View Full Version : Your opinion on follow focus, matte box and LCD monitor
Joseph Ivey September 13th, 2005, 01:30 PM I am in the market for a follow focus rig, a matte box that holds at least two filters (one of which can rotate) and an LCD monitor (something around 7 inches +/-). I have seen some rigs that have handle attachments to the support rails and was curious about that to.
I have heard names like Chrosziel and Cavision batted around and I just wanted to get some feedback as to which brands make the best equipment. Obviously I am not looking to buy all from one company either. Any help that you guys can be would be greatly appreciated.
Dan Diaconu September 13th, 2005, 03:38 PM Joseph,
The gear you need to use depends on the camera you have, the work you do and obviously your personal shooting style. I have used FF form Cavision, Arriflex and Chrosziel and I ended up making my own. It will be available about 5 weeks from now, but you can check out the prototype and what it does here:
http://dandiaconu.com/available_products.htm
Do not be fooled by the introductory low price. I will have the whole list of acessories (whip, white marker donut and marker and more) on the same page soon.
Travis Andersen September 13th, 2005, 04:19 PM Hey Dan,
Can you tell me if your follow focus will work with the XL2 standard, 16X manual and 3X wide lenses and with a Cavision Mattebox. Here is a picture of my setup with 16X. Thanks
http://www.geocities.com/downhillmania/Picture062.jpg
Joseph Ivey September 13th, 2005, 04:25 PM Yeah sorry for lack of details. I would be using a Canon 16x manual lens. The follow focus, mattebox and LCD monitor would be used for commercials, industrial videos, and weddings primarily.
I am also going to use it for short films or for lower budget features. I am getting into music videos and documentaries as well. As you can see I am getting into a lot of stuff.
And before you ask or assume, I have been a camera operator for a few years now. I am not that green, but I am wanting to expand my resume and now I get enough work shooting other people's stuff I want to get more of my own out there.
Dan Diaconu September 13th, 2005, 04:30 PM Perfect match for the set-up. I will have to check the size of the 16X and 3x lenses (assuming you will want to gear them)/(against my gear size), but if you have the gears (just did not mount them yet), then by all means YES. You can do the same; check the diameter of 16X and 3X; if they are smaller or equal to 20X, my gears will mount on them.
Van Berghe September 14th, 2005, 08:18 AM Regarding your monitor question... While shopping for an onboard
7" inch lcd with 16:9 I became frustrated by the high prices. Then
I switched shopping venues and found some very affordable monitors
sold for cars ("portable video"). You'll need to buy a 12 volt / two
pound battery, but if you're doing tripod work, just use the battery
as a tripod weight.
I'm not clever, just poor!
Joseph Ivey September 14th, 2005, 06:28 PM To be honest price isn't a factor (unless they want 3k for a freakin monitor). I have seen most for aroound $600 which is doable. Right now I am just trying to collect as much info on these three items as possible. I have heard Chrosziel makes a good follow focus and matte box, and Panasonic a good LCD monitor.
What I really want is feedback from owners of different follow focus units and matte boxes (the kind supported by the 15mm rails not the clamp on kind) and I am also looking for any support rail system that has some sort of grips for handheld camera shots.
Travis Andersen September 14th, 2005, 06:39 PM Hey Joeseph,
For what you want, handels included Id check into the Cavision system.
Here are the prices I got from Gabriela at Cavision when I bought mine. I even bought the filter kit which is worth the money IMO.
Hope this helps.
Dear Travis,
The 4x4 matte box works with the Canon XL-2 in 16x9 mode and with the 3x
wide angle in 16x9 mode, as well.
Please find the configuration for the 4x4 bellows matte box:
- MB413B-2 (4x4 matte box) price: USD 395.00
- ARR1385 (rubber adapter ring) price: USD 10.00
- AR85-72 (conical ring) price: USD 35.00
- RS-15IIM (15mm rods support) price: USD 190.00
- RSPC (plate) price: USD 28.00
- MBF-5P (french flag) price: USD 50.00
- RS15HD (dual handgrips) price: USD 89.00 - optional
- HCM4 (protection case) price: USD 10.00
**All our prices are listed retail in US Dollars and FOB Vancouver, Canada.
Dan Diaconu September 14th, 2005, 07:08 PM http://www.cinematography.net/Pages%20DW/Follow_Focus_Units.htm
Joseph Ivey September 15th, 2005, 01:23 PM are there any matte boxes that work in both 16:9 and 4:3 for both a manual 16x lens and a 3x lens that are not simply clamped on to the front of the camera? If not, what is my closest option? I just have a weird thing about clamping stuff to a $5,000 camera. I would just as soon use support bars (since it will have a follow focus anyway.
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