Would you get a follow focus or matte box first?

A

analogs

Well-known member
I would like to know which of these two devices they have found to be invaluable in their use of the DSLR and shooting?

Are these luxuries?

Would you consider the follow focus if you have a lens handle follow focus?

Would you consider a matte box if you have a lens hood for all your lenses?
 
Follow focus all the way. If you have a puller, it's a must. If it has hard stops, it's very useful for solo work.
 
Which need are you having more trouble addressing: pulling focus from the lens, or controlling light coming into the lens?
 
For me, it was a matte box. I use it much more than my FF, especially with a polarizer. Granted, I don't use it when I don't need it, and more importantly, I did not buy a mattebox that simply "looked cool." Small, light and functional are what make a useful tool for my projects.
 
The chances that you have both ND/polarizer and lens hood for your current DSLR is quite big, if that's the case there really isn't a immediate need for a matte box.
 
One use for the matte box is when I use my Tiffen Variable ND filter which is set for 82mm lens. This prevents the lens hood from being attached on all my lenses because it is so much bigger than the lens itself.
 
How are you set for recording audio, lighting, and tripods? I'd say those three are more useful than either a follow focus or matte box.
 
Nate Haustein said:
For me, it was a matte box.
Click to expand...
Got both the Mattebox and the Follow Focus at the same time, and I'd say I use both regulary. Pulling focus will give you nice shots, but if you have unwanted flares in it, it won't worth the moves.
Once you know how to work with a Mattebox (using f/5.6 and faster) on a bright daylight with NDs, Polarizers when shooting with reflective surfaces (Polarizers to reduces these reflections), then the choice will be simple. But the cost isn't the same for one or the other, even with cheaper ones. The Mattebox itself is useful to reduce flares, but without filters, it's pretty much a simple sunshade.
You will need the right tool for the job you're after, that's for sure.
 
When I started test shooting DSLRs (I had "broadcast" video cameras with XLRs, etc) I got a T2i and Nikon adapter. I started with the FF and got some rubber hoods and some cheap circular NDs and polas (esp. in the T2i days, cheap filters really made little difference in the already kinda crappy footage). Did a couple shoots like that to see what I thought, grew my kit from there.

But man, these days, a Fotga FF and Matte box is cheaper than what I paid for my first DSLR matte box, and better quality. It just really depends on your shooting style. Keep in mind - it's very hard to get smooth focus racks with many DSLR lenses... they're not built to be stable when focusing and the elements jump whenever you touch the wheel.

If you're agonizing over the cost... there's almost ZERO REASON to own a matte box without a set of filters for it. And then you're really talking some cash.

I'd say, get a 72mm rubber hood that folds to different sizes. Get another and trim it for wide angle - (you've now spent $20). Now get the best 72mm pola and NDs you can afford. Get one of those arms to hold a black flag over the lens if you need it. Get some chinese NDs for your least-used stops if you have to. Get adapter rings for each lens. (If you're using more consumer-level glass, get the largest hoods & NDs you need, you may be at 62 or 52mm and that will save more $$).

When you get a matte box, those rubber hoods beat the hell out of most donuts & knickers for light control that's fast to setup - they're a permanent part of my rig.
 
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