I bought the Formatt 500 Matt Box

Re: I bought the Formatt 500 Matt Box

For starters, it's "Formatt", not "Bogen".

They have Black Supermist in 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 density strengths. They also have Warm Black Supermist, Clear Supermist and Warm Clear Supermist in the same densities.
 
Re: I bought the Formatt 500 Matt Box

I received mine too a few days ago, it work perfectly, well built. I can even put a screw polarized filter in front and no vignetting visible in letter box.
 
Re: I bought the Formatt 500 Matt Box

I just recieved my cavision adaptor from B&H ... its been weeks..
I finally assemblied the Formatte box with the cavision adaptor and formatte clamp type ring and I find that when I tighten down it begins to bind the focus wheel...

As a matter of fact if you take the matte box off and just use your thumb and forefinger on the cavision ring and squeeze it a little You will notice that the focus wheel begins to bind.


Has anyone else experience this problem?
I'm ready to go back to the old adaptor and load my filters in from the bottom...

Help!
 
Re: I bought the Formatt 500 Matt Box

What's so hard about loading filters from the bottom?

Plus, does anyone know if the Tiffen 4 x 4 filters fit in the fm 500?
 
Re: I bought the Formatt 500 Matt Box

Has anyone done test comparisons with the Formatt filters vs the Tiffen? The price difference is quite substantial.
 
Re: I bought the Formatt 500 Matt Box

The problem is not about loading them from the bottom ...the problem is that you can't close the formatte filter lid AND rotate the filter. The box has to be mounted with the lid in the open position.
 
Re: I bought the Formatt 500 Matt Box

astroanalyst what do you mean when you say "the focus ring binds?" Are you saying that with the Cavision step up ring in place you are unable to freely move the focus ring?
 
Re: I bought the Formatt 500 Matt Box

I'm still not exactly sure what you mean (though I did check it out at the store). Well its on its way from B&H so I guess I'll find out soon enough. I just got the 72 mm adaptor....
 
Re: I bought the Formatt 500 Matt Box

I think I get it.

You can have it closed, but when attached closed, it can't rotate? The little clip above will hit the onboard mic?

Have you heard of a sawed off shotgun? Wonder if I could cut the mic off, I don't need it ;D.

Does it still take that long to get the CAVISION conical piece?
 
Re: I bought the Formatt 500 Matt Box

Hey Tim,
In answer to your question yes... when I tighten down on the compression ring it in turn grabs the cavision adaptor and ever so slightly warps it out of round... This adaptor is somehow connected though the camera to the focus ring. The more you tighten down on the cavision ring the tougher it gets to move the focus ring.

If there were no formatte box and just a cavision ring the same thing happens if you were to squeeze the ring with your fingers. It is the warping of the adaptor which binds up the focus ring.
 
Re: I bought the Formatt 500 Matt Box

Hi enterdcable,
Yes when the lid is closed at the top you can't fully rotate the filter... you can get a little rotation out of it but not that much..

The cavision took more than three weeks to get in..
plus you have to order the formatt ring from england..
 
Re: I bought the Formatt 500 Matt Box

Hey astroanalyst,

You don't-by chance-have a plastic step up ring do you? The one I'm using is metal, and I have not experienced the problem you're having.
 
Re: I bought the Formatt 500 Matt Box

I'm using the metal cavision AR85-72S.
Putting any type of squeeze on this ring whether from your fingers or from the formatte clamp type ring puts a drag on the focus ring. If I tighten the clamp ring to a point where the box is secure enough the focus ring feels like your dragging it through mud.

I'm surprised that you are not experiencing this.. (Lets trade cameras :)

I had to go back to the 72mm adaptor and live with not so easy filter access... I'm curious to see if anyone else experiences this problem..

Thanks for taking the time to check it out on your camera.
 
Re: I bought the Formatt 500 Matt Box

astroanalyst can yoy show some pics with your problem? I have a Formatt mattebox and I want to buy the cavisión adaptor + formatt ring.
thanks
 
Re: I bought the Formatt 500 Matt Box

Hmm... I don't think a photo will show anything...so I'll explain what problem I am experiencing...

the formatte ring from england is a 'squeeze' type ring.. when I tighten down the box on to the ring it squeezes the ring to hold on to the cavision adaptor.

What I believe is happening is the squeezing ever so slightly takes the lens assembly out of round. That in turn puts a drag on the focus ring...

Since no one else has this problem it could very well be unique to my camera. I think a simple test for your camera would be to hold the camera under your arm and put your thumb and forefinger on the focus ring (like your shooting from underneath your arm)...
then with the other hand squeeze the outer part of the lens assembly with your thumb and forefinger...

While doing this move the focus ring back and forth.. if you find no drag then your camera is ok to mount the cavision and formatte adaptors...

I'm also experimenting with putting one 72mm filter on before I mount the box... This pushes the box out far enough so you can put the 4x4's in from the top but not far enough to clear the door from hitting the microphone. The worry is possible vignetting ... I haven't seen any yet but I don't have an underscan monitor either... I need to experiment more..


The other solution is to put the 4x4 filters in from the bottom.. the only problem with this is that you can't fully rotate the rotating slot...

For the price I still think the box works fine.. None of the setbacks are really a hassle to deal with..

2filter.com has the box for a good price... talk to john.. tell him paul scaturro sent you!
 
Re: I bought the Formatt 500 Matt Box

Hi,

I'm not sure if I buy the Formatt or the Cavision mattebox, any suggestion ?

Thanks,
Ulisses
 
Re: I bought the Formatt 500 Matt Box

Does anyone know where to get the best price on some basic 4x4" filters for the Formatt Matte Box? ???
 
Re: I bought the Formatt 500 Matt Box

Cavisions has a 5 filters kit (glass 4x4) for US$ 200,00
Myst, Pola, Grad ND, Grad Blue, Grad Orange

Ulisses
 
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