What is a matte box?

Essentially it's an adjustable lens shade that allows mounting of filters sized mostly at 4"x4" or 4" x 5.6". They reduce lens flare and improve image quality by blocking non-image forming light from hitting your lens.

We shot a little clip in terms of the Titan mattebox that we developed. You'll find an ipod encode as well as flash encode in the product description that goes over basic features.

Has to be thousands of posts via google too :-)
 
But it's much more than that to an indie film maker, esp one using a DSLR - it makes your camera look cool.

Yeah, it keeps the light off the lens and yes you can stick filers in them - but it's the cool factor that should make you at least look into a DIY version (even one w/o lens holding).

If your not paying people up front (deferred) or paying them very little, it always helps to have them at least think that you know what you're doing - and it's not like they're going to look at your reel. Having an impressive looking camera always helps in this. It's one of the reasons the JVC GYU line has sold so well - it looks like a bad-ass camera. It helps with the actors as well - evne well established ones (see, "The Keifer Test": http://www.buddytv.com/info/kiefer-sutherland-info.aspx##WikiSection15).

Do you need it? No. Is it nice for a variety of reasons? Yup.

One of the awesome thing about the DSLR format is that they're small - but you can also build them up to look like "real" cameras, maybe even for Kiefer. Go here for proof of that:
http://www.vimeo.com/14699975
 
but seriously, I was like that when i was starting, I can do with less. Or, -its just a lenshood.

Later on I realized I need to use filters-so I added a holder,
later on I grew to acquire more lenses with diff thread sizes-so I added different size filter holders,
later on i got bigger and serious projects that required a lot of image control- meaning flags to control flare, especially on wide angles.

Thats when I "grew" to learn why matteboxes are for and why more experienced people use them.

I then decided to make one, -and two.

NEVER did I get it to get myself to look cool, only out of need.

Also a mattebox controls flares better. Especially when light is coming at 11 oclock or 3 oclock levels.

A proper shade and flag controls the light coming in and adds contrast to you image.

A flare comes in different flavours, the usual one you see are being used for effects, such that plug ins are made to ADD FLARE!

But the ones you don't want are those that cover the entire image, "fogging" it up and diminishes contrast.

I now use my own mattebox, even when I had a chrosziel and a redrock at my disposal since mine is very light at only 12 ounces!

When you learn through hard knocks, you know the hard way why these tools were made in the first place.

I also learned not to give excuses when a shot got screwed when using the right tools could have prevented it.
 
Thank you that is very insightful. Which part is the "flare"?

teddybear said:
Also a mattebox controls flares better. Especially when light is coming at 11 oclock or 3 oclock levels.

A proper shade and flag controls the light coming in and adds contrast to you image.

A flare comes in different flavours, the usual one you see are being used for effects, such that plug ins are made to ADD FLARE!

But the ones you don't want are those that cover the entire image, "fogging" it up and diminishes contrast.
Click to expand...
 
It's a $1,000 piece of metal that you put on the front of your camera to make it look cool.
 
Ben_B said:
It's a $1,000 piece of metal that you put on the front of your camera to make it look cool.
Click to expand...

I you are stupid and don't know its purpose.
But it great tool to control light coming to your camera especially when you have older lenses without good coating and if its well built, then it can many times safe your lenses from damage of flying objects, branches etc. I think that sometimes its imposible to get good shot without it - closeups with lots of strong lights around etc.
 
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hawaj said:
I you are stupid and don't know its purpose.
But it great tool to control light coming to your camera especially when you have older lenses without good coating and if its well built, then it can many times safe your lenses from damage of flying objects, branches etc. I think that sometimes its imposible to get good shot without it - closeups with lots of strong lights around etc.
Click to expand...

Lol I know exactly what it's for.
 
Rider said:
I've heard mention of a matte box, and was wondering what that is.
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It's what people start to use once they realize that fader ND's are retarded and understand that they need to have glass just as expensive as their stills lens they bought for all their savings.

Oh, right, "need"... actually you don't need anything these days... cus there is MAGIC BULLET!!!!! *badumtish*
 
Do it in post. Uncontolled flare all over the place is a pain. Record clean and add, 'cuz you can't take it away.
Dave
 
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