I know this may have been covered in the Z1 forum, but I was considering a matte box for my Z7. Primarily to use some basic filters, Polariser, ND Grad that sort of thing.

Can anyone recommend a make/model and where to purchase?

Hi Jon

I use the TLS Kestrel it is a pretty good light matte box. Fits fine on the Z1 so should be the same on your Z7. For the money they are hard to beat.

Apparently Cokin has brought out a budget Matte box too, but I've not seen it.

Regards
Gareth

That was quick!

I'll check them out.

What filters do you use?

Hi Jon,

I have a set of Schneider filters 0.9 ND, Polariser, Promist and a Tiffen 0.9 ND grad.

I use the Polariser a lot, and often double it with the ND grad for scenics. These do a great job of evening up the exposure of a landscape shot, and deepening the blues... i love the look it gives. Here's a clip I did in October using both filters.http://www.vimeo.com/2289103

The French flag does a great job of shading the lens, even shooting into the sun, I've never had any flare. It also doubles as a great rain shield as long as you use a mic off camera to avoid the noise of rain hitting the metal...

Cheers
Gareth

That's really useful.

Do you think a matte box and filters are a worthwhile investment or just icing on the cake?

we use a redrock micromattebox, works great. Hard to beat for the price.

I bought a cheapie one from indie kit for £100 and it works fine, I also got some KOOD pro 100 filters on e-bay for less than £15 each.

Are guys using rail supports or is the clip on variety OK?

Mine is on a 72mm adaptor ring that fits on the filter thread.

It is just like this one: WIDE ANGLE MATTE BOX/FRENCH FLAG/LENS RING/FILTER TRAYS on eBay, also, Lenses Filters, Camcorder Accessories, Photography (end time 11-Jan-09 06:56:18 GMT) (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WIDE-ANGLE-MATTE-BOX-FRENCH-FLAG-LENS-RING-FILTER-TRAYS_W0QQitemZ260331402961QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Photography_CamcorderAccess_RL?hash=item26033140296 1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1300%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318)

Quite well made and fine for experimenting, I didnt want to shell out lots of £££ just to use some top gear type grad filters. The Kood filters are very good value too.

Hi Jon
Shooting scenics, landscapes and around water as part of the clips I was doing I felt a polariser at the very least was essential.
Screw on filters are fine, but I've found with still photography you need one for every lens. As video cameras only last a few years, I didn't really want to shell out for new filters each time.
I looked at it as a long term investment. So a matte box seemed the natural choice. Having used it with its French flag for a few years now, I definitely don't feel its just icing. More an integral part in the link of getting better looking shots.
I chose also to use good quality filters to maximise the quality. Why pay decent money for a camera capable of good quality pictures only to ruin it by putting a piece of plastic in front of the lens. Hopefully the filters I only buy once and will be useable on any camera I buy in future.
I use the adapter ring, works fine...
cheers
Gareth

All good stuff on this forum - thanks everyone.

I've been looking around the web since we started this thread and I quite like the look of the Vocas MB-250.

Pro AV have it at a good price

Vocas MB-250 Compact Mattebox - Pro Active (http://www.proav.co.uk/Matte-boxes-&-Lens-Hoods/Clip-On-Use/p18869_sc532.aspx)

I was wondering what you thought of the clip on variety and what sort of filters should I use?