http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=details&kw=FOMBFM500&is=REG&Q=&O=productlist&sku=291205

May work. If you want a Follow Focus as well, you may have a problem since this box mounts on the lens and not on 15mm rods, but I'm not sure.

Anyone?

- Shannon W. Rawls

Ah yes, the Formatt FM-500 4x4. I need to dig through my DV Expo West photos from December, I think I may have actually seen one mounted to an FX1. Seems I recall about three different matte boxes on FX1s at various booths around that show. The Formatt would definitely be one of the most affordable at $300, which is about right for a clamp-on.

This just in.....

Randy Walters found the following at http://www.2filter.com/prices/products/format44.html -

"The Formatt matte box works well with Sony's amazing HDR-FX1 HDV camcorder,
no mike clearance issues, 72mm adapters"

This is the most inexpensive Matte Box solution I have seen @ $293 bucks.

- Shannon W. Rawls

<<<-- Originally posted by Shannon Rawls : This is the most inexpensive Matte Box solution I have seen @ $293 bucks.
-->>>


Except perhaps by this one:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=250086&is=REG



Carlos

I have doubts that Cokin matte box has a rotating filter holder. You also have to buy an adapter and it does not come with any flags.

For the uneduacated, what's the difference with a bellows box and one that isn't?

I tend to prefer the look of a bellows matte box but didn't know if it did anything better or worse that a non-bellows one.

For example, I think this Cavision setup looks pretty sweet:

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

But is there any advantage or disadvantage to a bellows matte?

<<<-- Originally posted by Greg Jacobson : I have doubts that Cokin matte box has a rotating filter holder. You also have to buy an adapter and it does not come with any flags. -->>>


You will also need an adapter ring on the Formatt, which is certainly a very good deal.

About the filter rotating or not, I will have have to see that when I have the Cokin in my hands. My guess is they might.

The flag is usually an accessory on most matte boxes around, which you pay for. What I don't like too much on all of them is that they are fixed, and reflections usually come from weird angles. A small articulate flag should be added to the kit.

A bellows can be better than most matte-boxes. In fact film-camera matte boxes came with a bellows, that took care of the lens reflections. The sunshade was a more practical compromise that came along when zooms became popular.


Carlos

If I wanted something for filmmaking, what would you guys recommend? And this includes follow focus, too. Similar to this DVX100A set up (http://www.zacuto.com/dvx100a.htm) and what was talked about at Sundance.

heath