I've got two on my list:

Matte boxes, and follow focus systems.

I congradulate Dan on producing a great FF for a good price, but nobody's managed to machine a good-quality matte box (aluminum or what have you) for under $300. Anyone have anything to add to the list? I think we've crossed off "35mm adapter" :)

Yeah, you are right about that.
We need to start working on some other projects that are beneficial to all Indie movie makers.

If you have any sketch/info on this, I will talk to a machine shop to see if they can do it. I wonder if how many people interested on buying this at under $300?

Quyen

Quyen, If you can machine a matte box with french flags preferably rod-mounted for around $200, I'd buy it without thinking. $300 would make me mull it over for a really long time. I'll see if I can find you any information, but I do know that 16:9 would be preferrable.

I wonder if how many people interested on buying this at under $300?

Quyen
consider this post my pre-order.

I've got two on my list:

Matte boxes, and follow focus systems.

I congradulate Dan on producing a great FF for a good price, but nobody's managed to machine a good-quality matte box (aluminum or what have you) for under $300.

Well, there is Formatt in UK here (http://www.formatt.co.uk/dvt/default.asp), with a lens-mounted Matte box for around 100 GBP (c.170 USD). Opinions vary as to its pros and cons, but at that price, it's got to be one of the best value.

These come up on eBay regularly around that price.

Before you go ahead and start building on your own “god knows what” just for the sake of cheap prices, check with me, please. I have been looking at matte boxes for some time and I might have a good idea what should be there and what not.

Specifically for SLR lenses but good for plain camcorders as well (keeping in mind the more and more popular 16:9 ratio).

Design for a percentage of the revenue. Plain and simple.

Look at "other interpretations" of the real things from big companies on the market. Cheaper than anything else. Good? You know better, and if you don't you'll learn paying. I have my hands full with FF, no time for MB, but at least, if something comes out of it, I am sure you’ll be happy.

BTW.
If anyone wants to SEE the gears and FF, I made a DVD (intended for customers only).
I can send it to you, so you know what to expect up front if you will need a FF ( and not just for the lower price).
Pay Pal me $5 (to cover the DVD, Pay Pal commission and postage) and decide for yourselves.

$200 for a decent (not even talking good here) matte box is not a realistic price. We all want more affordable gear, but asking for quality at ridiculously low prices is just that, ridiculous. Just my opinion.

Finally........ words of wisdom!

I think $200-$300 is reasonable for a dumb bent piece of metal. I know you guys want rotating filter holders or whatnot, but all I want is the shade and the french flags with two holes in the bottom for rods. Get any higher and you might as well buy the Formatt FM 500.

Matte box and Follow focus for under $300 and I'll buy two.
:) jimi

Matte box and Follow focus for under $300 and I'll buy two.
:) jimi

Haha, agreed.

How about camera jibs and cranes? I know there are lots of DIY plans floating around, but something more professional and sturdy would be really interesting. Most of the really good mid-range jibs (Jimmy Jib Lite $2700+, Porta-Jib $2700+, EZFX $1200+, etc.) seem to be way overpriced and require a number of expensive accessories to be truly useful.

Cranes are easy to build, but very difficult to get just right. It is like Dan said, you can build all of these things at home cheaply, but if you want it perfect (and one with servos, tilting mechanisms etc) - it takes alot of time and effort (r & d) and therefore the person will not sell it very cheaply. But having said that, cranes for shots require about $50-100 worth of material for the aluminum, pulleys, tripod, wire, L bracket etc.
Most importantly is trying to do these things yourself. Like Oscar said, information should be freely available and that info should really enable us! Try it FIRST yourself, then seek another method if you can't do it.

cranes for shots require about $50-100 worth of material for the aluminum, pulleys, tripod, wire, L bracket etc
While all the elements in a human body are worth about $7-8. Some price to pay.. hey?

I was going to make a joke about how unless you are REALLY good in the shop, it will take you more effort to reproduce a jib than yourself...

however, I will refrain

LOL...........................
Quite true......
but then again, if "Mother Lathy" and "Aunt Milly", receive the "blessing" from an "HAL9000 computer" (CNC) they’d do well too..(while humans can carry on with.... regular business)lol

A matte box isn't a "bent piece of metal" - some of the boxes out there are quite flimsy and overpriced for what they are, but a nice Chrosziel f'r instance... it's a really well made precision piece of kit - fine tolerances - well machined and made from numerous materials.

If you want a cheap matte box - look at

http://stores.ebay.com.au/This-Is-Not-A-Toy_W0QQsspagenameZL2QQtZkm

"This is not a Toy" sells matte boxes, skateboard dolly kits etc for quite low prices - not as cheap as you might make them yourself - but pretty cheap none the less.

Anyway - if you look at a good matte box / follow focus, and think what the *world market* is for these things, the prices ain't too bad, considering the expertise that goes into them. Sure the Arri FF units are waaaaay expensive - likewise for matteboxes - but a good box with adjustable side wings and a flag is really a very well made and specific thing.

-j

next time you visit bhphoto's web site , do a search for Sailwind;

their Pro Vignetta Bellows is so cost effective - with rack and pinion focusing rail and takes up to two 3x3 filters and magnetic mattes as well

Does anyone else get scared by magnetic mattes?

3 x 3 filters are not too hot for widescreen cameras :-)

Works great for me, since GL2s just crop the 4:3 image natively. Thanks!

Sry for the double post, but let's say I buy the sailwind bellows...what kind of adapter ring do I need to attach it to the front of my Canon FD lens? Hasselblad? 52mm? Heeeelp!

Ben,
You may start with one lens (or you may have more than one!) but attaching "that" straight to the lens may not be the best solution. First is weight and second, you may want to change the lens during shooting. Hence the different front sizes...

The whole "idea" of a MB is convenience and the ability to use the same filters on different lenses. I do not know if they provide a "rods support" but I was looking at it and I think it would be good to have one (for this sailwind or another). I have the rods mount and have to "sort it out" for myself as well. I have not yet decided for a MB. I would prefer to have them made for me (as I think they should be made) and this will take about two months. (I'll make more than one this time). If you have a rods support for your camera/adapter (whatever the brand) I am sure you will benefit having the MB mounted on the rods. Email me if you need help with the rods mount for sailwind.

Ben,

You need a XXmm to Series 8 adapter ring, where XXmm is your cam filter size, but as Dan says for different lenses you would need a rods support system so the Sailwind could be mounted - easy enough since the rack and pinion system that the bellows uses could be drilled to accept and attach a two hole rod plate.

I use the Pro Vignetta and it is well made and I much prefer the bellows look as a light baffle.

Thanks John,
One thing I forgot to mention: whether you zoom-in or out (camcorder) or you change primes, different focals need different shading. A fixed MB will be good for wide (only) or otherwise will cut in the frame at wide angle. If that's the case, for other lenses you'll need French flags and sides and so on. Why bother? The bellows ARE the only ones to do for all lenses and zoom positions. Period.

I forgot to mention I bought the Cavision rod system about a month ago, so yes I do have that. So Series 8 is basically what I need? thanks.