So I was planning on buying the FS100 with the kit lens and the heliopan ND for it. I was told that the heliopan doesn't have threads on the outside of it. What are some good options for a sun shade? I am going to buy a matte box sooner or later, but that requires more than just a matte box. Also, the stock lens doesn't work to well with one because of the zoom. I do a lot of ENG type work and don't always have time to mess with a matte box or anything like that, so anyone have a good simple option, or is just shading with my hand going to be the best option? Thanks in advance for any advice!

EDIT: Also... if I were to do the matte box option, what should I be looking for? Any opinions on which is the one to go with?

http://www.dvcity.com/dvshop/PROAIM-MB-700-Matte-box-with-dv-rail-system-for-EX3-EX1-5D-MARKII-7D.html - This one was listed at one point. Seems really cheap... which makes me weary.

Ryan,

I'm in the same situation as you. I bought the FS-100 and the Heliopan.
While talking with Heliopan, it appears they are aware that people
want a sunshade and may be working on an option for a snap on sunshade
which will be available later. For my 'run and gun' non matte box
shooting, I went with this sunshade:

Amazon.com: Fotodiox 3-Section Rubber Lens Hood, Sun Shade , 77mm: Camera & Photo

I ordered it last week, and should get it in before too long. It
can extend into 3 different lengths, which is nice if you are shooting
wider angles, you can just collapse it partway. Also, it can give you
access to dial in the fader on the Heliopan. Plus it's cheap. Those
make it a good 'stop gap' solution in my mind.

I have used these rubber hoods in combination with step up rings. It will get into the picture on some really wide lenses, like 11mm , 16mm.

Right now, the only solution I see is to buy a second, exact size match ND fader filter for the wide lenses, to avoid step up rings. Buying a second filter will hurt the pocketbook further if you are buying the high quality versions.

Several issues here.
1) reviews of the kit zoom lens are very discouraging,
2) why do you say a matte-box will not go with the kit lens? Any effective matte-box is supported by rails.
3) why do you need to buy another fader for a wide angle lens, since a non-variable ND is all that's needed for run-n-gun.


In another thread: the Rokinon lenses deserve a look. Remarkably cheap if they are as good as people say. Yes are all primes, but you can work perfectly well with them (OK, changing lenses without an assistant can be tedious in run-n-gun). If I have to choose between a poor zoom and a single good prime, I take the prime (adjust frame by moving feet). A 14mm (f/2.8), 35mm and 85mm (both f/1.4) set would be quite nice (yes, I know, twice the price of the kit lens and that reaches out to 200mm at a max of f/6.3). There are a lot of lenses out there.

A high end option might be: ARRI Group: Lightweight Matte Box LMB-3 (http://www.arri.com/camera/professional_camera_accessories/lightweight_matte_boxes/lightweight_matte_box_lmb_3.html)

These clamp onto the 80mm outside dia of cine lenses, but you can get adapter rings fitted to your lens. Also, without the 80 mm adapter ring the newer 95mm dia cine lenses.
You may be able to pick up a used example, they're well made, so last for years and extremely quick to use. Film documentary camera people used them fitted onto their zoom lenses.

Thanks for the responses.

Serena. I've heard good and bad things about the kit lens. I've heard the picture quality is good, but it's a very slow lens. For a lot of my work, I don't need a fast lens, and when I do, I can use the A-mount primes or the Rokinon which I plan on investing in later. Right now, I just need one lens to do as much as possible. For $600, that lens outclasses any others that I can find in versatility.

I saw a matte box won't go with the kit lens because the lens extends almost double it's length when zoomed. I would have to adjust the matte box after every zoom, which I may not have time for.

Has anyone heard anything about the kit that I posted? Seems like it has it all. Would be nice to get a rod system with the matte box.

I'd get a clip on matte box, it will extend out with the lens because it's mounted onto the lens rather than rails. Of course, the lens construction mightn't be up to this compared to the professional video and cine lenses, but the lighter examples (like the Arri above) aren't heavy. However, this may cost as much as your lens, although I suspect it will last much longer than the lens and can be fitted to many lenses and prove cost effective in the long run.

