Ideal Mattebox for GH1?

A

Andreus

Well-known member
Has anyone found the ideal mattebox for the GH1?

- Small, Portable, lightweight
- Fits on 15mm rails OR onto lens
- Takes 4 x 4, 3x3, or Cokin filters (with adapters)
- Rotating stages
- Has side flags, swing away

The GH1 is such a versatile camera... It can be used with 15lbs+ $15,000 cine glass, or with tiny 5cm long 8 oz C-mount lenses... If only there were a mattebox so versatile that you could use it with your GH1 regardless of what lens you had on it!

I shoot mainly with C Mount primes, so I am looking primarily for something that fits that footprint. And the kit lens -- probably about the biggest piece of glass (diameter wise) I'll stick on it. Simple lens hoods don't cut it for me-- I need a rotating stage for a polarizer, and room for at least 1 more filter (ND, BPM, etc.)

Has anyone else found what I'm looking for?
 
^+1. Martti has shared info/photos of his rig many times here, and still find it to be my favorite. Plus, he's a solid dude :-)
 
I am considering the Cinetactics Matteblox DV. Any opinions on it from anyone, especialy using it with the kit lens or cmount primes?
 
Even though I still haven't used it, I own a Matteblox DV. All I can say for now is that it is made from very good quality materials, it feels very solid and folds up really easy. I also own the filter holders that you velcro inside the hood. I'll let you know my thoughts once I use it with some of the lenses.
 
Problem with a mattebox on a DSLR is that if you try to get one that mounts on rails, it can be a royal pain depending on how your lenses work. Like the GH1's 14-140 zoom -- that would be nigh unto impossible to use with a rails-mounted mattebox, because the front of the lens extends so far during zooming. Or certain still lenses, like the Zeiss ZF series, extend out a massive distance when focusing from closest to furthest point.

A clip-on type is probably a better idea.
 
Barry_Green said:
Problem with a mattebox on a DSLR is that if you try to get one that mounts on rails, it can be a royal pain depending on how your lenses work. Like the GH1's 14-140 zoom -- that would be nigh unto impossible to use with a rails-mounted mattebox, because the front of the lens extends so far during zooming. Or certain still lenses, like the Zeiss ZF series, extend out a massive distance when focusing from closest to furthest point.

A clip-on type is probably a better idea.
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Totally true.

I usually use my rail mounted mattebox with primes or an "already zoomed in" zoom lens. In other words, I frame my shot and then tighten down the mattebox. Otherwise you can end up trying to zoom through your ND filters :)

The problem with some lenses and clip on type matteboxes is how the lens rotates during either zooming or focusing. Without a follow focus or rails, not a huge deal. With rails, you might be banging your box on the rails whenever you try to zoom or focus.

Matteboxes on DSLRs are tricky beasts and your needs may quickly change with a different lens. I'm not aware of a perfect "one size fits all" solution given the huge variety of lenses available for DSLRs.

I have had some good luck using a homemade version of this: http://store.zacuto.com/universal-donut.html

It lets me change out my lenses and use most of them without having to switch out any foam donuts.
 
Do you really heavily rely on the mattebox or it's just for the 'look at my mattebox, I'm a filmmaker now' effect?
Because the only thing that I didn't rent for a 7D package I'm using now was a mattebox and it didn't hindered me once.

I guess if we're using small DSLRs now we should go for lighter more compact equipment.
I'm surprised we haven't seen something like a clamp-on Sony lens hood (imagine a V1/EX1 lens hood) with compact filter holders made out of sturdy plastic.

A clunky mattebox that only gives you two stages, for let's say a pola and an ND is waste IMO. Screw-on would've done the job.

- http://www.bhphotovideo.com/wl/249238BB0F - Cokin gives 4 stages and it's pretty compact, lack of french flags can be a pain if you run into flares much.

- http://www.bhphotovideo.com/wl/2E0ABADF15 - I was researching a nice 3x3 mattebox and filter set but for the moment the price is just too much.
 
I would agree, if not for the number of VERY different lenses I like to use. Buying screw on NDs for four or five different lens diameters (currently) would get old real quick. My mattebox and rails work with all of them and I only need one set of filters.
 
I'm looking for a mattebox now too. I was doing some scouting for an upcoming shoot and the area is an enclosed courtyard with a good amount of light coming in from overhead. I kept getting blowout on the top edges of my frames and had to keep shading the lens with my hand.

I just wonder why matteboxes are so expensive for what they are.
 
majikfraug said:
I would agree, if not for the number of VERY different lenses I like to use. Buying screw on NDs for four or five different lens diameters (currently) would get old real quick. My mattebox and rails work with all of them and I only need one set of filters.
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You buy for the largest filter size. And screw adapters on the smaller ones.

But you already have the mattebox, so... :)

Svart said:
I'm looking for a mattebox now too. I was doing some scouting for an upcoming shoot and the area is an enclosed courtyard with a good amount of light coming in from overhead. I kept getting blowout on the top edges of my frames and had to keep shading the lens with my hand.

I just wonder why matteboxes are so expensive for what they are.
Click to expand...

I used to wonder the same with Follow Focus units...

But then I realized that usability, durability and a good design don't get together for cheap.
 
I'm a newb, so take this with a grain of salt....

My Indian made Cinewhatever/DVwhatever/ActiveIndustries works great, but I bet is too delicate for heavy or pro use. I think they offer a nicer one and they are actually a good group to deal with.

The french flag is fine, but the side flags are thin and the mount is easily corrupted. Due to the plastic construction the whole thing can wobble a bit. Despite those complaints it's still an incridible value.
 
I have the indiSystems Matte box and I love it... it's got the swing away feature as well which comes in super handy as well. two rotating stages. Great buy for the price.
 
Does the Indisystems Mattebox come with [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]foam rubber lens rings to acoomodate different lens sizes or do these have to be purchased seperate? Also, how is the build quality? Have you had any issues using it on the GH1 and are you using indisystem rails with it?

Thanks for the info!!!
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Yeah it comes with all sizes of foam donuts and i do use it with a whole indisystem setup. I have to say I am always really really impressed by the gear they produce for the price. The matte box is solidly built, don't seem cheap or flimsy. The follow focus is big and robust (pro version) and the snap gears are super easy to use and every production I bring them on everyone loves them and is wowed by them, haha. The rails are great and sturdy, the handles are very versatile and customizable and the shoulder pad with the offset it great. I love the setup. My only complain is that its usually bolts that push down on the bars, not surround is an squeeze evenly. Thats only for the other components though, like handle bars parts, the stuff that mounts to the carbon rails is the full surround squeeze type.
 
seanmcleod said:
Yeah it comes with all sizes of foam donuts and i do use it with a whole indisystem setup. I have to say I am always really really impressed by the gear they produce for the price. The matte box is solidly built, don't seem cheap or flimsy. The follow focus is big and robust (pro version) and the snap gears are super easy to use and every production I bring them on everyone loves them and is wowed by them, haha. The rails are great and sturdy, the handles are very versatile and customizable and the shoulder pad with the offset it great. I love the setup. My only complain is that its usually bolts that push down on the bars, not surround is an squeeze evenly. Thats only for the other components though, like handle bars parts, the stuff that mounts to the carbon rails is the full surround squeeze type.
Click to expand...

I love their snap gears :)
 
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