dakotapod
Veteran
Here is some more photos and details. Hopping to ship first small batch in a week. There will be an announcement when good to go.
Standard matte box comes with box, adapter ring and French flag. Side flags are optional
Super light weight but durable aluminum that does not require a support system. Comes with a removable French flag. Has the ability to hold 84mm filters [or P Series] Filters from Cokin, Tiffen, Hitech & Singh-Ray and others. I chose this filter size as it provides a huge range of filter options from $30 on the low end up to $180 on the high end. And tons in between. This gives the user the option to experiment with using filters without the burden of laying out a ton of cash
Optional side blinders
These side flags can be added for $20 for the pair. They can be purchased at anytime for the same price. Only shipping will have to apply if purchased after initial matte box order.
http://www.indiesnap.com/full-tilt.jpg
Entire box can still be rotated fully loaded
Installation
System mounts to front of stock lens. Aluminum adapter screws to filter threads and then matte box is snapped on. Installed and removed in seconds.
Removable flag(s)
French flag is quickly installed and removed with two knobs
Filter holder
Holds 3 - 2mm filters [84mm x 84mm, 84mm x 100mm, 84mm x 120mm, etc]
Shown here with two filters
With the nasty mic location on the DVX filters need to be loaded from the bottom or box can be tilted to slide filters in
An example of the range of 84mm filters @ BH Photo -
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=search&ci=4032&Q=&O=NavBar
Rotating shade
To keep the weight and cost down the filters themselves can't rotate, but the entire mattebox can be rotated for rotating grads if desired.
Thumb screws are located on each side of holder - Attaches to adapter, not the camera.
No Crazy glue here! Box is bolted and screwed together.
Compatibility:
72 and 58mm is stock.
This 72mm system will work with the DVX series and XL series. This setup is shown on the DVX but can be used on any camera with a lens under 72mm with an adapter [an extra $15] Depending on your lens size there could be a slight delay in shipment. Sony VX2000/2100, PD150/170 use 58mm – This is the same price as the 72mm. No additional charge for adapter
Please check your cameras specs and confirm availability before ordering. When ordering you must specify size or 72mm will be sent. If you use a non 72mm camera now and upgrade to the DVX or XL2 in the future all you will need is a new adapter ring. The matte box is the same. If you have two cameras with different thread sizes you can just get one additional ring for the extra camera.
Optional rings
On top of 72 and 58mm there is 49,52,55,62 & 67 available.
Please be aware that on some cameras filter size given in specs may be smaller then lens thread size. For example I have an old AG-EZ1 and it has a 49mm filter size built into the removable lens hood. The actual thread size when hood removed is 58mm. If your camera has a removable lens hood make sure you know the thread size. It is far better to mount box on lens, not hood.
Q & A – Some common questions.
Vignetting? – None. When used with full 84mm filters,[3 ¼”]
Can it be used with a Wide lens? No
Can it be used with 35 adapters? Maybe… There are so many various adapters and lenses available it’s impossible to say yes or no. you will have to determine that yourself. The lens will need to have front threads and you will need to know that thread size.
Can it be used with rails? Again, maybe… The matte box will need to clear rails for rotating, so if they extend beyond front of matte box you may have problems. Again, you will have to determine that yourself. This system does not require a rail system so if a follow focus is added with rails it may not rotate. If the rail system for the follow focus clears the bottom of the shade you should be ok, but system has not been tested with any rail system.
Isn’t there pressure on lens? Next to none. Even with all the flags attached, this unit is insanely light. Less then a telephoto lens for sure.
What about image quality? The quality is dictated by filter. Granted if you use a $150 filter you will achieve the greatest results. Arguably, a very clean image can still be achieved with a less expensive filter.
The fine print - Return policy
Very simple return policy: You don't like it and are not happy - Return item for full refund. That’s it!
* Immediately and unused please, I'm not running a loaner outfit.
** Please be advised that retuning matte box will cause a great deal of hurt feelings and I may need years of therapy to get over it!
What it IS & who it IS for…
I'm calling this an entry level unit as it's a “low frills” unit. But Very Usable. This is to put it bluntly, an aluminum sunshade with the ability to use 84mm filters. This is for the budget minded user who wants a cool looking matte box without throwing down $600 or more. System is very light but durable. You can use this setup daily and have no problems. This is not considered the best filter size on the market but it has far more options to the user then 4x4 or 100mm x 100mm filters. Still larger then 3x3 filters. 4x4 filters are in the $100 plus area. 84mm filters run around $30 up. And most importantly… Let’s face it…. A Matte Box looks sexy! That is a major reason for wanting one. Many will not admit this, but it’s true…. This is far superior to making one out of rubber or cardboard!
What it is NOT & who it's NOT for…
This not going to be aChrosziel system! This will not be a $600 - $1500 matte box. If you expect this to match a matte box worth $1000 for $189, don’t.
