I bought the Formatt 500 Matt Box

astroanalyst

astroanalyst

Well-known member
So after reading numerous posts and asking the manufacturer I decided to buy the Formatt 500 matte box for the dvx100a. I also bought the 72mm ring adapter. ....  My question...

do I first put on the Matt box then the ring over it to lock it in?   Then screw down the chrome screw to tighten it?...  
The microphone looks like its in the way...  I think I'll only be able to put in filters from the bottom... but not be able to spin them completely around.

Can I remove the flag (hood..what do you call it?) by pressing a button or do I have to unscrew the 4 screws that seem to hold it in?

If I have to leave this on while in transit what case does the whole camera fit into?

Did I make a mistake by 'saving money' and buying this?  All I wanted was something to hold filters...  this was the cheapest option.
 
Re: I bought the Formatt 500 Matt Box

Hello again asroanalyst

No, you haven't made a mistake with this matte box. It does the job - it's probably just not as refined as some of its more expensive cousins ...

I screw the adapter ring onto the lens first - moderately tight so it doesn't come loose later, but don't force it.

Then marry the ring to the flanges on the box - ckeck that it is level on the camera and then tighten the thumbscrew - and that should be it!

I find that with care (you COULD scratch the filter on the microphone) that the front holder is useable from the top. I usually use this slot for grads - I find it is easy to slide them up and down from the top. To be honest, I haven't tried, but I think it would be tricky to use a grad in the rotateable holder - there would be no scope for lifting it up and down and I don't think a useable rotateable position could be found anyway. However, any normal 4X4 filter will go into the second holder from underneath and they CAN be rotated.

As you say yourself, the main useage is for holding filters and I use the box with the flag in place very rarely - you'll know when you absolutely need it. The answer to the question is: slacken the four screws, slide the flag off (the screws are in slots, not holes), tighten the screws back in so they don't get lost - and always keep a small cross-head screwdriver in your kitbag.

The issues I find using the flag are that

a: it's a nightmare in high winds

b: you gotta be really, REALLY careful that it's not in shot - unless you've got a field monitor there's really no way of knowing for sure that you've got the balance between keeping light off the lens and there being a nasty black (flapping in a strong wind!) band across the top of your picture.

Sadly I have no idea about a suitable bag but I hope this has been helpful.

Michael
 
Re: I bought the Formatt 500 Matt Box

Hey!! Your not alone, I just bought it yesterday and it's already on the road from B&H Photo.
 
Re: I bought the Formatt 500 Matt Box

Thanks for the reply Michael. I did what you said and things are working out much better.

I did run into one issue though. The little flap that closes on top of the filters is still being blocked by the microphone. I'm thinking now that if I were to screw on a round uv protector first then the ring then the box it would bring the box out far enough to clear the mics. What do you think?
 
Re: I bought the Formatt 500 Matt Box

If you want full functionality from you FM-500 then opt for a conical step-up ring like the Cavision ARP85-72 and the Formatt 85mm clamp-on adapter. This set-up will allow you to use the Formatt like it was intended with no vignetting even at full wide.

The only problem with this set-up is that Formatt U.K. is the ONLY place to get the 85mm clamp-on adapter so it may take a couple of days to get it from accross the pond-and the adapter is a bit pricey at about $80(US), but that includes shipping.

I've been using this set-up with grads and love it. Unfortunately getting the Formatt to work properly is... well... work.

Hope this helps.
 
Re: I bought the Formatt 500 Matt Box

Hey Tim,
Wow... so if I don't get the Cavision ARP85-72 and the Formatt 85mm I'll experience vignetting on wide shots?
 
Re: I bought the Formatt 500 Matt Box

Not at all!

If you use the standard 72mm adapter alone, the FM-500 WILL NOT vignette on full wide. Using the FM-500 this way means you need to load filters from the bottom and when using grads, you're limited to the fixed filter tray as opposed to having the rotating tray which is ideal. When using the set-up I use, you are able to load filters from the top and you can put grads in the rotating filter tray for maximum control of your filters.

Just to repeat, the FM-500 wil NOT vignette when using the 72mm adapter alone. It just works better with the set-up I'm using.
 
Re: I bought the Formatt 500 Matt Box

I get it now... the conical adaptor moves the box further out so that you have full access to both slots from the top. Thanks for clearing that up...

For the time being, since I already bought the 72mm adaptor, if I use a circular uv protector under the 72mm adaptor will that bring the box out far enough for the lens door to move freely pass the microphone?
 
Re: I bought the Formatt 500 Matt Box

Putting a filter under the 72mm adapter WILL vignette at full wide. Just use it without a filter and you should be fine.

Hope this helps.
 
Re: I bought the Formatt 500 Matt Box

Thanks Tim for your recommendation about the Formatt ring adaptor 85 mm. I will keep the information for later use.
 
Re: I bought the Formatt 500 Matt Box

Thanks Tim
B&H can order the cavision converter... I'm tracking down the formatt adaptor now..
 
Re: I bought the Formatt 500 Matt Box

Hey Tim,
Question for you... I see that B&H carries the Cavision AR85-72 not the ARP85-72 ... do you know what the 'p' stands for and how it is different?
 
Re: I bought the Formatt 500 Matt Box

I just went through my Cavision price list and I couldn't find a step-down ring model ARP85-72. What I did find was the "AR85-72: Conical ring - Front 85mm OD (82mm thread) Rear 72mm thread". Also in the list were other items beginning with "ARP" (ARP###) that indicate that they are Split Plastic step down rings, so I'm guessing "P" = Plastic.

Tim did say it was a "conical ring", so I'm also guessing that the ARP85-72 doesn't exist and that Tim made a typo.

Jack
 
Re: I bought the Formatt 500 Matt Box

The "AR85-72" conical step-up ring is the correct step-up ring. I was in a hurry and grabbed the first model number I saw from the DVX page on the Cavision website.

astroanalyst, that's the correct adapter on the B&H website.

Hope that helps.
 
Re: I bought the Formatt 500 Matt Box

Yes...

It's a "clamp-on" adapter and the slit allows the adapter to fit snugly around the lens when pressure is applied with the Formatt's thumb screw.

Just place the clamp-on adapter inside the matte box - tighten the thumb screw a bit to keep the adapter from falling out - place the matte box (with clamp-on adapter inside) on the the step-up ring and tighten down with the thumb screw until snug.

Hope this helps.

If you need to contact me just P.M. me!
 
Re: I bought the Formatt 500 Matt Box

Ok great...
thanks for the info..
I'm still waiting on the cavision part so I'll let you know how it works out..
Paul
 
Re: I bought the Formatt 500 Matt Box

I've got one of these too, anyone know if a black pro mist filter will fit in the holder, or do I have to buy a Bogen filter. And if I do have to buy a Bogen filter, what's their equivalent of a black pro mist?

thanks

Dave Findley
 
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