Matte Box Filter Question

4

45thronin

Member
Ok,

I am going with the microMatteBox Deluxe with swing arm. My question are the filters. These suckers are expensive. Just the microFilter IR Filter is $450. I know this may sound naive', but do I need these? It makes sense to have them in the sense that you never really know how your outdoor light will be, but you tell me? The people that have done a lot of outdoor shoots, do you feel the filters would help? Is it worth the money?

Thanks!
 
Filters are very handy... but some much more than others. Many of the specialized effects with odd colors and mists can be achieved in post nowadays using programs like Magic Bullet. But there are a few essentials that will make your life easier.

- Circular Polarizer
- UV filter
- ND (when in-camera isn't enough or isn't practical); .3, .6, and .9.
- Gradient ND, soft-edge; at least .6 and .9

That's about what you need. You can spend $500 on their IR filter, or you can get a basic UV filter, even a screw-on for your lens for much less.

Go to filmtools.com and look at the Schnieder and Formatt filters. They're much less expensive, and just as effective.
 
That sounds awesome, thanks C2V! I have a very limited budget with this short that I'm doing this year, and am chomping at the bit with where i can cut costs. I know filters are important, but some are just ridiculous in price.

You seriously think the screw-on UV filter would be enough? I mean don't get me wrong, I'd must rather spend the $40 for the screw-on, then the $500 for their IR UV filter. I'm just curious if theirs would do something the screw on wouldn't. Just curious.

Thanks again C2V, can't thank you enough for the advice.
 
Don't cheap out on filters, even for screw-on UV. You may need to spend closer to $100 to get a reliable UV. Remember that you are buying glass through which your camera needs to be able to see without destroying the image.

As far as UV vs. IR, they both do essentially the same thing, but with different areas of the spectrum. I wouldn't worry as much about IR as I would UV.
 
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