Matte box, french flag ?

Cipa

Cipa

Active member
I was wondering...what is the exact purpose of the matte box? :), sorry if that`s a dumb question, but I really don`t know! Is it the light control? And what is a french flag, that also comes with matte box?
I just checked out the cinetactics website, I mean isn`t it possible to make it at home yourself, we all saw Bluespider`s solution :D
Anyway, thanks!
 
Re: Matte box, french flag ?

The Mattebox is used for a variety of purposes;

Blocking as much light as possible from the lens (Look towards the sunset and use you hand to block the light and you'll notice alot of glare dissapear).

French Flags are used to further this.

MB's can also hold filters (ND, Grad, Polar, Smoke, Soft, etc etc)

MB's make your camera Smokin hot.

They also used to use them for doing 'Matte Shots' by blocking half of the frame from being exposed by light, cranking the film back and then blocking the other half and shooting something else (or compositing a matte painting or effects in post)

I dont think they still do this (CG)
 
Re: Matte box, french flag ?

Nice! Thanks John, now I get it ;), cameras do look Smokin HOT, with all the stuff on I guess, makes u look like real PRO ;D
Cheers

P.S. But making them yourself is not a good idea or what?
 
Re: Matte box, french flag ?

I'd say the money you'd save in making your own mattebox, you'd have lost in the time it took you to make one that was top knotch. People have done it, and if I were a master of metal working I would too - but it's so much easier to just fork out the dough :P
 
Re: Matte box, french flag ?

Right, guess so :), but what about those soft matteboxes are they any good?
 
Re: Matte box, french flag ?

You might take a look at the Formatt mattebox, which I believe screws and/or clamps on. No rod supports, but it's only around $300. I think it and the Cavision have one fixed stage for holding a filter and another that rotates.

The Cavision is what I'm getting because I can get a shoulder support, two grips and a support rod system for under $1000.

Neither of these is anywhere as nice as the Chroziel (spelling), but they will do the trick for the budget-minded.

Happy shopping,

PS-Eve the cheaper ones make your camera look "smokin hot" ;D ...and besides chicks dig 'em.

Jason
 
Re: Matte box, french flag ?

Hey Jason! Thanks, a great info, but can this Formatt matte box really be used on the DVX100AE?
Anybody knows something about TecPro MB? They`re kinda cheap too, for more info check out creativevideo.co.uk !
Cheers
 
Re: Matte box, french flag ?

I think that the Formatt has adapter rings that you buy to screw it on to the lens. Is the DVX 72mm?
 
Re: Matte box, french flag ?

About three weeks ago there was a thread that showed how to make a matt box out of paper. It had three files that you could download and print with details on how to construct it. I've searched and cannot find it. Any one have those links still?? Thanks.
 
Re: Matte box, french flag ?

Heya:

I'm a fan of the Cinetactics Matteblox. About the only complaint I have is that you have to watch the hood/french flag for midline droop or it'll vignette into the shot.

Beyond that, good stuff!
 
Re: Matte box, french flag ?

[quote author=Bischofftep link=board=Links;num=1103253128;start=0#13 date=12/22/04 at 08:58:15]Heya:

I'm a fan of the Cinetactics Matteblox. About the only complaint I have is that you have to watch the hood/french flag for midline droop or it'll vignette into the shot.

Beyond that, good stuff!
[/quote]

I have to second that-- make sure that you fit it tightly over the 72mm adapter, or you'll see the end of the flag in the side of the frame.
Otherwise, they can't be beat for the price, especially with the oversized flags!
However, a question for anyone that owns one-- I don't yet have any 4x4 filters or the filter adapters, but I'm looking into them. How the heck do they fit into the mattebox?

David.
 
Re: Matte box, french flag ?

[quote author=david_kuznicki link=board=Links;num=1103253128;start=0#14 date=12/22/04 at 12:45:13]

 
However, a question for anyone that owns one-- I don't yet have any 4x4 filters or the filter adapters, but I'm looking into them.  How the heck do they fit into the mattebox?

David.[/quote]

They fit using the filter holders

http://cinetactics.com/mb-fh.php
 
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