Digital Video - November 2007 - (Page 20) IN REVIEW COOL IN THE SHADE FIGHT LENS FLARES AND ADD FILTRATION WITH A MATTE BOX. BY KENDAL MILLER AND MATTHEW JEPPSEN ly striking the lens and causing unwanted lens flares. Different models allow the addition of top French flags and side flags to further keep light off the lens. Additionally, a matte box allows you to add glass filters to your camera to further control your image (for an explanation of lens filters, see “DV 101” on page 26). You can utilize filters such as neutral density correctors, polarizers, and color enhancers. These filters slip into trays, which then can be dropped into the filter stages of the matte box. In making a decision toward buying a S o you see a big camera rig in a production magazine, and it looks all cool with this huge matte box on the front. You say, “Man, that’s really cool—I have to have one of those things.” But what does it do? At the most basic level, a matte box extends your ability to modify and control light prior to it entering the camera’s lens. A matte box allows you to perform several tasks. First and foremost it allows you to flag and block errant light from direct- matte box, there are several things you’ll want to consider. First is the build quality: is it made of metal, plastic or some sort of composite construction, and how will it hold up in the field? Second, to ensure optimal results, you’ll want to choose either a 4x4 size for a traditional 4x3 aspect ratio camera, or a 4x5.6 for a camera with a 16x9 aspect ratio. Also, you’ll want to ensure that the filter trays used in the matte box will be solid and secure, allowing you to move confidently as a cameraman without fear of damaging your expensive glass filters. So if you find yourself routinely fighting lens flares and wanting to experiment with adding filtration to the front of your camera, you should consider investing in a good-quality matte box to give you an additional layer of control. Besides, they look really cool. CHROSZIEL GMBH’S 450-A MATTE BOX T his full-featured matte box from Chrosziel features one fixed and one rotating stage. The fixed stage accepts 4x5.65 filters, and the tray supports 4x4 filters as well. The rotating stage is designed for the 4x4 size only. A 16:9 snap-in front mask attaches to the front of the shade. Filter trays can be locked in place without tools. With the exception of the plastic shade, this matte box is constructed entirely of metal, including the lens flange. The 450-A clamps to 15mm rods using a single solid metal clamp that locks on both rods. There is no SCORE CHROSZIEL 450-A MATTE BOX PROS: Mostly metal construction, can accept two different filter sizes, entirely tool-less. CONS: No vertical adjustment, only one rotating stage. BOTTOM LINE: The Chrosziel 450-MA is a well-designed and solid choice.. MSRP: $1,895. CONTACT: www.chrosziel.com horizontal or vertical adjustment. (While we did not test this, our unit arrived with a compact rods and base- plate kit designed for the HVX200.) The French flag is lightweight metal and folds in half. The side flags are also metal and expandable. Filter trays are all metal and spring-loaded to grip glass filters. Nicely beveled interior tray edges make loading filters a simple task. Overall, the fit and finish of the Chrosziel 450-A is impressive. It’s equally at home on both simple and complex camera rigs. (Thanks to authorized Chrosziel distributor 16x9, Inc. for providing our demo unit.) www.dv.com 20 dv november 2007 http://www.chrosziel.com http://www.dv.com
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