Matte Box options

[IndecisiveElle]

I have been happily building up my GH1 rig and gear for the last several months. Now I'm starting to looking to matte boxes because I do plan on getting an anamorphic adapter in the long run as well. But other than knowing the basics of the purpose and how to use a matte box, I'm not sure where to start my search. Any tips would help. Thanks.

 

[brunerww]

Hi Elle -- if all you need is a lens shade, here's my GH2 with a $50 100mm Cavision wide angle square lens hood:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/45061726@N00/5439368387/

Not a real matte box (no filter slots), but it's inexpensive and actually serves a useful purpose. Needed $8 62-77mm and $20 77-100mm adapter rings to make it work with the 14-140 Panasonic lens.

$10 Cavision soft lens cover here.

The bracket in the picture is a $12 Adorama "C" bracket with a couple of extra cold shoes for LEDs, recorders or whatever.

Real matte boxes are somewhat more expensive, but they allow you to control light a little better than a lens shade, and usually have slots for filters and gels. For one that will work with an anamorphic lens, you'll need a 16:9 widescreen matte box. The least expensive I've seen are made in India and sold on eBay. You might have a problem returning it if it doesn't work, though.

Might be better to get something like the Formatt FM-600 for $325 at Adorama or Amazon. Small enough not to need a rail system.

Hope this is helpful!

 

[Jonathan12uiz]

Get a corkin P lens filter tray and a corkin p lens hood, the hoods are stackable too. Just get a 77mm and rig it up to a rod support and you sir are good to go. With this setup it will be cheap and you will be able to use filters.