Mattebox and supports for Panasonic HPX300

Mat Cain

Mat Cain

Member
I am looking for a recommended Matte box along with support for the stock lens. I would prefer a 2-stage box with all the flags and doors. I have no support arms and will need to get those as well. Naturally, I am looking for good quality at a low price (imagine that...) and was hoping that some of you in this forum had experience with some good matte boxes.

Thanks,
Mat Cain
 
I'm using the Zephyr 300 rail-support from Zacuto:

http://store.zacuto.com/Zephyr300.html

and the Petro 4x4

http://store.zacuto.com/4x4-wide-2-stage-petroff-matte-box-kit.html

I like their flex "universal" donut too..

One word of caution on the Zephyr 300 .. you have to take the mount off of the HPX300 and
place it over the Zephyr .. and the screws on the 300 are torqued in really tight ..

If you wanna go low-cost, check out http://thecinecity.com/tcc/home.php?cat=270

Their quality is pretty good (not as good as the Petro though . but good). They're
based out of India, so factor in a hefty shipping fee to North America.


jeff
 
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Yes be careful with those plate screws I broke on of mine trying to get it off and they are as soft as butter. Here is a shot of my 301 with the cavision fitted:
IMG_1974.jpg

JGN_1556.jpg
 
I use Zephyr 300 rail-support from Zacuto, Redrock microMattebox and Filters. It has worked out nicely for me.
 
I've got a Panasonic camera case for my 300 - I'm guessing with the support arms and mattebox there is no quick solution for removing everything and putting the camera in the case - not without unscrewing the plate from the bottom? Or can you leave the plate and simply remove the rails and box while leaving the small plate on the bottom. We also use a teleprompter from time to time and would need to remove the mattebox and support... In other words you don't have to unscrew the "v-wedge" when you want to take the rails and gear off now and then...

Thanks -
Mat
 
Our HPX300 rails and matte box ride in the Portabrace bag completely built. A Hytron 140 might put it over the edge, but it fits with a Dionic 90 fitted.

e
 
I have the portabrace case too and normally remove the rails, follow focus and matte box for longer travel. I leave the bottom plate on as it is permamently fitted and it is a one min job to mount the matte box and rails.

I am using v-lok batteries so I think my camera is longer and I have the cavision grips fitted too so it make sense to take the matte box and rails off for traveling.

It also means if I am doing a quick job I just leave the funjinon lens shade fitted.
 
Thanks Gary and everyone who commented on this thread. You all have been very helpful.

Thanks,
Mat Cain
 
Gary - is that a cavision follow focus as well - if so are you happy with that - and is it on the stock fujinon lens?
 
NO its a JBK CINEQUIPT follow focus that I got on e-bay for $230 I hardly ever use one so wanted a really budget unit!
Its rough and ready and I have modified it but it does the job fine with the stock lens.

www.JBKCINEQUIPT.com
 
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Mat Cain said:
I've got a Panasonic camera case for my 300 - I'm guessing with the support arms and mattebox there is no quick solution for removing everything and putting the camera in the case - not without unscrewing the plate from the bottom? Or can you leave the plate and simply remove the rails and box while leaving the small plate on the bottom. We also use a teleprompter from time to time and would need to remove the mattebox and support... In other words you don't have to unscrew the "v-wedge" when you want to take the rails and gear off now and then...

Thanks -
Mat
Click to expand...

Not to sound like a Zacuto ad .. but I got their ENG foam insert for the
Storm case ... and the camera fits with the Zephyr on.

jeff
 
jmarkham said:
I'm using the Zephyr 300 rail-support from Zacuto:

http://store.zacuto.com/Zephyr300.html

and the Petro 4x4

http://store.zacuto.com/4x4-wide-2-stage-petroff-matte-box-kit.html

I like their flex "universal" donut too..

One word of caution on the Zephyr 300 .. you have to take the mount off of the HPX300 and
place it over the Zephyr .. and the screws on the 300 are torqued in really tight ..

If you wanna go low-cost, check out http://thecinecity.com/tcc/home.php?cat=270

Their quality is pretty good (not as good as the Petro though . but good). They're
based out of India, so factor in a hefty shipping fee to North America.


jeff
Click to expand...

You're not kidding about the screws being torqued!!! I gave up using a screwdriver to get them out. How did you get them out without stripping them??
 
Hi Gary,

Question about your follow focus experiences. In a shot I made where I pulled focus I saw a vibration in the footage (the image was already zoomed in half way) caused by putting just a little too much strain on the lens when changing the focus by turning the focus ring by hand. Will this problem be eliminated when attaching a follow focus to my standard HPX300 lens or do you even with a follow focus have to change focus carefully (or is it less sensitive) ????

cheers
Cees

GaryNattrass said:
Yes be careful with those plate screws I broke on of mine trying to get it off and they are as soft as butter. Here is a shot of my 301 with the cavision fitted:
IMG_1974.jpg

JGN_1556.jpg
Click to expand...
 
Hi the follow focus I have is Ok and with a 12 inch whip on or by using the wheel it is possible to get smooth focus without any vibration.

I have done a couple of indie features where will pulled focus quite a bit and it was good as you can also mark you focus points, you do have to take up the slack on the follow focus first though as there is a slight looseness on the gearing but that may be just down to my unit being a very low cost design.

I also find that it is easier to hand hold the camera and use the focus wheel rather than the lens ring, I also have grips fitted now so handheld shooting is very easy and comfortable for my back.
 
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