ND Filters for Mattebox?
- Thread starter leaftors
- Start date
They all do the same thing: reduce the amount of light coming into the lens. The screw-on filters attach directly to the lens. The plates are held in filter frames and dropped into the matte box, just in front of the lens.
Most matte boxes offer rotating frames (often two or more filter stages), or a combination of rotating and fixed filter stages.
The other difference is about $100.
Most matte boxes offer rotating frames (often two or more filter stages), or a combination of rotating and fixed filter stages.
The other difference is about $100.
If I were to use a mattebox with an nd filter could I swap lenses without having to change the filter? Would I save more money going the mattebox route?
I've been looking at the lcw nd filters that screw on your lens and a 77mm runs around 125 and 82mm runs around 190.
What's the price range for the mattebox/ndfilter route. I don't want to spend a lot.
I've been looking at the lcw nd filters that screw on your lens and a 77mm runs around 125 and 82mm runs around 190.
What's the price range for the mattebox/ndfilter route. I don't want to spend a lot.
You won't have to change filters when you change lenses. However, you're looking at $300+ for the matte box, plus $175 (give or take) per filter. Then you'll have to get a rail system to support the matte box, and that's another $300 or more.
The best thing to do if a matte box is way beyond your budget is to get one set of screw-on filters, either 77mm or 82mm depending on your largest lens's filter diameter, and then get step-down rings to conform those filters to any of your smaller lenses.
The best thing to do if a matte box is way beyond your budget is to get one set of screw-on filters, either 77mm or 82mm depending on your largest lens's filter diameter, and then get step-down rings to conform those filters to any of your smaller lenses.
LightCraft Workshop has a 4x4 set: http://lightcraftworkshop.com/product.php?id=7
It's expensive ($500), and it requires the use of two filter stages. The other benefit of the matte box is that switching filters is much easier than with screw-on filters. Simply slide the frame out of the matte box, put a different filter in the frame, and slide it back in. And really, there's no need for a fader/vari ND with a matte box. With a proper set of filters, you can get pretty much anything you need by layering filters.
I think I'd like to go the 4x4 route.
Can you recommend some good quality solid 4x4 nd filters?
Also, instead of a mattebox, which filter holder would you recommend?
And how do you feel about these matteboxes. Will they do the trick or will light sneak in?
http://www.ebay.com/sch/filmcity23/...&_sticky=1&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14&_sop=15&_sc=1
Can you recommend some good quality solid 4x4 nd filters?
Also, instead of a mattebox, which filter holder would you recommend?
And how do you feel about these matteboxes. Will they do the trick or will light sneak in?
http://www.ebay.com/sch/filmcity23/...&_sticky=1&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14&_sop=15&_sc=1
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If you're going to get into 4x4 filters, don't get a filter holder. They won't protect from extraneous light.
For starters, I'd get the following filters from Schneider, Formatt, or Tiffen:
- ND 0.3, 0.6, 0.9
- Circular polarizer
Later, you might want to add:
- ND 1.2
- Grad ND 0.3, 0.6, 0.9
As for cheap matte boxes... there are a couple of low-cost options that will work. They have drawbacks, but they'll work. The Indian version (ProAim from Cine City), which is the same as the IndiSystem indiMATTE, is workable and at a nice price. It's a little clumsy in places, and the two filter stages rotate together, but I have one from IndiSystem and it does what I need it to do. I can't speak personally of any of the other cheap ones you find on ebay.
If you want to do this right the first time (buy right and buy once), look at matte box systems from Shoot35, Cinevate, RedRock Micro, and Genus. Honestly, you're looking at around $500 just for the matte box, plus $175-ish per filter, plus the rails system you'll need for the matte box. The plus side is that you can create a franken-rig, and the rails themselves are the easiest to procure on a budget with reliable results. So piece your rig together as you need it.
For starters, I'd get the following filters from Schneider, Formatt, or Tiffen:
- ND 0.3, 0.6, 0.9
- Circular polarizer
Later, you might want to add:
- ND 1.2
- Grad ND 0.3, 0.6, 0.9
As for cheap matte boxes... there are a couple of low-cost options that will work. They have drawbacks, but they'll work. The Indian version (ProAim from Cine City), which is the same as the IndiSystem indiMATTE, is workable and at a nice price. It's a little clumsy in places, and the two filter stages rotate together, but I have one from IndiSystem and it does what I need it to do. I can't speak personally of any of the other cheap ones you find on ebay.
If you want to do this right the first time (buy right and buy once), look at matte box systems from Shoot35, Cinevate, RedRock Micro, and Genus. Honestly, you're looking at around $500 just for the matte box, plus $175-ish per filter, plus the rails system you'll need for the matte box. The plus side is that you can create a franken-rig, and the rails themselves are the easiest to procure on a budget with reliable results. So piece your rig together as you need it.
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