Matthews Various Silvers

[bcheong]

I've been looking into Matthews 6x6 various silver textiles. They have four options in total: Silver Lame, Grifflector, Matthflector, Matthtalica. They're catalogue outlines differences in bounce characteristics but it still seems fairly vague in terms of texture, etc - IE: both the Lame and Matthflector are listed as Ultra Soft. Does anyone have any more comprehensive info about the differences?

 

[10s]

Re: Matthews Various Silvers

Here's my 2 cents:

I took a look at my matthews catalog and it appears that they're graded in their ability to reflect: soft diffraction reflectance up to specular mirror like reflectance. These sort of problem/decisions depend on application (Set) what lights are used, & desired effect. I would think most people would want a whole set of options.

Experience tells me everytime I use a silver under bright lights it cooks the talents eyes, they complain, etc... therefor a dull silver seems to be a good starting place with lots of diffraction.

For myself I use the flex fills, silver, sunlight, gold, white, silk, etc... that still photographers use. i love em!

Auto parts stores: you can find windshield sun block shades made out of aluminum foil type material that fold up, one side shiny the other side a dull silver for 7 dollars. As far as C standing it..that's another problem.

 

[bcheong]

Re: Matthews Various Silvers

Right...that's what I seemed to gather.  I've used various kinds of silver butterfly's (from heavy reflectance to a softer texture) I'm just not sure of Mattthew's naming system.  I'm wondering which name goes with what type and the finer differences? Like I've used silvers that are checkered like Griffolyn (I'm guessing that;s what the Grifflector is like) and also smoother materials.

I've had great success building my own frames out of 1" conduit pipe for a fraction of what it costs to buy a frame from Matthews or Avenger so the auto store is a good suggestion. I also have a bunch of 40" C-stands so I have no problem flying the thing.

 

[10s]

Re: Matthews Various Silvers

The windshed reflectors are pretty small, another thing I have but yet to use are space blankets (the silver stuff) ....I actually did wrap talent in them one cold evening outside! I even found one that is thick for survivial with gromments on the outside & it's a blanket size....thats pretty big...folds up & out the way. Setting it at an angle needs some thought & tools.

You might call Matthews or a distributor to get the bottom line description. & you can always make your own...afterall the catalog description says, glued silver paper..how difficult is that?

 

[bcheong]

Re: Matthews Various Silvers

hahaha...i might just try....or Rosco makes some soft silver gel/reflector material that seems somewhat durable..it's kind of plastic-y. I've been using pieces taped onto foamcore with good results. I've just been looking into something bigger for bounce on wider shots. Probably something mid soft rather than ultra soft...for those cloudier days.