View Full Version : Matte boxes


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David Scattergood
March 14th, 2007, 04:10 AM
David..

It is a bit overwhelming, indeed. Yes, I bought a fujinon 17x5 lens and have been quite pleased with it.

When I refer to a focus puller, yes, I'm referring to another set of hands who is running the follow focus and watching a 15" LCD screen for focus.

And yes, again, to my reference to jitter/judder. Turning the focus ring directly on the lens results in a lot more image shaking than a very light touch turning a follow focus knob. Additionally, you can get somethinf called a "whip" A whip is a flexible connection to the follow focus knob that allows it to be turned over a flexible "wire" that doesn't have any shaking effect on the camera.

You know, the list of "professional" equipment is practically endless and a serious professional can need very deep pockets to keep up with all the hardware. But, one shouldn't forget that the primary tool is the camera. So much can be done with the fundamental tool. All the accessories just make the job easier, but, they certainly don't define the skill and creativity of the cinematographer.

Absolutely. I panic a lot less than when I first came on these boards, now I take each step at a time trying to get the best out of what I have.
Heck, I have a black piece of plastic which I'm going to shape into a french flag this weekend adding a bit of cork/plastic on the stock lens cover (if it was good enough for John Carpenter/Dean Cundey it's good enough for me!).
But aside from obtaining a lighting kit (and steadicam!), I'd like to eventually get hold of a quality mattebox and follow focus unit...but it appears from the the last few posts that unless I purchase a new lense or wide angle converter I may run into some trouble....which means yet more monetary expenditure :(

Thanks Bill.

Michael Maier
March 19th, 2007, 03:09 AM
I just used a Van Diemen again this past weekend. Great MB really. It had two rotating filters stages, eyebrow and a pair of siders and it was perfect! Very light weight too. But you don't see them around that much anymore. Not even sure if they are still being made.

Brian Drysdale
March 19th, 2007, 04:01 AM
I just used a Van Diemen again this past weekend. Great MB really. It had two rotating filters stages, eyebrow and a pair of siders and it was perfect! Very light weight too. But you don't see them around that much anymore. Not even sure if they are still being made.

I heard they'd run into difficulties and I haven't been dealing with them for some time, but they seem to have a current web site:

http://www.vandiemen.tv/index.html