Digital Video - August 2008 - (Page 22)

INSTANT EXPERT BY NED SOLTZ MATTEBOX MATTERS IT’S ALL ABOUT CONTROLLING THE LIGHT ITEM/ CONTACT COMPANY MSRP WHAT IT IS SPECS Geardear Geardear Large Package www.geardear.com $360 Three stages, one rotating; 4x4 and 4x5.65. Modular design to add or remove stages. Made of heavy plastic, it disassembles for transport, fits tightly to avoid light leaks and holds filters nicely. Granted, my Petroff feels more precise, but this costs less. Will admirably do the job for all small-camera users. Rotating stage rotates 360 degrees, important for using polarizing filters. Modular with ability to add additional stages as well as numerous light control and follow focus accessories. Models for just about any small or large camera. Chrosziel is an industry standard made with extreme precision. Operation is smooth and inserting/removing filters is easy. Start small and expand the system. Must be rod-mounted. This product is made and marketed in Europe as Vocus matteboxes. Solid performers at a price point slightly less than other European gear. Excellent range of add-on accessories as well as mounts for specific cameras. Century also offers clip-on sunshades or clip-on small matteboxes for one non-rotating filter. Birns & Sawyer offers this basic mattebox that can be expanded with accessories. Includes 82mm step-down ring. Works with lens diameters from 70105mm, making this an excellent choice for a shooter who has both large and small cameras yet only wishes one mattebox. Rails and mount are extra, as you definitely would not want to hang the MB-105 directly on a lens. Cavision makes a solid product at a bargain price point. With rails, a baseplace and barndoors/French flags, a system might run $1,200-$1,400. Suitable for the smaller DV or HD cameras and an excellent bargain. Can accept up to 4x5.65 filters. Specific configurations for various cameras. Must add rails. Cavision also makes products ranging from clip-on shades to 6x6 matteboxes. Available only as a clip-on mattebox. Fits cameras with lens diameter from 4382mm and is one of the best bargains to be found. Includes French flag. I would not hang three heavy glass filters on the end of my lens, but the unit is lightweight and could certainly more than adequately do the job for light control and a polarizer. Don’t overlook this one. A Petroff mattebox decked out with rails, French flag, barndoors and a follow focus could run over $3,000. This is clearly a sturdy, professional choice made with extreme precision. Add or subtract modules, add or remove filters with ease. Wide range of lens mounts and matteboxes available for any small or large camera. I’ve been pleased with my own use of a Petroff. 450 Series Kits Chrosziel $1,699 and up Two rotating 4x4 stages. www.chrosziel.com DS-MB44 Series Century Precision $1,075 and up Optics Two-stage with one rotating stage and up to 4x5.65 filters. www.schneideroptics.com MB-105 Birns & Sawyer $695 Two filter stages with 4x5.65 filter holders. www.birnsandsawyer.com MB45 Series Cavision $499 and up One stationary, one rotating 4x4 holder. www.cavision.com FM-600 Formatt $349 Two fixed 4x4 and one rotating stage. www.formatt.co.uk P442 Petroff $1,295 and up 4x4 to 4x5.65 with each stage able to rotate. www.petroff.ws FilterFlex Tiffen $975 Two stages standard; optional third. www.tiffenfilters.com.au It would be expected for one of the primary manufacturers of glass filters also to offer a mattebox. This product clamps directly to your lens — no bulky support rails. Square or rectangular, 4"-wide filters (4x4, 4x5, 4x5.650, 4x6). Filter stages rotate 360 degrees independently. GCMBFF-82 Genus $795-$969 One fixed, one rotating stage. www.genustech.tv An excellent value for all-metal mattebox. Price includes rails and baseplate. Smaller than the larger (and more expensive) models, the Genus range of matteboxes will provide adequate light control while accomplishing the primary objective of holding filters securely. Yet another small-manufacturer product. Made of aluminum, promises the ability to make all kinds of prcecise adjustments for the exact mounting of the mattebox and adjustments of filter positions. It is yet another of those products for filmmakers made by a filmmaker who knows what shooters need. (Let’s hear it for the innovaton of the small guy!) X Matte Hyson Films $599 Up to three stages; includes rails and plate. www.hysonfilms.com 22 dv august 2008 www.dv.com http://www.geardear.com http://www.chrosziel.com http://www.schneideroptics.com http://www.birnsandsawyer.com http://www.cavision.com http://www.formatt.co.uk http://www.petroff.ws http://www.tiffenfilters.com.au http://www.genustech.tv http://www.hysonfilms.com http://www.dv.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Digital Video - August 2008

Digital Video - August 2008 Contents DV Update My Studio Close-Up Wristshot HV30 Camcorder Tiffen DFX Bench Test PCM-D50 & R-09HR Recorders Camera Cradle Instant Expert My Passport Elite High School Confidential The Ultimate DIY Raid DV101 Click to Play Production Diary

Digital Video - August 2008

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