Matte box

[new_dvx_user]

1. Do you guys use a matte box for your short narratives, using the DVX100?

2. Where can I find online instructions on how to use one to get the best footage?

3. Which one should I buy for my AG-DVX100B? (low budget)

4. What filter is good to use with the matte box and DVX?

 

[Alex H.]

I use a mattebox pretty much all the time with my DVX, unless time or space restrict the matte box and rails system.

I don't know of any tutorial on how to use a matte box to improve your footage, because attaching the matte box is pretty much the one and only step, outside of using the filter trays. What the matte box does is provide much better light blocking than the lens shade that came with your camera.

There are a few budget models out there. Some folks use the IndieSnap, though I have heard very mixed reviews. Indifocus.com has a pretty good matte box and rails system. Make sure that at least one of your filter trays rotates. The Indifocus matte box rotates both in tandem, which is a bit of a draw back, but it still holds up pretty well.

As for filters, it takes a few 4"x4" filters to make a basic kit that will help you out.

- Circular Polarizer
- ND .3
- ND .6
- ND .9
- Grad ND, soft-edge, ND .6 and .9

Don't cheap out on filters. Go with Formatt or Schneider. Check filmtools.com for those.

If you're going to add a UV filter, get a lens-mount (screw-on) so that you still have your filter stages for other things.

 

[Diccen]

Is there a particular reason you have 3 ND filters? Are the built in ND's of the dvx not sufficient for your shooting or are the glass ones of such a superior quality that you don't use the built in ND's?

 

[Alex H.]

Is there a particular reason you have 3 ND filters? Are the built in ND's of the dvx not sufficient for your shooting or are the glass ones of such a superior quality that you don't use the built in ND's?

The built-in ND filters don't offer much flexibility. Though they are handy, some times they are too much or not enough, depending on which aperture or shutter speed you're wanting.. Having the glass in three values of ND can be a little more flexible.