So far a decent matte box and monitor?
 

So far whats been found to be a good lower priced mattebox filters are not really needed I have screw on that I use often, for an xha1 and also a nice small external monitor, HD is nice but full screen for framing on a crane, dolly and steadycam, are whats its really needed for so even a lowpriced sd monitor that shows full frame would be fine.

What are the best deals around and what are the next tier up in price and quality.


Thanks for any help.

I'm personally waiting for:

http://redrockmicro.com/microMattebox.html

They are going to be released second quarter of this year and will retail for only $500! You CANNOT beat that for a 3 stage adjustable filter matte box. I have seriously searched high and low for every possible matte box combination compatible with the A1 and this is by far the best for your money. RedRock has an amazing reputation in the industry as well.

You could pair up a monitor mounting bracket or arm via the MicroMatte Box rail system as well. I haven't really looked into monitors that much, but a SD monitor on an HDV cam seems pointless to me. Ikan is selling refurbished monitors at half price on their website with full warranty. I would definitely look into that. An 8" HD monitor for only $400 is a pretty sweet deal...

http://www.ikancorp.com/

I've been looking at Matte Boxes for a while and decided that since I really don't need filters (I'll use screw on) - I'd just make one.

It's cardboard & gaffer tape - does it work? - YES - does it look good? - only from a distance

I'm using the lens hood from the XH-A1 with some velcro and it does the job.

I've also got a LEX with 4 Canon FD lenses and I've made the same unit work for this with another cardboard attachment for the bottom of the hood which fits on the rails.

It's not very elegant but it does the job and leaves me some cash to spend on other things.

For the monitor I got a 7" LCD off ebay for $70 - no good for focus but very light for on-camera / crane and fine for framing. The resolution was quoted as 1024 but it ended up being 480x234 - dodgy ebay sellers! - still the price was right.

I love it, Paul!

:)

Looks pretty good to me Paul.

Paul, do you have any dimensions or sort of blueprints? Im Really interested in thatt little design you've got there!

no plans or anything but I'll do you a little step by step video if you like - it wouldn't be hard to make it look a lot more professional

That's pretty crafty Paul!

The funny thing is that GearDear is selling foam-core manufactured type matte boxes that probably cost about as much as yours to amke, but cost WAY more to buy...

yes paul i would love that! when you have time my email is lorensimons@mac.com, thanks so much!

I would love to see a step by step video as well. My e-mail is hallewoode@gmail.com.

same here: nagisa.kodama@gmail.com

okay guys & gals - here it is

It's quick & dirty but if you refer to the pictures above it should all make sense.

Mine's a little of the rough side but it's just a test and I'll make a better one next time. It's cost me almost nothing and it does the job - it's basically a shade, a bigger lens hood.

For short films and personal projects it's fine but remember I don't do this for a living - I'm not charging. If I were, I'd think about buying a more professional looking unit. Mind you I be thinking pretty hard with the prices they charge.

For now it works, and if I use it till it falls apart then I know I'm getting my money's worth.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6CxtE-iVug

I think there would also be a way to add adjustable french flags as well - made out of .... I'm sure you can guess

Hello Kellen,

have you ever tried to put a 4x4" filter inside of this "mattebox"?
IMHO matteboxes do not make much sense without filters...

And there is a big difference between this cardboard "mattebox" and my Geardear www.geardear.com one, there is more expertise and craftmanship inside than you maybe can imagine. There is a reason why it got a DVmagazine "Instant Expert" listing www.dv.com/dv/magazine/2007/August/ie0807.pdf ...

Have you had ever one in your hand yourself?

Marc

Matte Box
 

Marc, the Matte Boxes shown on this web site fir the XL1. Do they also fit the XG A1(G1)?

Phil, while im not from geardear, i recently was wondering that myself, and to my understanding there are matte-boxes from geardear specially designed for the a1 and g1, with a cut out for the autofocus sensor still=)