Thoughts on Mattebox Crosziel 4x4 (411-53p)

D

Draccan

Well-known member
Hey,

I was wondering what your thoughts were on Mattebox Crosziel 4x4 (411-53p).
http://www.pro35.com/zgc.nsf/0/1dcef929111d710885256daa00551fd7?OpenDocument

(for feature films shot on DVX100 with anamorphic adapter AG-LA 7200G).

Is it good? What are the advantages and disadvantages. It is very expensive, but what do you get for this price?

Has anyone actual experience with it? It will cost 2/3 of what I paid for the DVX100.

This is a lame question but is it necessary with the 401-46+420-02 center bracket and ligthweight support?

Tell me your experiences with and without mattebox,

D.

www.peyotefilm.co.uk
 
Chrosziel manufactures some of the best matteboxes you can buy at this price range, and while expensive, they are cleanly machined and designed. Every part fits and moves easily and unlike other matteboxes I've encountered, will not easily wear from general, every day use (one Cavision I had, the bellows nearly fell off). Although they are not as durable as a Cinetech or Arri mattebox in my opinion, this particular kit should last you a long time.

Which brings me to one advantage. By using different Chrosziel step rings you may be able to use this mattebox on different cameras, and therefore, make your investment last longer.

Other advantages include greater control over potential glares, flares, and other unwanted stray light - Chrosziel provides the option of adding sidewings along with the french flag - not to mention the ability to use several Century Optics lenses and the Panasonic 16:9 adapter lens. The 411-53P is the only mattebox which will let you use Panasonic's Anamorphic Adapter.

Two 4X4 filter trays also allows you to add or remove filters on the fly - no need to screw filters on during a shoot. Simply drop the filter in place. One even rotates, which is beneficial when using a polarizer or other effects based filter.

For this particular setup, I highly recommend the rods support and bracket. They help keep all that extra weight off the front of your Panasonic AG-DVX100's lens, and keeps the mattebox secured in place. Besides, you may want to add a follow focus in the future.

There are disadvantages of owning and using a mattebox. Aside from the high initial cost, you will need to account for this gear in your bag or Pelican case. Do you have room for this equipment? It also takes time to setup and breakdown if your case does not allow you to stow the entire rig fully-assembled. This means if you are shooting a documentary, you may not want to have this kind of mattebox because of the extra equipment you have to carry and/or time needed to setup. It can also be awkward to wield without an additional shoulder support system - will you be doing a lot of handheld work?

On the other hand, you will be hard pressed to find a professional production without a mattebox of some kind. My best recommendation would be to shoot without one for a bit then see if you can rent this rig and see if it improves your shoot. You could be better off using a clamp-on mattebox instead depending on your setup, which is a lot cheaper.
 
Great response above.

In truth, it all depends on what you FUTURE plans are. Bear in mind that real gigs tend to go to folks that have real gear. And in the near future all those gigs will to folks with HD or HDV. SO my advice is don't spend a ton of money of something that will only work on your DVX. Either don't buy one, or get one that will adapt to the HD camera you will most likely buy in the next year or two.

some folks don't ralize it yet, but what's happening with the video world is very akin to to the sound world that went from 8-track to cassette to CD and now turing into all digital.

DTE HD - direct to edit high definition is the future of video capture and this is the beggining of it. the rest will go the way of the 8-track
 
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