Advantages of a Mattebox? at DVinfo.net

Simon Duncan · June 16th, 2006, 01:51 PM

Now this may seem a very naive question but came someone please
explain to me the Advantages of using a Mattebox.

Outside making the camera look more professional what is the real function
of the Mattebox?

Thanks

Doug Boze · June 16th, 2006, 01:54 PM

To keep extraneous light out of the lens and to hold filters.

Robin Davies-Rollinson · June 16th, 2006, 02:23 PM

Simon,
Welcome to DVinfo.net!
You question about matte boxes crops up quite frequently, so I suggest that you do a "search" using our search feature - you'll find out all you ever wanted to know ..... :-)

Robin

Ash Greyson · June 16th, 2006, 06:31 PM

Most hoods that come with cameras are already good enough. In DV world they were created so that people with existing drop-in filters could make use of those. I would say MOST people using them are doing it for the look more than the functionality.

ash =o)

Ken Diewert · June 16th, 2006, 08:08 PM

But you gotta admit Ash, they do look cool!!!

Tony Davies-Patrick · June 17th, 2006, 01:14 AM

I tend to prefer using a decent lens hood rather than the overpriced Matte boxes, because the UV or polarizing filters that I use are round screw-on filters.

I also own a lot of Graduated filters in square or "P" size, and these fit nicely into a 'P' size holder in conjunction with a large Bellows Hood. The advantage of using a bellows hood is that it can be adjusted to extend for telephoto lenses, or squeeze smaller for wide angle lenses to prevent vignetting.

June 16th, 2006, 01:51 PM	#1
Simon Duncan Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Angers, France Posts: 181	Advantages of a Mattebox? Now this may seem a very naive question but came someone please explain to me the Advantages of using a Mattebox. Outside making the camera look more professional what is the real function of the Mattebox? Thanks

June 16th, 2006, 01:54 PM	#2
Doug Boze Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 218	To keep extraneous light out of the lens and to hold filters. __________________ "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Benjamin Franklin, 1759

June 16th, 2006, 08:08 PM	#5
Ken Diewert Trustee Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Vancouver Island, Canada Posts: 1,200	But you gotta admit Ash, they do look cool!!! __________________ C100, 5DMk2, FCPX

June 17th, 2006, 01:14 AM	#6
Tony Davies-Patrick Trustee Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Worldwide Posts: 1,589	I tend to prefer using a decent lens hood rather than the overpriced Matte boxes, because the UV or polarizing filters that I use are round screw-on filters. I also own a lot of Graduated filters in square or "P" size, and these fit nicely into a 'P' size holder in conjunction with a large Bellows Hood. The advantage of using a bellows hood is that it can be adjusted to extend for telephoto lenses, or squeeze smaller for wide angle lenses to prevent vignetting. __________________ www.WILDCARP.com www.NIKON.me.uk

June 16th, 2006, 02:23 PM	#3
Robin Davies-Rollinson Trustee Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Gwaelod-y-garth, Cardiff, CYMRU/WALES Posts: 1,215	Simon, Welcome to DVinfo.net! You question about matte boxes crops up quite frequently, so I suggest that you do a "search" using our search feature - you'll find out all you ever wanted to know ..... :-) Robin

June 16th, 2006, 06:31 PM	#4
Ash Greyson Trustee Join Date: May 2003 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 1,689	Most hoods that come with cameras are already good enough. In DV world they were created so that people with existing drop-in filters could make use of those. I would say MOST people using them are doing it for the look more than the functionality. ash =o)