Your opinion on follow focus, matte box and LCD monitor at DVinfo.net
DV Info Net

Go Back   DV Info Net > Canon EOS / MXF / AVCHD / HDV / DV Camera Systems > Canon HDV and DV Camera Systems > Canon XL and GL Series DV Camcorders

Canon XL and GL Series DV Camcorders
Canon XL2 / XL1S / XL1 and GL2 / XM2 / GL1 / XM1.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old September 13th, 2005, 01:30 PM   #1
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Nashville
Posts: 89
Your opinion on follow focus, matte box and LCD monitor

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.
Joseph Ivey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old September 13th, 2005, 03:38 PM   #2
Major Player
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 804
Follow focus suggestion

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.
Dan Diaconu is offline   Reply With Quote
Old September 13th, 2005, 04:19 PM   #3
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Tuckahoe, NY
Posts: 87
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
Travis Andersen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old September 13th, 2005, 04:25 PM   #4
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Nashville
Posts: 89
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.
Joseph Ivey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old September 13th, 2005, 04:30 PM   #5
Major Player
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 804
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.
Dan Diaconu is offline   Reply With Quote
Old September 14th, 2005, 08:18 AM   #6
New Boot
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 8
lcd monitor

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!
Van Berghe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old September 14th, 2005, 06:28 PM   #7
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Nashville
Posts: 89
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.
Joseph Ivey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old September 14th, 2005, 06:39 PM   #8
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Tuckahoe, NY
Posts: 87
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.
Travis Andersen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old September 14th, 2005, 07:08 PM   #9
Major Player
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 804
FF opinions

http://www.cinematography.net/Pages%...ocus_Units.htm
Dan Diaconu is offline   Reply With Quote
Old September 15th, 2005, 01:23 PM   #10
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Nashville
Posts: 89
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.
Joseph Ivey is offline   Reply
Reply

DV Info Net refers all where-to-buy and where-to-rent questions exclusively to these trusted full line dealers and rental houses...

B&H Photo Video
(866) 521-7381
New York, NY USA

Scan Computers Int. Ltd.
+44 0871-472-4747
Bolton, Lancashire UK


DV Info Net also encourages you to support local businesses and buy from an authorized dealer in your neighborhood.
  You are here: DV Info Net > Canon EOS / MXF / AVCHD / HDV / DV Camera Systems > Canon HDV and DV Camera Systems > Canon XL and GL Series DV Camcorders

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

 



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:25 AM.


DV Info Net -- Real Names, Real People, Real Info!
1998-2024 The Digital Video Information Network