenses/mount to support and B) many lenses you'll use on the GH1 will not have internal focus systems and the front thread, along with the attached matte box, will rotate whenever you focus.
 
I can vouch for the Cinecity mattebox. I have one and it does exactly what it is supposed to with no problems. Just make sure you order the correct filter size ring when you order the matte box. I ordered the wrong one and Cinecity would not exchange it for the right size. They told me the customs fee they would have to pay if I sent it back would be too expensive for them. Whatever happened to 30 days to get your money back or exchange if you aren't completely satisfied? I guess they don't do that in India. :kali:

By the way, what do you need a mattebox for? If you are going to use it for ND filters, why not just buy the Tiffen ones? They can be stacked and you won't have to worry about carrying around a bulky matte box and square filters. If you need it for the french flag to cut out lens flare then just get a lens hood. Just a suggestion. I haven't even used my matte box on my GH13. I only used it on my HPX170. I'll be buying some 52mm Tiffen ND filters for my GH13 and will use a 62mm to 52mm step down ring to put them on the kit lens. :happy:
 
filmkid thanks, I know a few people on this forum have vouched for that indian stuff and said not only is it pretty decent for the price but it comes unexpectedly quickly too (i.e. they ship fast). you can't really go too wrong with that price.
You have good ideas for not using a mattebox but using one I think has a few advantages over sticking filters on

1. the light blockage is much bigger than any lens hood I know of, the top flag extends a lot further, unless you're talking about some other type of lens hood I've never seen.

2. the mattebox has 2 slost for nd filters which means you can use an ND AND a polarizer at the same time, or an ND and a whatever else you want which is a pretty big advantage as I plan to use ND + Polarizer...not sure how you'd do that with your method if possible

3. the psychological effect the professional looking rig system has upon either prospective employers, or talent you hire/recruit is an added bonus because shooting with a DSLR to begin with most people don't take that too seriously. But if they see your tiny gh1 beneath this huge rig of matteboxes, top flags, sideflags, followfocuses, rails, what-have-you...the psychological effect is not to be underestimated and people will take you a little more seriously despite the fact that your actual footage may not improve at all from this superficial addition. Personally I'm not professional and am getting into the filmmaking side of things out of love not profit (initially at least) and so when I recruit people on upcoming projects I want them to be able to take me and my rig a little more seriously rather than just seeing a tiny little gh1 sticking out on a tripod and saying, you shoot with THAT?

Oh and lastly, a rig needs rails eventually ANYWAY because anyone who is serious about shooting film needs at least a follow focus with optional whip and so if you're going to have the rails anyway might as well slap a cheap mattebox on there too as the cinecity one is especially cheap if you buy the one without rail support and if you already have rails from a followfocus or something else.
 
I use this one with my GH13:

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http://www.imagewest.tv/servlet/the...category=Camera+Support+Equipment:Matte+Boxes

ImageWest.tv gives a DVXuser discount of 10% if you call in your order. I work there and you may even talk to me if you call in :)

It's a little bit pricier than the one in India, but it is in the US and comes with side flags and a riser, and also uses the foam donuts.
 
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Too bad you couldn't have posted a bit earlier. I have been looking to get one for the upcoming trip, but it is a little too late to order now.

majikfraug said:
ImageWest.tv gives a DVXuser discount of 10% if you call in your order. I work there and you may even talk to me if you call in :)

It's a little bit pricier than the one in India, but it is in the US and comes with side flags and a riser, and also uses the foam donuts.
Click to expand...
 
Of all the reasons, that matte box and extra stuff to make the camera 'look' bigger are most important for your #3

"3. the psychological effect the professional looking rig system has upon either prospective employers, or talent you hire/recruit is an added bonus because shooting with a DSLR to begin with most people don't take that too seriously. But if they see your tiny gh1 beneath this huge rig of matteboxes, top flags, sideflags, followfocuses, rails, what-have-you...the psychological effect is not to be underestimated and people will take you a little more seriously despite the fact that your actual footage may not improve at all from this superficial addition."

It's funny because I have had a bunch of cameras and done corporate and client stuff on and off. Back when I had a Canon XL1 and XL2, and when the DVX100 first came out I was one of the first buyers, but clients always wanted my Canon Xls even though the footage was totally inferior to the DVX, because the Canon XL1 & XL2 'looked' expensive and pro. The DVX looked like a little poo poo box.

