I know the FX1 has been available only for a short time, but does anyone know if any of the available matteboxes compatible with these new cams?

It seems that the mic placement may hinder sliding and rotating functions of many matteboxes, but I'm looking for someone with first hand knowledge.

Thanks.

-Tim

I have yet to find a 4x4 matte box that is useable with my FX1. My petroff won't fit at all, chrosiels won't fit either. A have been able to squeeze a vocas matte box undet the mic but you can't rotate the filter trays and you have to use them either sideways or upsidedown so not much good for use with grads. You can use a cokin P series filter holder.

<<<-- Originally posted by Al Chapman : I have yet to find a 4x4 matte box that is useable with my FX1. My petroff won't fit at all, chrosiels won't fit either. A have been able to squeeze a vocas matte box undet the mic but you can't rotate the filter trays and you have to use them either sideways or upsidedown so not much good for use with grads. You can use a cokin P series filter holder. -->>>


Can you use circular filters for grad or pola purposes?

What shade can you use if you put a Cokin P holder?


Carlos

Stubborn as I am, I keep looking for a likely way to use a mattebox on the FX1, with all its functions.

Perhaps this one can do:

http://www.cavision.com/SonyHDRFX1.htm



Carlos

Thats a very good question. Has anyone had any experience with the Century Optics Mattbox? That was what I was thinking of, but I think the mic will get in the way. (why did they have to do that?)

I don't think the Century will fit, but it is the nicest one that I've ever worked with. I kind of like the 'look' of the CAVISION matte box - it really lends a 'movie camera' style - but function is much more important than form.

I wonder how useful a handgrip would be if it didnt have a record trigger. Seems awkward to use if it doesnt have a LANC control on the grip.

I agree - what would be the purpose if it didn't have LANC? OK, hold the camera steady by the new handle, and ask a friend to turn that really nice manual zoom ring.

If anyone is using an FX1 with a matte box today, I'd like to know about their experiences/success/failure.


=====
One more note for CARLOS MARTINEZ - I tried to email you, but you blocked your address.

I lived in Rio for 3 years - a long time ago, my address there was 211 Barao de Jaguaripe, Ipanema. I Lived 2 blocks from Clube dos Caicaras and was a member there as well. Drop me a note - would love to someday use Rio, more specifically, Ipanema / Leblon as a location. (if I can get my HDTV Studio Project off the ground!)

billrock_us@yahoo.com
or
william.piedra@msanswers.com

<<<-- Originally posted by Bill Piedra :
One more note for CARLOS MARTINEZ - I tried to email you, but you blocked your address.
-->>>

Sorry, I am trying to change that setting but I don't know how. Can anyone guide me on that?

To Bill: I will e-mail you later on. Will tell you about my projects and maybe we can gather forces.


Carlos

How about the Century Optics Mattebox? Does anyone have any experience with that one?

Can the mic be removed? Seems to me if you are wanting to spend the coin on the production value a matte box provides, you are also planning on recording audio with an external mic/mixer setup.

Removing the onboard mic would be the first thing I do.

It doesn't look like it can be removed, and I would be using and external XLR mic

There's also a shoe connector just above the mic.

We should have to wait until someone starts to do small mods to the camera, like:

1) Removing the mics

2) Hacking the NTSC & PAL setting.


Carlos

Gentleman,

Please let me introduce myself;
Bas Ladru, from Vocas the manufacturer of the Century matteboxes.

In the states our DV matteboxes are mainly sold under the Century brand, and in the rest of the world under our own brand.

Our matteboxes do fit on the Sony HDV's!
There is one small problem, the T shaped handle of the filter frame interferes with the microphone, but this can be solved to use the frames upside down.
At the moment we are working very hard to produce a new filter frame with a shorter handle, which allows the frame to be used as normal.
These new frames will be available in the first or second week of January.
By that time we will also have a 15mm rail support available for this camera.
Please check out our website in one or two weeks.
www.vocas.com

Please do not hesitate to ask any questions about matteboxes.

