Mattbox for interviews?

R

ReneH

Well-known member
Hello all!

Would a mattbox be necessary for interview type shootings? Perhaps more so for outdoor shooting vs indoor? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
 
ReneH it depends on the look you want. A mattbox is just a tool to hold filters,Gels, and lets you use a sun shade or french flags. Now if you are going to use a color filter or gel, or going to have lights close to the camera you might think about it. Maybe using some grad filters or polorizer. It all depends what you are looking for. But necassary no. It is not necassary to use a mattbox for anything. Now if you have one already fitted and on your camera go ahead it wont hert the shot.
 
Matte boxes are nice to have, but a little overkill for most things. I have a matte box and a couple of french flags, pair of side wings, and ten filters that cost as much as a new camera.. And, I don't use any of them that often. Maybe the flag/side wings are nice to control flare but otherwise this is an "icing on the cake" type purchase. Figure spending around $1300 - $1500 for any matte box and the apparatus to attach to the camera, no filters included. Unless you have a reason for having one, then I wouldn't bother. If you're still interested, I'll suggest the Century/Vocas MKII Wide model as it's my favourite. :thumbsup:
 
Thanks for the quick response, as always they are greatly appreciated. I guess I'll forego the mattbox option for now and channel my funds for other needs.
 
I disagree.
You should never shoot an interview without a mattbox, Mini35 adapter, follow-focus, jib arm, dolly track.
If you don't have all these "accessories" your video will look like crap.
 
You guys are technically right, however there is a mental effect to your talent if your camera "looks" like a real camera, they will take you more seriously and you may get a more serious interview... A mattebox really does help with flares and such though, mostly when using with a french flag, because if you do a proper setup with lights your back or hair light can spill onto the lens fairly easy.
 
Well and one of the most used filters (at least by me) is an ND filter.. especially an ND gradient filter.. sooo usable if you've got some sky in the top of your pic that normally would just blow out :)
 
Went ahead and bought a mattbox, as I think it will create a more "professional factor" in my interviews. I'm thinking ahead and maybe I'll venture into shooting a feature or so.
 
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