matte box & filters at DVinfo.net

Paul Mailath · October 22nd, 2007, 10:23 PM

I'm waiting on the Letus Extreme to land on my doorstep and wondering if I now need to buy some ND filters and suitable mattebox.

As I understand it, there's no point in using the ND filter in the camera (XH-A1) if I'm using a 35mm adaptor.

What other filters are people using?
Are they screw on or 4x4?

Steven Dempsey · October 23rd, 2007, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Mailath

As I understand it, there's no point in using the ND filter in the camera (XH-A1) if I'm using a 35mm adaptor.

Actually that is true of many other adapters but with Letus adapters, you can very effectively use the camera's built in ND filters.

Dennis Wood · October 23rd, 2007, 02:10 AM

There are a few schools of thought on the topic, but once you've played a bit with lens flare, and seen the contrast hit that lens hazing causes, a mattebox and 4x4 filters are hard to beat. Built in ND filters work great to cut exposure, keeping shutter speed and aperture in desired ranges, but they don't prevent non-image forming light from causing issues with your optics out front. A graduated ND filter as well as a polarizer are two extremely useful filters that not only cut exposure a few stops, but also improve image quality outdoors. For example, a graduated ND can be adjusted in the stage to cut 2 stops in a bright sky, but leave the lower half (ground) unaffected. If you point your adapter/lens beneath a lamp so the light is just out of view, try shading the lens surface with your hand for a very visual example of lens hazing and contrast loss. The mattebox shades will stop this, and are a win-win when it comes to image quality.

Once you start using one, you'll never leave home without it. End of "I love using matteboxes" post :-)

Paul Mailath · October 26th, 2007, 06:23 PM

Thanks guys

(sigh) another addition to the wishlist - does it ever end?

Malcolm Ong · October 28th, 2007, 03:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Mailath

Thanks guys

(sigh) another addition to the wishlist - does it ever end?

Nah. It never does

October 22nd, 2007, 10:23 PM	#1
Paul Mailath Trustee Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Central Coast - NSW, Australia Posts: 1,610	matte box & filters I'm waiting on the Letus Extreme to land on my doorstep and wondering if I now need to buy some ND filters and suitable mattebox. As I understand it, there's no point in using the ND filter in the camera (XH-A1) if I'm using a 35mm adaptor. What other filters are people using? Are they screw on or 4x4? __________________ Cheers - Paul M. www.perbenyik.com

October 26th, 2007, 06:23 PM	#4
Paul Mailath Trustee Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Central Coast - NSW, Australia Posts: 1,610	Thanks guys (sigh) another addition to the wishlist - does it ever end? __________________ Cheers - Paul M. www.perbenyik.com

October 23rd, 2007, 02:10 AM	#3
Dennis Wood Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 916	There are a few schools of thought on the topic, but once you've played a bit with lens flare, and seen the contrast hit that lens hazing causes, a mattebox and 4x4 filters are hard to beat. Built in ND filters work great to cut exposure, keeping shutter speed and aperture in desired ranges, but they don't prevent non-image forming light from causing issues with your optics out front. A graduated ND filter as well as a polarizer are two extremely useful filters that not only cut exposure a few stops, but also improve image quality outdoors. For example, a graduated ND can be adjusted in the stage to cut 2 stops in a bright sky, but leave the lower half (ground) unaffected. If you point your adapter/lens beneath a lamp so the light is just out of view, try shading the lens surface with your hand for a very visual example of lens hazing and contrast loss. The mattebox shades will stop this, and are a win-win when it comes to image quality. Once you start using one, you'll never leave home without it. End of "I love using matteboxes" post :-)