Matte boxes, where to get? at DVinfo.net

Leo Mandy · October 15th, 2005, 08:33 AM

I am in the process of building a set of rails for my camera and would love to get a hold of a matte box - trouble is, I think everyone and their aunt is trying to get a hold of matte boxes. Has anyone seen them at a reasonable used price?

Ben Winter · October 15th, 2005, 06:01 PM

I think it's disgusting how they cost so much. Even $400+ for a lousy bunch of metal flaps with hinges? Is there some expensive hard-to-produce technology about matte boxes I'm missing here?

Leo Mandy · October 16th, 2005, 10:58 AM

Yeah Ben, it really bums me out how expensive they are - must be for a reason though. I have a set of rails from a bellows that I might use but juryrigging the matte flaps is going to be difficult so I think I will have to buy something. I know they had a FoamCore tutorial on how to make a matte box for the DVX - if I can find it I will post the link - but I wanted a matte box with aluminum because it would support the lens alot better, but who knows!?

BTW - Ben you video on 'common sense' was great. I found it extremely funny.

Leo Mandy · October 16th, 2005, 11:12 AM

Here are a couple of DIY jobs :

http://www.moorefilms.com/loser.htm
http://www.desktopcreations.com.mt/dtc_shade/

and
http://www.dvxuser.com/V3/archive/in...p/t-18985.html
For the templates.

Leo Mandy · October 25th, 2005, 06:57 PM

Ben,

Did you ever find a source for cheaper matte boxes?

Ben Winter · October 25th, 2005, 07:03 PM

Nope. No such thing apparently.

However...

My school got new lights so I'm taking the barn doors off of the old ones and using them. Hehe. I'll let you know how it works.

Colvin Eccleston · October 26th, 2005, 01:23 AM

I made 1 from 2 sheets of plastic bought in a model kit shop. Cost £3, £2 for glue and 10 minutes to measure. Fixed on with velcro dots.

Leo Mandy · October 26th, 2005, 11:01 AM

I was thinking more along the lines of matte box with rails set-up, so you can adjust the focus with more stability.

October 15th, 2005, 08:33 AM	#1
Leo Mandy Major Player Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 749	Matte boxes, where to get? I am in the process of building a set of rails for my camera and would love to get a hold of a matte box - trouble is, I think everyone and their aunt is trying to get a hold of matte boxes. Has anyone seen them at a reasonable used price?

October 15th, 2005, 06:01 PM	#2
Ben Winter Trustee Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 1,675 Images: 1	I think it's disgusting how they cost so much. Even $400+ for a lousy bunch of metal flaps with hinges? Is there some expensive hard-to-produce technology about matte boxes I'm missing here? __________________ BenWinter.com

October 25th, 2005, 07:03 PM	#6
Ben Winter Trustee Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 1,675 Images: 1	Nope. No such thing apparently. However... My school got new lights so I'm taking the barn doors off of the old ones and using them. Hehe. I'll let you know how it works. __________________ BenWinter.com

October 16th, 2005, 10:58 AM	#3
Leo Mandy Major Player Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 749	Yeah Ben, it really bums me out how expensive they are - must be for a reason though. I have a set of rails from a bellows that I might use but juryrigging the matte flaps is going to be difficult so I think I will have to buy something. I know they had a FoamCore tutorial on how to make a matte box for the DVX - if I can find it I will post the link - but I wanted a matte box with aluminum because it would support the lens alot better, but who knows!? BTW - Ben you video on 'common sense' was great. I found it extremely funny.

October 16th, 2005, 11:12 AM	#4
Leo Mandy Major Player Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 749	Here are a couple of DIY jobs : http://www.moorefilms.com/loser.htm http://www.desktopcreations.com.mt/dtc_shade/ and http://www.dvxuser.com/V3/archive/in...p/t-18985.html For the templates.

October 25th, 2005, 06:57 PM	#5
Leo Mandy Major Player Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 749	Ben, Did you ever find a source for cheaper matte boxes?

October 26th, 2005, 01:23 AM	#7
Colvin Eccleston Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 93	I made 1 from 2 sheets of plastic bought in a model kit shop. Cost £3, £2 for glue and 10 minutes to measure. Fixed on with velcro dots.

October 26th, 2005, 11:01 AM	#8
Leo Mandy Major Player Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 749	I was thinking more along the lines of matte box with rails set-up, so you can adjust the focus with more stability.