Mattebox for EX3 - Using it to steady camera

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EIREHotspur

Well-known member
Just been watching the Season 4 Extras of LOST and the cameramen are to be seen holding their camera by the Matteboxes to give them steady shots.

Granted they are the Shoulder Mounted Pro Cameras but got me wondering if you can use the Matte Boxes for the EX3 the same way?
As in: Does a Mattebox give you clearence on either side so your fingers don't creep into the shot?
Clueless as I have never seen one in action.

Is the Vocas Clip On Kit C-77 also for the EX3?
 
I have personally always been very concerned about hanging heavy things off camera lenses so I much prefer to use a baseplate and rods. I have a Petroff mattebox and Petroff does make an accessory ring to the EX1/3 stock lens. It attaches quite securely. The Petroff box is quite lightweight. Robert Petroff himself tells me that there should be no concerns of breaking off the lens. Still, I just like that added security of rods.

I would imagine that the Vocas would work on both EX1/3 since the lens is the same.
 
They are also using a heavy composite and thicker aluminum camera frames with a solid metal to metal PL mount to lens, plus rods. Only those guys with that set up could get away with doing that a lot and not breaking anything. I don't think I would put that sort of stress on the EX-3 Camera frame. Use a rod and handle set-up, to take the stress.
 

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Chrosziel 450-EX3K Mattebox Kit for Sony PMW-EX3 looks like a nice system.

The Petroff looks impressive too but a bit too cumbersome for what I want to film with mine. That rig you got shown there JD....is that yours?
Where did you source the parts? I am in Europe.
 
JDDallas, is that a Cavision shoulder mount? Looks like it. I just got one. I'm pretty happy with it but I do find it a bit uncomfortable. I was thinking about adding some padding inside the shoulder part so I was wondering what is the blue padding you have there?

Thanks,
Graham
 
Just went to a camping store and got some foam padding, like a sleeping bag pad. Was looking for sleeping bag pads but, some were too funky with ridges and just happened on a square piece of foam. And cut them for both shoulder pieces and added sticky Velcro to pad and shoulder pieces. Really helps big time, now it's totally comfortable and pretty balanced.
 

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Lads.....isn't having to buy extra padding for a shoulder support kind of a black mark against this?
Shouldn't these things work out of the box....a shoulder support that isn't comfortable is a bit pointless.
 
Thanks JD, I'll probably do something similar. You set it up so well it looks like it was designed for that purpose. When I first saw it, I searched the Cavision site looking for blue foam inserts.

The Cavision setup is cheap and sturdy so I don't mind if I have to spend a little extra money and effort to make it just right for me.
 
I'm a big fan of the Arri MMB-1 Follow Focus/Matte Box kit for the EX3. It is the best built Matte box for this camera hands down. It was built specifically for the EX line so I think you could hold on to it without any damage and no fear of pulling the lens off.

http://www.abelcine.com/store/product.php?productid=1001192

I like this in combination with the VariZoom DV Media Rig:

http://www.abelcine.com/store/product.php?productid=1000304&cat=0&page=1

I built this up and it felt good on my shoulder with the Mattebox.
 
EIREHotspur said:
Lads.....isn't having to buy extra padding for a shoulder support kind of a black mark against this?
Shouldn't these things work out of the box....a shoulder support that isn't comfortable is a bit pointless.
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It's the whole cost point issue, I would love to have an Arri set-up, but that's about 1500.00 more that Cavision. Both are great but I got all of this stuff near the same time as camera, so I was staring at a large number $$ at the time. They may also save cost by not engineering a pad set-up, more savings for you, cheaper price. I don't mind tinkering anyway.
 
I do not like the Varizoom Rig....too cumbersome looking for me.
I do like the mattebox though.
What would the basic matte box kit be like?
Probably too dodgy without the rails and not as sturdy.
Good lord though guys.....when you look at these things......got to be something sinfull paying 1/3 to 1/2 of the price of a camera for an accessory. Wives and GFs....cover your eyes.
 
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