hvx + m2 + zeiss = matte box/follow focus possibilities?

Z

zoegwhite

New member
hey guys,

i'm preparing to shoot with the hvx, m2 with pl mount and zeiss lenses.

i have to rent the matte box and follow focus, could anyone explain to me what specifications the rod support and rods are in order to choose the right brand/make?

or could anyone simply list the brand/makes of matte boxes and follow focus' that are most recommended for this set-up?

would anyone like to rent theirs out for a 3 week shoot in new york?

thanks a bunch
 
If you plan on the HVX and M2, I assume you have the correct shims, to raise the HVX slightly to align correctly with the M2. (I don't know if you need this on all rail systems, but it is common on many.)

To answer your question, your rail system will most likely be 15mm, and most everything is for 15mm rail size. Matteboxes vary greatly in function and price. Go for a nice 3 stage bellows if you have the money. You just need to find the meeting point between what you can afford and what you want the mattebox to do. As far as follow focus, I have heard good things about the Redrock FF, and it is less then most follow focus systems. The downside to thier FF system is additional lens gear rings cost $60 while the slightly more expensive Cavision FF system sells its gear rings for $20. But the redrock comes with 3 different sizes, and the cavision comes with none. (I believe) There are other brands and they too will have + and - . As far as worrying about the fit to the rails, you really shouldnt. It comes down to opinion, price, and function. Best of luck

p.s. just remembered, if you are planning a shoot and it is in less then 3 months, you might want to reconsider the redrock FF... they seem to be over flowing with orders right now, and the current wait time seems to be in the 2 month ballpark.
 
excellent, thank you. i'm aware of the wait time with redrock, hence looking at rental houses and what else is available.

curious though, is the redrock FF only for still slr lenses? that's what it says on their website... i'm using pl mount zeiss lenses, so perhaps it's not even an applicable piece of equipment. ??

thanks for your pointers prodigy
 
Thier (redrock) ff system is compatable with whatever lens you can put the geared ring around... they even have a new size gear ring "D" for the HVX body focus ring, so I imagine if you can strap a gear ring on it, the FF will work. I don't have one, but this is what i have come to believe. I am ordering mine soon, right after I purchase my cryogenic freeze chamber to help with the wait. :)
 
Also,

Check out zacuto.com. I talked to Steve there and they are really knowledgable about the HVX, mattebox, M2 and rail configuration options. They spec the Petroff Mattebox for the HVX.

Zacuto also has some of the best pictures of fully tricked out HVX packages.

Good luck,

Rob
 
There is the indiFOCUSgear for $389 with three lens gears, the lens module, and a friction wheel so that you can drive the stock lenses without modifying your camera. Wait time? I can ship within 48 hours. Unlike many other makers, I manufacture/powder coat in house, thus saving the "months" of wait. This also gives me the ability to do any customization that you may need; while not "free", I am very flexible on this route. If you need special gear sizing for your lens/type of lens, I can work with you to get this right...it just takes a few extra days to order the gears and modify them. (Heck, I even give you the option of what color you what the lens gears...)
 
Focus This! said:
There is the indiFOCUSgear for $389 with three lens gears, the lens module, and a friction wheel so that you can drive the stock lenses without modifying your camera.
Click to expand...

I have been interested in your ff, your site only has the gearless version, is there a place to see the geared? Is it basically the gearless with additions for geared?
 
=Prodigy= said:
If you plan on the HVX and M2, I assume you have the correct shims, to raise the HVX slightly to align correctly with the M2. (I don't know if you need this on all rail systems, but it is common on many.)

To answer your question, your rail system will most likely be 15mm, and most everything is for 15mm rail size. Matteboxes vary greatly in function and price. Go for a nice 3 stage bellows if you have the money. You just need to find the meeting point between what you can afford and what you want the mattebox to do. As far as follow focus, I have heard good things about the Redrock FF, and it is less then most follow focus systems. The downside to thier FF system is additional lens gear rings cost $60 while the slightly more expensive Cavision FF system sells its gear rings for $20. But the redrock comes with 3 different sizes, and the cavision comes with none. (I believe) There are other brands and they too will have + and - . As far as worrying about the fit to the rails, you really shouldnt. It comes down to opinion, price, and function. Best of luck

p.s. just remembered, if you are planning a shoot and it is in less then 3 months, you might want to reconsider the redrock FF... they seem to be over flowing with orders right now, and the current wait time seems to be in the 2 month ballpark.
Click to expand...

Prodigy - just to clarify a few things:

- we are currently under 6 weeks lead time for new orders. Our goal (which we are on track for) is to get it under 3 weeks by end of July for new orders. We have really done a lot to ramp up production

- on the CAvision gears, maybe I know a different cavision than you. Their gears are $99 each, and from what I know they only fit video camera lenses (maybe you are thinking of their drive gear? which is 19.95, but that goes on the ff unit). The Redrock lens gears are flexible, and are designed to fit a wide range of lens sizes. lens gears for video camera lenses basically fit one. Also, ours are the first gears with extra width that allows lenses with external focus (i.e., the focus ring moves forwards/backwards as you focus) to still be used effectively with a ff unit
 
bosindy said:
I have been interested in your ff, your site only has the gearless version, is there a place to see the geared? Is it basically the gearless with additions for geared?
Click to expand...
Yes, the friction wheel on the standard model is replaced with a geared module that meshes with the lens gears. You also get the friction wheel---perfect for those times you're shooting with the stock lens and no 35mm adaptor.
Web-site is being updated with photos/testimonials...just waiting for the designers to get finished.
 
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