Mattebox benefits???

K

Kikosneako

Well-known member
Hi everyone, I've been wondering on the benefits of a matte box, really how drastic is the improvement of the image when you use a matte box and filters? Is there someone kind enough to guide me to a topic or show me some side by side grabs of the awesome power of a matte box, those things are expensive and I was wondering the reason of it being so...sought after I guess.

Thank you.
 
two benefits

1. has flag accesorie, aka block lens flare and create proper shading

2. Hold filters

Really I think the question you are asking is are filters important. A mattebox will not affect the "look" of your image except for blocking lens flare (with flag). Filters can be screwed on as well so technically you could get by with a screw on. There are many types of filters to choose from, go to tiffens web page and you can see before and afters of all different types of filters. If you ask me the price of some these matteboxes is a joke, the mark up has to be like 300%. OH one more benefit


3. It can make a prosumer model cam (HVX) look more professional to your clients.
 
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dlang said:
two benefits

1. has flag accesorie, aka block lens flare and create proper shading

2. Hold filters

Really I think the question you are asking cs more are filters important. A mattebox will not affect the "look" of your image except for blocking lens flare (with flag). Filters can be screwed on as well so technically you could get by with a screw on. There are many types of filters to choose from, go to tiffens web page and you can see before and afters of all different types of filters. If you ask me the price of some these matteboxes is a joke, the mark up has to be like 300%. OH one more benefit


3. It can make a prosumer model cam (HVX) look more professional to your clients.
Click to expand...

And as silly as #3 sounds, it may for many people be the most measurable benefit in terms of bang for the buck...
 
For some of these companies you are paying for the name. $1,450 or more for a mattebox in my opinion is crazy. I thought $450 for my Cavision 4x4 MB was much when i bought it a few years ago. I hardly ever use the flag though. Only in bright sun or when I have lights set up is when I use it. As for the look...you cannot go wrong! The look of the camera that is. It makes it look that much more of a big time camera. Funny thing is that people call it the Lens! They will say WOW look at the lens on that camera! LOL!
 
For almost any type of shooting, a mattebox allows the DP or operator or assistants to very quickly add or subract a certain look without disassembling the camera.

Using two or three filters in a shot isn't uncommon. Light control is critical in most work and French flags and siders are used during static shots and moves to keep any light from contaminating the filters and front lens element.

A mattebox is the most important tool the operator has on the set for producing a quick, repeatable quality image.

e
 
For my humble HV20 I love the Cokin P series (basically a matte box that leaks light) with light blue and dark blue as well as light gray graduated filters. Polarizers are nice but the graduated filters can:
1- block the sky without adding foreground density
2- Create a scene mood in the sky, while keeping foreground gamma and color 'normal'. This is used a lot in film to turn an ordinary looking scene into a gritty medieval battlefield or a parched landscape etc.
The other reason they work better than polarizers (and Cokin makes a polarizer BTW) is that on a clear day, the sky density and polarization effect will change on a long panning shot. Not necessarily a desireable effect.
 
Good stuff :) Hey Paul nice to see you posting on this forum :) Finished my hallowfest entry this weekend no lighting whatsoever :) Just used a flashlight and a key led light hehehehe :) True guerilla filmmaking for ya
 
The matte box (or properly flagged light sources) can prevent the loss of contrast.

I wouldn't shoot anything and put my name on it without at least having filters on hand, even if I did not use them. Knowing how to use filters is most important for outdoor work but has benifits indoors too.
 
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