Regards,

Bas Ladru

Thanks for the information Bas. I was considering the purchase of a Century Matte Box for my FX1. Will it work as a clamp on until the rail system comes out?

Dear Bill,

Yes, the mattebox works as clip-on on this camera.
You can always add any accesory later, like the new FX1 support.
The new support will be available next week. The special FX1 filterframes most likely also.

The compact mattebox works fine on the FX1. If you plan on buying a wide-angle converter later on (for example the Century one), you will need the wide angle version of our DV mattebox.

Regards, Bas

<<<-- Originally posted by Bill Piedra : Thanks for the information Bas. I was considering the purchase of a Century Matte Box for my FX1. Will it work as a clamp on until the rail system comes out? -->>>

Any update?

Dave

Yes,

Our mattebox system fully supports the FX1.
Both as clip-on and with rail support.
Everything is available.
Please see our website www.vocas.com

We have also made ready to use kits, please click at "choose your camer" at the fitchart.

Regards,

Hey Bas, two things:

1) I had a really hard time finding that "Choose your camera" pull down. You might want to place that in a better spot!

2) No prices! Can you give a ballpark price?

Thanks

Dear Christopher,

The prices vary in different countrys.
Please contact you local dealer for more information.
Click on the "where to buy" button at our website.

Regards,

Bas Ladru
Vocas

<<<-- Originally posted by Christopher C. Murphy : Hey Bas, two things:

1) I had a really hard time finding that "Choose your camera" pull down. You might want to place that in a better spot!

2) No prices! Can you give a ballpark price?

Thanks -->>>

Bas,

The trouble I had was when I choose the USA there's only one vendor and their website isn't very good either about pricing.

I'd love to order your product, but boy I'm having a hard time figuring out how to do it.

We have two agents in the states;
Century Precision Optics (http://www.centuryoptics.com/)
and Prosource (http://www.prosourcebmi.com/).

I think the best thing to do, is to call them about pricing.

Best regards,

Bas Ladru
Vocas Systems B.V.

<<<-- Originally posted by Bryan McCullough : Bas,

The trouble I had was when I choose the USA there's only one vendor and their website isn't very good either about pricing.

I'd love to order your product, but boy I'm having a hard time figuring out how to do it. -->>>

Does anyone know where I can get side flags for the Century optics matte box? I saw a picture of them once.

Hey, guys


What's the problem with the Vocas price list? It's here:

http://www.prosourcebmi.com/pdf/Shade_FX.pdf


Carlos

What about this setup?

http://www.cavision.com/Image/MB413B2&HDVf-2.jpg

Which, upon review of this thread, is what Carlos suggested back on the first page.

This one seems to be inexpensive enough, if it works.

I was on a project in which we used one of the cavision matteboxes... actually, it was a short I did in college, and our department (which typically focused on ENG style work) didn't have any matteboxes... I was pushing for a Chroziel setup, but the prof was cheap, and wanted the lowest cost solution he could find...

Anyways, all that to say that I was not pleased with the overall quality of the cavision mattebox. It just didn't seem very well built, and I remember spending a lot of time double checking that all the screws were tight, that the filters were going to stay in, etc. Of course I feel it pertinent to mention that, being the cheap prof he was, we didn't have a rail system and of course it was used on an XL1s, not an FX/Z1

Petroff makes a matte box system for the new Sony Camera. Their one stage system also rotates. A lot of the one stage systems do not. The one stage list around $707 and the two stage $1013. That includes a top flag, filter holders and adapter ring.

http://www.bogenimaging.us/

The Formatt brand can be loaded from the bottom so the mic does not get in the way.

Petroff has a matte box for view at the following location http://www.petroff.ws/Sony_XDR-FX1.jpg
This matte box is designed for this camera and is very user friendly.

Hi all,

I'm seriously looking into the Petroff - can anyone tell me from experience what it's like??

Thanks!