matte box

C

c.g._eads

Veteran
i don't know why this never sticks. i've read the answer before. but what does a matte box do again? is it essential for me to use one?

p.s. why are they so expensive?
 
A matte box is a device that is used to control lens flare by reducing the admittance angle of light to approximately the angle of view of the lens. A secondary feature of most matte boxes is that the have the ability to carry one or more filters in front of the lens.

This is by no means an "essential" item; however, they are very effective and certainly useful.

As for their costs, they have a fairly large range of prices but can be fairly pricey items.
 
Exactly! It depends on your stylistic goals for what you want to accomplish. For a certain uncoming project that we are not allowed to talk about, I really wanted lens flare, light over saturation, and just an influx of natural light in the lense, so therefore I removed the Matte Box. They are very usefull for filming outside, or actually usefull in general. There are very few times when you will want to have that washed out look, and most of the time, you want to avoid it. In general they are an excellent purchase. Regarding the price range, I would recommend shopping around a little bit. I would certainly call Rush or Randy at EVS and see what they can do for you, but then I would also check into some other channels available out there. I would strongly suggest getting a matte box that can support a filer though, and if you are getting a DVX getting one that will support the anamorphic adapter. These are essential.
 
The cinetactics has a weakness (no rotating filter holder) but its strengths (super-cheap, collapsible, light, takes 2 4x4 filters, allows use of a wide lens) make up for it. :thumbsup: The complete DVXuser kit with all accessories is $245 with free freight:
http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=MB100M

There is also another alternative in the Formatt FM500M, which is a standard plastic box with an adjustable french flag and rotating filter holder for the polarizer. DVXuser price is $340 and you need a $35 ring.
 
Rush, Could you clear somethng up for me, regarding the formatt?

If I am to use a graduated ND filter, and want to change the vertical position the gradient start/stop in the frame, I have got to have some leeway in the filter, right? so it is not a 4x4 filter, but something like a 4x5, right? With the formatt's little annoyance of only fitting the dvx upside down, can I still do it? Do I have space for the filter tomove it up and down the frame?

Thanks!
 
Matte boxes are mostly used to hold filters. I find most folks who own DV cameras really don't use them all that much and seem to think it will make them a better filmmaker. It will not. Please don't take that comment as apt down to anyone here. BUt as one poster hinted, it looks cool. I commend him for his honesty. It does look cool, but if your camera looks more professional people will expect that you too are more professional.

If you had the money to spend, I would forgo the matte box and concentrate on the skills. The cost of a matte box can be used to take a film training course where you'll learn more and even that you don't need a matte box to make good films.

:)
 
If you use the Cinetatics (MB145a) with the anamorphic adapter (LA7200) it is better to use 4" x 5.65" filters along with the compatible holder (MB-FH145) as the 4" x 4" are a little marginal when full wide.

If you are simply adding a mattebox for its aesthetic appeal, I think you are kidding yourself. Lets face it, a DVX (or for that matter nearly any prosumer DV camera) is not going to fool anyone that knows what a highend camera looks like. The results that you can obtain, both the lens flare control and the ability to easily add filtration, should be the underlying reason for the purchase. As stated by 'Walter Graff' it is "skills" that will best serve you. In the end, you can accomplish nearly everthing that a mattebox does with a little bit of creatively applied black foam core and some gaffers tape.
 
khmuse said:
In the end, you can accomplish nearly everthing that a mattebox does with a little bit of creatively applied black foam core and some gaffers tape.
Click to expand...

... Or some black wrap. (which I've used before)

I would recommend the Cavision matte box, works great, looks nice
, and won't break the bank at about $550ish - if you buy from Rush at EVS.
 
I still think you shoot best (regardless of your skill level/experience) with better tools. Paying a grand to learn how to use a mattebox (not sure if that is what one of the above posters had in mind) is not exactly very beneficial to your indie production kit. Keep note that mattebox will not put a spark to your film unless you use it properly so make sure you do practice and learn it when/if you get it.
 
waltind wrote:

"I would recommend the Cavision matte box, works great"

I haven't used the Cavision, but I don't think that it is compatible with the anamorphic adapter (I could be wrong here).
 
khmuse said:
I haven't used the Cavision, but I don't think that it is compatible with the anamorphic adapter (I could be wrong here).
Click to expand...

I believe that you are correct about it not working with the ana, but I haven't used the ana ...
 
hi Taubkin, as far as I know, the filter holder is open-bottom, with no frame, so you should have infinite leeway as far as movement. The top edge shouldn't show up in the frame right away, it should give you a couple mm to work with. IMO the grad ND is the most vital filter after the polarizer, and I have used it on just about every creative outdoor landscape shoot to darken the sky or sky/water. It is the reason I bought the cavision Mattebox :)

I always try to control my image with framing, angles, and lighting, but sometimes the sky is just too bright, there is no reflector big enough to fill shadows, and you just have to use the ND grad. That is why the Hollywood DP's have an arsenal of like 40 filters. Granted video makes color filters obsolete, but ND-type gray filters become essential due to limited latitude, especially with HDV and DV.
Rush.
 
overlandfilms wrote "The Cavision is compatible with the anamorphic adapter."

Interesting. Does the adapter require modification (trimming of its built in sunshade) when used with the Cavision?

Is there a model number or other designation for the specific Cavision mattebox that is compatible with the anamorphic adapter?
 
khmuse said:
overlandfilms wrote "The Cavision is compatible with the anamorphic adapter."

Interesting. Does the adapter require modification (trimming of its built in sunshade) when used with the Cavision?

Is there a model number or other designation for the specific Cavision mattebox that is compatible with the anamorphic adapter?
Click to expand...

These are 4 models Cavison has for the DVX:

http://www.cavision.com/for_panasonic_dv-100.htm

It doesn't say which one is ana-compatible.
 
don't forget that chrosziel makes a matte box that doesn't fit the anamorphic but it does fit the dvx-100 quite nicely and hold up to two 4x4 filters.

on my second dvx-100a i went with the non-anamorphic mattebox.

i have the anamorphic adaptor for my first dvx and the appropriate chrosziel matte box and the follow focus but i find myself more and more using the "smaller/lighter" dvx.

for some stuff the anamorphic adaptor was just a pain in the ass.

that and i've worked lately with a writer/director who really prefers stuff shot in 4:3 and then cropped in post to 16:9

matthew
 
khmuse said:
If you are simply adding a mattebox for its aesthetic appeal, I think you are kidding yourself. Lets face it, a DVX (or for that matter nearly any prosumer DV camera) is not going to fool anyone that knows what a highend camera looks like.
Click to expand...

Most people don't know what high end cameras look like. I think it does help when you're just starting out IF YOU HAVE THE EXTRA DOUGH. Sure there are a million things you can buy instead that would do you more good, but as far as impressing people, I think it works great. Also attracts more serious actors if they think you got a serious rig. Ever tried to cast w/ a $400 handycam? It's just harder to get good talent interested. Plus, if you can't get girls like me, it makes you look important!
 
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