So, RIG the hell out of your GH1 just for the show of it... it works... mine looks like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwwF3iGu_sQ

The more crap you can add to it to make it look longer and more complex looking the better. I was thinking of just attaching some random long metal pieces from a pro bike shop for the hell of it. Some of the stuff actually helps you but for the most part the value is in the psychological effect of making it look like a robot, transformer, or big film camera, not a lil still camera. I'm serious!

For people in the know, they will know what's real and what is bullshi* showoff stuff... but they will still like it, for people out of the know... "WOW.. that looks.... COMPLEX.. I must have to pay you more to work that pro thing."

My camera is 'longer' than yours attracts more female clients as well.
 
Conversely, what I love about the GH-1 is I can go into the streets w/it barebones and do whatever I want w/no hassles, the most people thinking doing is taking stills and somehow psychologically that isn't a threat like 1080P video!
 
Blackout said:
Of all the reasons, that matte box and extra stuff to make the camera 'look' bigger are most important for your #3

"3. the psychological effect the professional looking rig system has upon either prospective employers, or talent you hire/recruit is an added bonus because shooting with a DSLR to begin with most people don't take that too seriously. But if they see your tiny gh1 beneath this huge rig of matteboxes, top flags, sideflags, followfocuses, rails, what-have-you...the psychological effect is not to be underestimated and people will take you a little more seriously despite the fact that your actual footage may not improve at all from this superficial addition."

It's funny because I have had a bunch of cameras and done corporate and client stuff on and off. Back when I had a Canon XL1 and XL2, and when the DVX100 first came out I was one of the first buyers, but clients always wanted my Canon Xls even though the footage was totally inferior to the DVX, because the Canon XL1 & XL2 'looked' expensive and pro. The DVX looked like a little poo poo box.

So, RIG the hell out of your GH1 just for the show of it... it works... mine looks like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwwF3iGu_sQ

The more crap you can add to it to make it look longer and more complex looking the better. I was thinking of just attaching some random long metal pieces from a pro bike shop for the hell of it. Some of the stuff actually helps you but for the most part the value is in the psychological effect of making it look like a robot, transformer, or big film camera, not a lil still camera. I'm serious!

For people in the know, they will know what's real and what is bullshi* showoff stuff... but they will still like it, for people out of the know... "WOW.. that looks.... COMPLEX.. I must have to pay you more to work that pro thing."

My camera is 'longer' than yours attracts more female clients as well.
Click to expand...


Interesting. I have a challenge for you. Give Homunculus a Red One with a matte box, french flags, rails, ND filters, follow focus, a whip, a complete lighting kit, a 5,000 watt generator, six gallons of gas and a five person crew and just give Steven Spielberg a Super 8 camera and nothing else and drop them both off in the middle of the Mojave desert (hence the generator and gasonline) and see which one makes a better film. Hahaha! Ready, set... go! :happy:

My point is, just because one guy has all this stuff that a lot of people say is "necessary" to make a good film and another guy doesn't, doesn't mean the guy with all the "necessary" stuff will make a better film. Maybe he will, maybe he won't. It all comes down to the story and how much talent the filmmaker possesses. Just my opinion.
 
Blackout was simply talking about people's perspectives. He wasn't saying these tools would make you a better film maker.

Filmkid2003 said:
Interesting. I have a challenge for you. Give Homunculus a Red One with a matte box, french flags, rails, ND filters, follow focus, a whip, a complete lighting kit, a 5,000 watt generator, six gallons of gas and a five person crew and just give Steven Spielberg a Super 8 camera and nothing else and drop them both off in the middle of the Mojave desert (hence the generator and gasonline) and see which one makes a better film. Hahaha! Ready, set... go! :happy:

My point is, just because one guy has all this stuff that a lot of people say is "necessary" to make a good film and another guy doesn't, doesn't mean the guy with all the "necessary" stuff will make a better film. Maybe he will, maybe he won't. It all comes down to the story and how much talent the filmmaker possesses. Just my opinion.
Click to expand...
 
Blackout said:
Of all the reasons, that matte box and extra stuff to make the camera 'look' bigger are most important for your #3

"3. the psychological effect the professional looking rig system has upon either prospective employers, or talent you hire/recruit is an added bonus because shooting with a DSLR to begin with most people don't take that too seriously. But if they see your tiny gh1 beneath this huge rig of matteboxes, top flags, sideflags, followfocuses, rails, what-have-you...the psychological effect is not to be underestimated and people will take you a little more seriously despite the fact that your actual footage may not improve at all from this superficial addition."