I haven't invested yet in a higher price fader ND filter, and I was considering something only in the $200 range, obviously you can spend twice that. I just realized one downside of an expensive fader ND is that it would be quite a loss if it gets damaged (low cost UV filters protect expensive lenses). You really need some protection on the front end of a $400 ND fader to protect it. So one that has threads on the front is important feature for an expensive ND.

Serena. I've heard good and bad things about the kit lens. .

Checking later reviews they do read more favourably and I hadn't appreciated that indeed it would be very difficult to use with the usual rail supported matte-box. So my comments need revision.

Does any1 know anything about the rig that I posted in the original post?

PROAIM MB-700 Matte box with dv rail system for EX3 EX1 5D MARKII 7D VX21000 JVC 100U DV DSLR CAMS (http://www.dvcity.com/dvshop/PROAIM-MB-700-Matte-box-with-dv-rail-system-for-EX3-EX1-5D-MARKII-7D.html) (this one)

Sorry to post again, but what are things you want to make sure and have in a matte box / rail system for the FS100? I've never owned one so I don't know what I want to look for and what I want to stay away from. Thanks!

Ryan,

If you have the kit lens the matte box will not work. You need to use a prime lens or a lens with internal focusing and zoom. I don't understand what you are trying to do. Do you have other lens to use? I have this Cavision RS-15IIM Rod Support System for Mini DV RS-15IIM-200 and built off of that. There other post that have nice rigs but the main problem is that you have to have a EVF to use the camera any other way than hand holding. Hope that helps.

Dan

Check out IndiSystems. They have a clamp-on matte box w/ French flag for $99.00. It's called the indiGO-MATTE. Worked for me on the same kit 18-200 lens which was mounted to a NEX-VG10. Very light. I also installed a variable ND filter within the matte box.

indiSYSTEM - Home (http://www.indisystem.com/)


Jr. Pascual
49 Productions

I am looking for something that is adjustable for when I choose different focal lengths on the kit lens, but I also plan on investing in some other fixed focal length lenses as the money comes in. I know that the kit lens extends as it zooms, but I had wanted long enough rails mounted on my tripod where I can adjust the matte box if needed for zoom shots.

Ryan,

I think Junior hit it on the nail for you. Here is a direct link to that matte box indiSYSTEM - indiGO-MATTE (http://www.indisystem.com/products/indigomatte)

Dan

Like I said, the indiGO-MATTE mounts to the end of the lens. The kit I got had a range of ring adapters, 52mm to 77mm, that will enable you to mount the matte box to virtually any lens. You could also buy step-up ring adapters to accommodate the odd-sized lens.

Jr. Pascual
49 Productions

What does one need to look for in a rod system?

Can you pst pics of the Indigo matte - their website shows one horrible picture that is useless - not sure why.

Jon,
I will do one better. Here you go NAB 2011: IndiSystems on Vimeo

Dan

I bought a Vocas DV mattebox years ago, and later bought some side flags and brackets from an Indian outfit, who are I believe the same as Cinecity. It's workable, but it has soft metal sheet, bad paint job and plastic parts instead of the indestructible plastic and alloys that Vocas use.

I means it's laughable really:
mattebox / matte box with rod support (tripod spacer) with side (http://www.dvcity.com/dvshop/mattebox-matte-box-with-rod-support-tripod-spacer-with-side.html)

is a copy of: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/14270310/VOCAS.JPG
Even down to the rubber lens donuts, and the exact design of the base.

Now Vocas have their 250 system, with eyelids and blue metal parts. Cinecity have copied this too.
Only they don't have the skill to ripoff the eyelids it seems.

P.S. I don't have any connection to Vocas, just miffed at seeing a good manufacturers ideas stolen. I understand why people think some matteboxes are stupid money, but don't support these thieves try Vocas or True Lens Service matteboxes. I've got more Vocas kit arriving tomorrow too.

Duncan.