Matte Box recommendations for DVX-100?

[Brian Cupini]

I'm looking for a good yet reasonably priced matte box for my DVX.. Can anybody recommend one for me, and if possible, a good retailer for these kinds of supplies? Thanks in advance.

[Don Berube]

Hi Brian,

"Reasonably priced" means different things to different people,,, how much are you planning on spending?

- don

[Russell Pond]

Pardon my ignorance, but can someone tell me what is the purpose of a Matte Box? What is it used for? Why would I need one?

Thanks,
Russell

[Teo Coxman]

I went for the Chroziel Mini DV at Band Pro...It works well with the PD150 Light support Rods and has a 2 stage 4x4 Filter system...It works well and looks very professional...The matte box is 599.00 there

[Don Berube]

Hello Russell,

Matte boxes (and filters) are tools which allow you to manipulate and modify light before that light passes through the lens and hits the image plane (CCD, tubes, film negative).

The most basic and fundamental use of filters is the classic UV screw-on filter which many camera owners use to protect the front glass element surface of the lens. Another example is the classic Polarizer filter which can help make colors more vibrant and help to minimize reflections on surfaces. Another type of filter would be a Neutral Density filter, which can help to cut down the intensity of light passing through the lens, much like placing a pair of Ban-Rays in front of the lens. For a thorough explanation of different types of filters, check out the "Tech Talk" article by Ira Tiffen at http://www.tiffen.com/Header_page_tiffen_filters.htm

Matte boxes are used for maximum control of filters placed in front of the lens, such as when using half-graduated Neutral Density filters or half-graduated color filters, polarizers, etc. There are so many different makes and models of matte boxes out there to choose from, it would be impossible to talk about each one here. They all have their own strengths and weaknesses. I primarily use a Chrosziel 4x4 Sunshade matte box with my XL1S.
http://www.16x9inc.com/chrosziel/11c_4x4dv.shtml
I also alway carry a Lee filters Lightweight Video Hood 95 http://leefiltersusa.com/CameraPrice...iceVidHd.html# in my bag, just in case for those times when I need a matte box at a moments notice. Again, there are so many others available from companies such as Formatt, Century Optics, etc and it all boils down to what your preferences are.

Matte boxes are used in many different ways, with and without filters. I think the easiest way to answer your question is to direct you to the SEARCH button at the top right of the screen. Take advantage of the SEARCH feature whenever you have any questions about anything related to DV here at dvinfo.net, Chris Hurd has managed to assemble a wonderful wealth of information, articles, resources, etc and it is all accessible by the SEARCH feature. Simply enter some keyword such as "matte box", "filters", "filtration", 4x4 filters", etc and you will get tons of useful information in return which you can peruse through at your own pace and leisure. Here is an example search result using the keywords "matte box and filters":
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/search.ph...der=descending

Bear in mind that not every shot requires filtration or the use of a matte box. Also, most beginning camera owners do NOT need to run out and purchase a matte box either. This is something to get into once you are comfortable with using your camera and have reached a point where you could benefit from using filtration. You can learn more about using filtration in a more simpler form by starting off with a screw-on Polarizer, Black Diffusion FX 1/2, etc such as those found at http://www.tiffen.com/DVfilterkits.htm.

Please do let us know if you have any questions or comments and do keep in touch!

- don

[Boyd Ostroff]

Scott Billups gives the following definition in his DIGITAL MOVIEMAKING book:

"The camera is a system designed to collect and control a stream of reflected light within the limits of its designated recording specifications. Perhaps the most practical and significant step towards controllng light is the mattebox lightshade. It serves a dual purpose, as its name would suggest - of shading the forward lens element from stray shafts of light, while also allowing you a mechanism for attaching a variety of filters."

[Don Berube]

Nicely put Boyd!

Russel, you can also refer to the following article
http://noisybrain.com/onloc1_01.html and http://noisybrain.com/onloc1_02.html.

- don