I'm going to buy me a mattebox, with follow focus (if I can afford, why does matteboxes cost like a better prosumer HDV camera?). Do you have any suggestions or experience in the mattebox business?

I've got this system on order for my XLH1

http://www.dvinfo.net/gallery/showimage.php?i=418&c=31

Ah yes, the Chrosziel. Top of the line. Can't wait to hear how you much like that thing when you get it.

Impressive! But why on earth does this Chrosziel-seup cost almost half again as much as the camcorder? It's really not all that sophisticated, right? Are there any more economical solutions that work well? Any insights would be appreciated!

I know, I've got so many filters I can't use right now, ND Grad, promist, NDs...it's back ordered. I think they are expecting to get them in around October of 2010

LOL

I don't know where you are getting your prices from but there is a package deal you can get for around $1500 from B&H or ZGC

$1500 sounds about right for a Chrosziel kit.

I don't know where you are getting your prices from but there is a package deal you can get for around $1500 from B&H or ZGC

Then that's without supports and follow-focus, right? I mean it can't cost more than a few hundred bucks to make this stuff. Obscene pricing, IMO.

No, that's the whole deal including follow focus and support rods.

I bought my iris rods, baseplate, Chrosziel matte box, side flags and follow focus unit from Birns & Sawyer in downtown Hollywood.

I love it. It's well built. Two stage. And it makes the rig look quite sexy.

We have the Chrosziel Matte Box and Follow Focus rig and recommend it highly. Once you assemble it onto the H1, a simple turn of 2 levers at the base of the rods and you pull the whole assembled MatteBox & Follow-Focus rig off the camera for storage/travel/or change of lenses/adapters/converters.

It is just as simple to reinstall the MatteBox/Follow Focus - takes 10 secs.

I compare this to our Century brand MatteBoxes for DSR cameras which require partial disassembly and more time to R&R on the camera. Both the Century and the Chrosziel are well made - just that the Chrosziel is easier to work with.

PS - we had to wait a couple weeks for the Chrosziel after ordering at NAB.
You might try Band Pro in LA for stock...

John Richard
www.LightPrism.TV

I don't know whether it's cool to post a link but here is what I'm talking about:

http://www.zgc.com/zgc.nsf/c7a682995edb4e7585256b4d001ebd57/C37FD064C36816B0852570C900669A0F

No, that's the whole deal including follow focus and support rods.

Then what's included in the B&H kit for $ 3,099.95 here?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=430711&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

No details available, unfortunately, and Chrosziel doesn't list this P/N at their site, either...

I don't know whether it's cool to post a link but here is what I'm talking about:

http://www.zgc.com/zgc.nsf/c7a682995edb4e7585256b4d001ebd57/C37FD064C36816B0852570C900669A0F

That's pretty much my rig. I was very happy with it. The follow focus was better suited for the 16x manual lens than the 20x or 3x. But my AC said he still preferred to use the follow focus on the 20x because he didn't want to put his hands too much on the camera during a shot (particularly dolly shots).

Then what's included in the B&H kit for $ 3,099.95 here?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=430711&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

No details available, unfortunately, and Chrosziel doesn't list this P/N at their site, either...

Considering the price I would assume the kit comes with the matte box, flags, adapter ring and follow focus unit. Not sure about the base plate and iris rods.

I don't know whether it's cool to post a link but here is what I'm talking about:

http://www.zgc.com/zgc.nsf/c7a682995edb4e7585256b4d001ebd57/C37FD064C36816B0852570C900669A0F

Thanks, that makes it clearer - it's w/o follow focus. Quite costly, methinks...

It's always cool to link to ZGC, one of our highly valued DV Info Net sponsors.

Oops Jonas, my mistake on the price...sorry about that.

It's totally OK Steven...

But I think the price for matteboxes are just insane; 3 000 bucks for a shade, two rods and a gear? Must be the "movie business exponent" on this gear as for everything else you'll need. Does anyone tried the Vocas matteboxes? I think it's same as Century.

and.. do I need followfocus, everything is in focus anyway with 20x stock lens ;-)

and.. do I need followfocus, everything is in focus anyway with 20x stock lens ;-)

Don't get me started :)

But I think the price for matteboxes are just insane

No doubt low volume is a major factor.

Best,
Christopher

Yes it may be so...

But have anyone tried Cavision or Vocas or something else. Not that I'm against Chrosziel, but I would like to compare when I'm doing this kind of a huge investment...

yes, I have the 4x4 bellows mattebox for my DVX100A and it's great. Cavision doesn't have anything made specifically for the XLH1 yet but I believe they are planning on it.