The hard core gear head who wants the absolute best will not dig this basic system.
I will keep you posted on availability…. :thumbsup:
Standard matte box comes with box, adapter ring and French flag. Side flags are optional
Super light weight but durable aluminum that does not require a support system. Comes with a removable French flag. Has the ability to hold 84mm filters [or P Series] Filters from Cokin, Tiffen, Hitech & Singh-Ray and others. I chose this filter size as it provides a huge range of filter options from $30 on the low end up to $180 on the high end. And tons in between. This gives the user the option to experiment with using filters without the burden of laying out a ton of cash
Optional side blinders
These side flags can be added for $20 for the pair. They can be purchased at anytime for the same price. Only shipping will have to apply if purchased after initial matte box order.
Entire box can still be rotated fully loaded
Installation
System mounts to front of stock lens. Aluminum adapter screws to filter threads and then matte box is snapped on. Installed and removed in seconds.
Removable flag(s)
French flag is quickly installed and removed with two knobs
Filter holder
Holds 3 - 2mm filters [84mm x 84mm, 84mm x 100mm, 84mm x 120mm, etc]
Shown here with two filters
With the nasty mic location on the DVX filters need to be loaded from the bottom or box can be tilted to slide filters in
An example of the range of 84mm filters @ BH Photo -
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=search&ci=4032&Q=&O=NavBar
Rotating shade
To keep the weight and cost down the filters themselves can't rotate, but the entire mattebox can be rotated for rotating grads if desired.
Thumb screws are located on each side of holder - Attaches to adapter, not the camera.
No Crazy glue here! Box is bolted and screwed together.
Compatibility:
72 and 58mm is stock.
This 72mm system will work with the DVX series and XL series. This setup is shown on the DVX but can be used on any camera with a lens under 72mm with an adapter [an extra $15] Depending on your lens size there could be a slight delay in shipment. Sony VX2000/2100, PD150/170 use 58mm – This is the same price as the 72mm. No additional charge for adapter
Please check your cameras specs and confirm availability before ordering. When ordering you must specify size or 72mm will be sent. If you use a non 72mm camera now and upgrade to the DVX or XL2 in the future all you will need is a new adapter ring. The matte box is the same. If you have two cameras with different thread sizes you can just get one additional ring for the extra camera.
Optional rings
On top of 72 and 58mm there is 49,52,55,62 & 67 available.
Please be aware that on some cameras filter size given in specs may be smaller then lens thread size. For example I have an old AG-EZ1 and it has a 49mm filter size built into the removable lens hood. The actual thread size when hood removed is 58mm. If your camera has a removable lens hood make sure you know the thread size. It is far better to mount box on lens, not hood.
Q & A – Some common questions.
Vignetting? – None. When used with full 84mm filters,[3 ¼”]
Can it be used with a Wide lens? No
Can it be used with 35 adapters? Maybe… There are so many various adapters and lenses available it’s impossible to say yes or no. you will have to determine that yourself. The lens will need to have front threads and you will need to know that thread size.
Can it be used with rails? Again, maybe… The matte box will need to clear rails for rotating, so if they extend beyond front of matte box you may have problems. Again, you will have to determine that yourself. This system does not require a rail system so if a follow focus is added with rails it may not rotate. If the rail system for the follow focus clears the bottom of the shade you should be ok, but system has not been tested with any rail system.
Isn’t there pressure on lens? Next to none. Even with all the flags attached, this unit is insanely light. Less then a telephoto lens for sure.
What about image quality? The quality is dictated by filter. Granted if you use a $150 filter you will achieve the greatest results. Arguably, a very clean image can still be achieved with a less expensive filter.
The fine print - Return policy
Very simple return policy: You don't like it and are not happy - Return item for full refund. That’s it!
* Immediately and unused please, I'm not running a loaner outfit.
** Please be advised that retuning matte box will cause a great deal of hurt feelings and I may need years of therapy to get over it!
What it IS & who it IS for…
I'm calling this an entry level unit as it's a “low frills” unit. But Very Usable. This is to put it bluntly, an aluminum sunshade with the ability to use 84mm filters. This is for the budget minded user who wants a cool looking matte box without throwing down $600 or more. System is very light but durable. You can use this setup daily and have no problems. This is not considered the best filter size on the market but it has far more options to the user then 4x4 or 100mm x 100mm filters. Still larger then 3x3 filters. 4x4 filters are in the $100 plus area. 84mm filters run around $30 up. And most importantly… Let’s face it…. A Matte Box looks sexy! That is a major reason for wanting one. Many will not admit this, but it’s true…. This is far superior to making one out of rubber or cardboard!
What it is NOT & who it's NOT for…
This not going to be aChrosziel system! This will not be a $600 - $1500 matte box. If you expect this to match a matte box worth $1000 for $189, don’t.
The hard core gear head who wants the absolute best will not dig this basic system.
I will keep you posted on availability…. :thumbsup:
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