Matteboxes / focus pulls - how much impact?

LeoLeo

LeoLeo

Member
How much impact do matteboxes have upon filming (especially when only shooting DV)... Are they more useful because of filter options or because of stopping lens flare?

Also, if they're considered a necessity, are they all pretty much good or should I avoid certain makes? - could any prices or recommendations please refer to the UK...

I'd like to ask exactly the same questions for focus pulls (or whatever they're supposed to be called) - I know about pro films having 1AC's to pull focus and why but in indie film making on small dv rigs, what are they used for? - just when matteboxes/35mm adapters get in the way OR are they a good idea anyway like if it's hard to keep the camera steady and turn the focus on the lens...?

Again - "Also, if they're considered a necessity, are they all pretty much good or should I avoid certain makes? - could any prices or recommendations please refer to the UK..."

thank you!
 
Matteboxes do both equally well. Filter changes go much faster with filter trays than when you're stacking screw-on filters to the end of your lens.

For shading your lens, a mattebox can't be beat. French (eyebrow) flags, side flags and hard mattes allow the operator to shoot almost directly into the light source without worrying over flare.

Good, professional brands for one or both include Arri, Bartech, Cavision, Chrosziel, Petroff, Preston, RedRock Micro and Vocas.

e
 
I think the focus pulls you are refering to are normally called follow focus units. I see them as tools to make a significant task (managing focus) a lot easier; as rotating the focus ring on the lens itself becomes difficult for something like a full rotation- a follow focus can do the job much more conveniently.
 
yeah follow focus units!

so with regards to both follow focus units and matte boxes, I don't want to go OTT as I'm just starting out but obviously I don't wanna buy junk so - what do you recommend that's good but not pricey? (in the UK too!!)
 
You should search on this. DVInfo even has a "best follow-focus" write up as well.

Cavision, which, in my mind, is third only to Chrosziel and Arri follow-focus was not included in the review for whatever reason.

e
 
when you say just as great, I take it you're being sarcastic? it looked like a freaking toy against the rest in those videos...

where can I look for UK prices of all those or should I import from the US? what about import tax and VAT? google isn't helping a great deal...
 
No, Papa is meaning that he likes it a lot... I also own the IndieFocus, and it works very, well.. by far the most bang for your buck! Red Rock just camout out with a reversion of the FF also, tho when comparing to the prices of the 2 a RR FF with gears is like around 625, a IndieFocus with gears, whip, speed crank, and other main gears is 460 shipped, and performance is quite close. Had a friend over today wit the new RR FF and he was so impressed on how well the IndieFocus held up... The only thing I like about the RR more than my indiefocus is the Lens gears and the FF wheel it self, all in all it is a great FF, The lens gears are just a pain to put on vs. RR snack ons...:( at cine gear I will probably get some RR gears for cheap from Brian, Hopefully:). Also Tim at IndieFocus is one of the nicest guys on the planet, I have never seen such devotion to helping customers... and I mean that with all my heart, great guy, hope he sees this post.

Jon
 
really is it that good? it looks rubbish in the videos (although, yeah that's an old model now) - does the INDIfocus still have the large diameter, thin width gear?
 
They have completely redesigned it from the ground up, Its a wholenother beast. Ill post some pick of it soon for ya..


Jon
 
cool I just checked out the site (duh).

One thing I don't understand is about gearing your lenses - is there anywhere I can read up on that?
 
indiFocus and others make variable diameter gear rings that attach to your third-party lenses. They screw into your lens focus barrel at three or more points.

Make sure you get Film Pitch 0.8 - that's the standard.

e
 
Hmm. So the "cine pitch gear 0.8" is the gear ring that will fit an slr lens? How come the packages come with "three lens gears" and then have one cine pitch as an additional, shouldn't there be a choice of what lens gears you get as part of the pack - also they claim they've got this "universal friction wheel" so you don't need to gear your lenses - is this just a gimmick? Their site isn't very clear, like what the hell is a "lens gear driver" and why is it not included in the first package? ahrhgh such a headache
 
Just talk to Tim, He will help you out with anything you need.
Some Pics to answer questions,
1206228212.jpg

1206228760.jpg

1206228874.jpg


the universal wheel works


Jon
 
I don't know if Tim is offering film pitch. That is a question for him. I would insist on film, then Canon then Fuji pitch - in that order.

Furthermore, a proper follow focus kit should have various diameters of each pitch. The different diameters allow for better control over barrel rotation / focus speed.

e
 
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