Here's a lower cost alternative that you're going to hear a lot more about pretty soon on DV Info Net:

http://www.indiesnap.com/

Actually they have, this picture is from Cavisons site...

And what do you think about this follow focus http://indifocus.com/index.html

Maybe I should rename this thread to include follow focus...
What about this one... from my buddy Karl Horn at CineTech.
Yeah it's on an XL2 here but obviously it fits an XL H1 as well.

Carl's matte box and follow focus work very nicely on the H1. I actually shot this image for Carl's new web site.
Barry

Looks nice, so where can I find Carl..?

Karl Horn's site is located at http://www.cinetechonline.com/ (nice work, Barry!)

Nice but it doesn't seem any cheaper than the Chrosziel at the end of the day.

Nice but it doesn't seem any cheaper than the Chrosziel at the end of the day.It ain't! Karl is firmly entrenched in the Hollywood film world, with prices to match.

He's a great guy, though, and it is definitely high-quality gear that he makes.

When I have bought the mattebox, which filter is must have? Do you you any favorites in filters? Graded ND, Coral or maybe Tokyo Blue! Any of your filters which stays on your XL H1 more then others?

Man, that's a loaded question. That's like asking someone how long is a piece of string.

Basically, it comes down to the major question of what are you going to be shooting? You could get all types of advice on filtration for optimal landscape shots but if that's not your focus then it's useless information

Some common filters include:

ND FILTERS:
Either .3 or .6 or .9 (1,2,3 stops respectively). If you are interested in achieving maximum shallow depth of field within the capabilities of the camera, these are a good choice. They will force you to open the iris more, allowing you to creatively focus on your subject when shooting medium to closeup shots. They will also help you keep the aperture at a sweet spot in terms of sharpness if you are shooting a bright light source. Closing the iris down tends to soften the picture and NDs help to alleviate that problem.

GRADUATED ND FILTERS:
If you are shooting vistas, this is a great addition to your tool kit. These filters allow you to bring the contrast ratio between land and sky more into the range of what the camera can see. It will also allow you got get some pretty dramatic skies with plenty of cloud detail.

UV FILTER:
Buy one now and keep it on your lens if you don't already have one. Essentially, this is just a clear glass filter that protects your lens from the harmful UV rays from the sun but it also acts as a protection against scratches, etc. on your actual lens.

PROMIST/CLASSIC SOFT FILTERS:
These filters have the same effect as soft focus. Remember the women that Captain Kirk falls in love with on the original Star Trek? The DP would simulate that misty-eyed love struck moment by giving both Kirk and his love interest (particularly the latter) an exaggerated soft focus. These filters can also be used to hide skin blemishes and take the overall video harsh sharpness out of the picture. Summary: they soften the picture in a pretty way.

COLOR/SPECIAL EFFECTS FILTERS:
I personally stay away from these because I'm paranoid about getting a great shot and realizing that the effect ruins it because the effect is too much. I usually can achieve the same overall effect in post. There are many good uses for these kinds of filters but I would keep their use to a minimum. The novelty wears off very quickly for the viewer.

The exception to this is if you are shooting black and white. Many of these color filters (yellow, in particular) help to enhance contrast in your shots and make the black and white rendering much richer. There's plenty of info on the Web about creative black and white photography.

CIRCULAR POLARIZER:
Generally used to enhance the blue of a sky and make the clouds pop but it is also used to minimize reflections on windows and in water. In fact, a good quality polarizer can be very effective at removing unwanted reflections say if you are shooting through a car window, etc.

There are many more but that's all I can think of off the top of my head. Figure out what you are going to shoot and then determine what filters would work for you in your particular situation. 72mm circular filters that screw right on the front of the lens are much cheaper than 4x4 filters that fit in a mattebox but I don't recommend stacking a lot of filters directly on the lens.

Take a look at Tiffen's and Schneider's sites, they give good descriptions and some examples of how these filters work.

Thanks Steven! I read'n'learn! /J

Hey Jonas,

I have been using the vocas matte box and follow focus, cheaper than the chrosz' set up and in my opinion, having rented the chrosz', just as good.

http://www.vocas.com/

http://www.creativevideo.co.uk/public/view_item_cat.php?catalogue_number=vocas_kit-f2

http://www.creativevideo.co.uk/public/view_item_cat.php?catalogue_number=vocas_mfc-1


I managed to get a great discounted deal on buying both, it works like a treat, a lot tougher than the granite rock somebody dropped it on! not a mark in sight! and fits/removes in seconds.

i hear the http://indifocus.com/index.html is the bizz as well!

plenty options!

regards
steve

I think going for the Chroschiel clamp on - as seen at http://www.16x9inc.com/cgibin/eDatCat/169store.cgi?user_action=detail&catalogno=AC-CANON-XL-H1-SHADE

Red rock will launch a new nice follow focus for about 500 USD - Great - so maybe rods anyway!