It's funny because I have had a bunch of cameras and done corporate and client stuff on and off. Back when I had a Canon XL1 and XL2, and when the DVX100 first came out I was one of the first buyers, but clients always wanted my Canon Xls even though the footage was totally inferior to the DVX, because the Canon XL1 & XL2 'looked' expensive and pro. The DVX looked like a little poo poo box.

So, RIG the hell out of your GH1 just for the show of it... it works... mine looks like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwwF3iGu_sQ

The more crap you can add to it to make it look longer and more complex looking the better. I was thinking of just attaching some random long metal pieces from a pro bike shop for the hell of it. Some of the stuff actually helps you but for the most part the value is in the psychological effect of making it look like a robot, transformer, or big film camera, not a lil still camera. I'm serious!

For people in the know, they will know what's real and what is bullshi* showoff stuff... but they will still like it, for people out of the know... "WOW.. that looks.... COMPLEX.. I must have to pay you more to work that pro thing."

My camera is 'longer' than yours attracts more female clients as well.
Click to expand...

you're often sarcastic/facetious so I don't know whether you're joking or not but that was a pretty funny post but either way I wasn't joking and I do think it's a serious point and an important one if you want to work in any realistic/professional regard. It's just one of those annoying cultural formalities that has to be done
 
Filmkid2003 said:
Interesting. I have a challenge for you. Give Homunculus a Red One with a matte box, french flags, rails, ND filters, follow focus, a whip, a complete lighting kit, a 5,000 watt generator, six gallons of gas and a five person crew and just give Steven Spielberg a Super 8 camera and nothing else and drop them both off in the middle of the Mojave desert (hence the generator and gasonline) and see which one makes a better film. Hahaha! Ready, set... go! :happy:

My point is, just because one guy has all this stuff that a lot of people say is "necessary" to make a good film and another guy doesn't, doesn't mean the guy with all the "necessary" stuff will make a better film. Maybe he will, maybe he won't. It all comes down to the story and how much talent the filmmaker possesses. Just my opinion.
Click to expand...
I'll use the gasoline to douse spielberg and set him on fire then I win by default. :violent5:

jk lol

but seriously no one is talking about what can be done with what tools, we're talking about the PERCEPTION, you're misunderstanding the point
 
Homunculus said:
I'll use the gasoline to douse spielberg and set him on fire then I win by default. :violent5:

jk lol

but seriously no one is talking about what can be done with what tools, we're talking about the PERCEPTION, you're misunderstanding the point
Click to expand...



Hahaha! Yeah, I would pay to see that. I didn't misunderstand the point at all. You were refering to the "psychological effect" that having all that stuff would have on the client. And my point is, what kind of psychological effect do you think Spielberg standing there with a simple GH1 in his extremely talented hands versus an average Joe film maker standing there with a GH1 and tons of other stuff in his hands would have on the client? Do you think they would choose the guy who is an extremely talented storyteller with a simple camera or the guy who is an okay storyteller with all this extra added "stuff" (and I'm not referring to you as an "okay" storyteller... I just mean anyone who doesn't have near the track record that Spielberg has). What I mean is, you can have all the added extra gear you want and the client will only be impressed IF the final outcome looks great.

Me personally, I was in the same boat as you. Before I started shooting my film, I bought all this extra gear because I thought I NEEDED it to make a decent film. Matte box with ND filters, Cinemek G35 adapter, Sennheiser G3 wireless audio system, Small DP1 monitor, DVRig Pro shoulder mount, etc. I ended up just using my HPX170 on a tripod or holding it with my own two hands because I didn't have time to tweek everything for every shot (I can only shoot one day a week at this point and I have a 60 page script so its go, go, go) and I discovered that the wireless sound system would crap out and I ended up with audio I couldn't even use. It all became too cumbersome. Sold my HPX170, Cinemek G35, Sennheiser wireless sound system and now I just shoot with my GH1 and a tripod and I plan on hooking up my DP1 monitor to it if Tester13 comes up with a HDMI out patch for monitoring. Like I said, more important than all that extra crap is a great story and the ability to tell it well. :happy:

If you think having all that stuff will help you be a better storyteller than, by all means, spend the money and buy it. But, for me, I ended up selling it (for less than what I paid for it, unfortunately) so I can shoot a lot quicker and get the movie finished since I have a crew of one. Me. Hahaha!
 
What kind of psychological effect would it have on us if Speilberg with a simple GH1 walked over to average Joe film maker with tons of other stuff and said "May I borrow your Matte box and your ND filters?"
 
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