This link shows the contents of some Chrosziel's kits for the XL-H1:

http://www.16x9inc.com/cgibin/eDatCat/169store.cgi?user_action=detail&catalogno=AC-CANON-XL-H1-MATTEBOX

As noted previously, B&H's site does not currently list the contents of the kits.

Thanks Dan -- if anybody wants to see that image *really* big, it's right here:

http://www.dvinfo.net/gallery/showimage.php?i=418
and
http://www.dvinfo.net/gallery/showimage.php?i=417

Cool! Just got a call from ZGC, my Chroszeil mattebox and follow focus system finally arrived...will have in a few days...at last I can use some filters!

I'll let you guys know how it is.

I own a Xl H1, and was reading here about matte boxes,
Can anyone explain me just a little bit of what is the reason of using matte box? or post some pictures using matte box and without matte box

Thanx

Nerses, check out this post elsewhere on the forum:http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/archive/index.php/t-29.html

Just received my Chrosziel system with follow focus today and boy is it sweet. I had the Cavision bellows matte box for the DVX but the difference in craftsmanship and construction is really noticeable (sorry Cavision, no offense intended, really like your products).

I used the dual handle system from my Cavision set up for added support. Frankly I don't know how I'd shoot handheld with the Mattebox without the handles.

My camera now resembles something seen on a Hollywood set but it's not just for show, I intend on utilizing my filters in upcoming shoots.... :)

Steven:
I have the same matte-box and follow-focus. Works great; the only problem I've had is securing the follow-focus gear ring on the focusing rubber ring on the lense barrel. There are tiny little screws that appear as if they are supposed to securing the follow-focus gear to the lense focus ring, but they don't seem to do the job.

Am I doing something wrong/

John, I'll take a look at mine when I get home and let you know. I did not have to adjust any screws to get it set up.

John, I took a look at my setup and I see the screws you are talking about but I didn't touch mine. The ring just fit snug around the focus ring of the camera. Make sure the ridged part of the Chrosziel ring is facing the lens, not the camera body. Other than that, I would suggest you contact Chrosziel directly unless anyone else on the board can help.

Obvious question: Did you make sure to specify what camera you had before ordering? That would be the only variable I can think of.

RE:follow focus. Does the lens on the H1 allow you to follow focus accurately, unlike other electronic lenses with the infinite ring? If so, I've been misinformed

Thanks Steve - I will check which way the "ridge" is on the lense barrel. It has not created a problem - it still meshs with the gear, just find it worrisome that it isn't more firm - maybe I have the ring gear backwards.

As regards the repeatability of the follow focus - we have had no problem with hitting focus marks - set the focus point and mark the white ring - go to another focus point in the scene - then pull focus based upon the mark and it's in focus. Have not tried pulling multiple focus marks though as in a long shot of subject approaching a camera with landmarks to focus ring marks.

Also be aware that you can use the electronic focus preset to have the camera pull focus for you - it's just that even the slowest preset focus speed is way too fast most of the time for our taste - too distracting-noticeable with the one subject jerking to blur and the new subject jerking to focus. I usually find a slower focus pull less distracting to the viewer. Hope they have a firmware change on those speeds.

I have also had no problem pulling multiple focus points. I think the fact that there are no markings on the lens makes it difficult to focus manually but the follow focus system works flawlessly for me.

Coming back to an old subject - since EVERYBODY reads this forum (great job Chris!!!) there isn't a single Chrosziel follow-focus/matte box kit available at the moment in the USA (and please, if I am wrong LET ME KNOW :-), I'll buy it now!). So my question is - does anyone have any experience with Zacuto and the Petroff system of boxes, rails and follow-focus?

http://store.zacuto.com/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=10

Thanks for your input...

I'll be transferring my Zacuto plate/rod system and Century Optics/Vocas matte box to my H1 when I get it next week. I'll post some photos once I get the rig setup. It's an easy way to get the Marshall hooked up without added weight to the camera body itself.

I'll be transferring my Zacuto plate/rod system and Century Optics/Vocas matte box to my H1 when I get it next week...

Actually no, I won't. As it turns out (and explained in the HVX forum) it's not economically or time-feasible to attempt to merge HVX with H1 footage, so i'm staying with the HVX.