How Useful is a Matte Box on 7D? at DVinfo.net

Ethan Lane · February 26th, 2010, 01:06 AM

What advantage does a matte box give over using a lens hood? Is it for the filters? Is it to look cool? I noticed Phillip Bloom says to get one but I never see him use one with a 7D.

Liam Hall · February 26th, 2010, 02:50 AM

Yes, a matte-box allows you to use drop-in filters and yes, it's also used to protect the lens from stray light causing flares and other annoyances. And yes pimping your 7D with a matte-box will make you look cool - giving the camera a bit of presence can be a good thing and isn't necessarily just about ego.

Bloom probably didn't have a matte-box that fitted the the camera and if he was using a fader ND he wouldn't have been able to fit a hood on the camera.

Years ago it would have been considered a crime to shoot without protecting your lens with a decent hood or matte-box, but with the 7D speed and convenience often come first.

Ethan Lane · February 26th, 2010, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liam Hall

giving the camera a bit of presence can be a good thing and isn't necessarily just about ego.

Never thought of it that way

Michael T. Neal · February 26th, 2010, 01:46 PM

I think the matte box is important if you need to look more professional, makes it look like your camera is more expensive.

But you can take the matte box off and use a simple camera lens hood to blend in and not advertise you are shooting video.

This is one of the benefits of the dslrs, thier flexibility in configurations.

Kelly Langerak · February 26th, 2010, 03:02 PM

Does anyone have a model number for the matte box for the Canon 7D?

Can you only use primes with the matte box? What are some other limitations?

Liam Hall · February 26th, 2010, 04:29 PM

If you have a rails system then the Redrock is very good for the price. If you want a clip on then there's the genus.

Some zooms work with a mattebox, but not all; lenses that extend when you zoom or focus tend not to work so well.

Mike Peterson · February 26th, 2010, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ethan Lane

What advantage does a matte box give over using a lens hood? Is it for the filters? Is it to look cool? I noticed Phillip Bloom says to get one but I never see him use one with a 7D.

I use a fader ND and that's it. If you are filter crazy then it might make sense... other than that it's a glorified sunshade that makes you look cool.

Burk Webb · February 26th, 2010, 08:36 PM

I like using a matte box. It can be pretty situation specific but they have a of of uses.

You can stack 4x4 Glass ND filters in them which is great, these are also easily rented. You can use graduated filters in them which is probably their biggest selling point, you can also choose how much grad to use by sliding the filter in and out of the filter slot, rotate it as well. The french flag is great for lens flares and living in the northwest i find that they are great for keeping rain off your lens.

Ethan Lane · February 26th, 2010, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burk Webb

You can stack 4x4 Glass ND filters in them which is great, these are also easily rented. You can use graduated filters in them which is probably their biggest selling point, you can also choose how much grad to use by sliding the filter in and out of the filter slot, rotate it as well. The french flag is great for lens flares and living in the northwest i find that they are great for keeping rain off your lens.

Now these are some good points to consider

Mike Peterson · February 26th, 2010, 09:58 PM

Me thinks these are really all just excuses to look more professional ;) just admit it everybody...we all know.

Bob Hart · February 26th, 2010, 10:25 PM

A fixed hood is fine but the moment you find yourself gaffering bent flaps of cereal packet on it to block some light, you have become aware of the need for flags and maybe could use a mattebox with its hinged flaps.

Yes there is pose value to having one. It might also hint that you are taking your task seriously.

Bill Koehler · February 26th, 2010, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ethan Lane

What advantage does a matte box give over using a lens hood? Is it for the filters? Is it to look cool? I noticed Phillip Bloom says to get one but I never see him use one with a 7D.

Never say never ;-)

http://philipbloom.co.uk/2009/09/03/...st-video-dslr/

Manus Sweeney · February 27th, 2010, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael T. Neal

makes it look like your camera is more expensive.

i guess thats true but its still a little silly to buy or carry a piece of kit for that reason (imo)..sorry!

Liam Hall · February 27th, 2010, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Peterson

I use a fader ND and that's it. If you are filter crazy then it might make sense... other than that it's a glorified sunshade that makes you look cool.

Sorry, but you are talking cobblers.

During camera tests on "24" Keifer sutherland said how he found it difficult to perform in front of such a small form camera, so as I said earlier, it's not just about looking pro. Also, a matte box is simply the best way to protect your lens against stray light and the best way to insert and manipulate filters.

Mike Peterson · February 27th, 2010, 10:40 AM

True...I don't pass the Keifer Test

February 26th, 2010, 01:06 AM	#1
Ethan Lane Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Dallas/Phoenix Posts: 39	How Useful is a Matte Box on 7D? What advantage does a matte box give over using a lens hood? Is it for the filters? Is it to look cool? I noticed Phillip Bloom says to get one but I never see him use one with a 7D.

February 26th, 2010, 02:50 AM	#2
Liam Hall Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: London, England Posts: 969	Yes, a matte-box allows you to use drop-in filters and yes, it's also used to protect the lens from stray light causing flares and other annoyances. And yes pimping your 7D with a matte-box will make you look cool - giving the camera a bit of presence can be a good thing and isn't necessarily just about ego. Bloom probably didn't have a matte-box that fitted the the camera and if he was using a fader ND he wouldn't have been able to fit a hood on the camera. Years ago it would have been considered a crime to shoot without protecting your lens with a decent hood or matte-box, but with the 7D speed and convenience often come first. __________________ Writer-Director-DOP www.liamhall.net

February 26th, 2010, 01:46 PM	#4
Michael T. Neal Tourist Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bristow, VA Posts: 3	situational I think the matte box is important if you need to look more professional, makes it look like your camera is more expensive. But you can take the matte box off and use a simple camera lens hood to blend in and not advertise you are shooting video. This is one of the benefits of the dslrs, thier flexibility in configurations.

February 26th, 2010, 04:29 PM	#6
Liam Hall Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: London, England Posts: 969	If you have a rails system then the Redrock is very good for the price. If you want a clip on then there's the genus. Some zooms work with a mattebox, but not all; lenses that extend when you zoom or focus tend not to work so well. __________________ Writer-Director-DOP www.liamhall.net

February 26th, 2010, 09:58 PM	#10
Mike Peterson Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: White Bear Lake, Minnesota Posts: 85	Me thinks these are really all just excuses to look more professional ;) just admit it everybody...we all know. __________________ www.insectula.com

February 26th, 2010, 03:02 PM	#5
Kelly Langerak Major Player Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Bay Area Posts: 522	Does anyone have a model number for the matte box for the Canon 7D? Can you only use primes with the matte box? What are some other limitations?

February 26th, 2010, 08:36 PM	#8
Burk Webb Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 249	I like using a matte box. It can be pretty situation specific but they have a of of uses. You can stack 4x4 Glass ND filters in them which is great, these are also easily rented. You can use graduated filters in them which is probably their biggest selling point, you can also choose how much grad to use by sliding the filter in and out of the filter slot, rotate it as well. The french flag is great for lens flares and living in the northwest i find that they are great for keeping rain off your lens.

February 26th, 2010, 10:25 PM	#11
Bob Hart Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PERTH. W.A. AUSTRALIA. Posts: 4,477	A fixed hood is fine but the moment you find yourself gaffering bent flaps of cereal packet on it to block some light, you have become aware of the need for flags and maybe could use a mattebox with its hinged flaps. Yes there is pose value to having one. It might also hint that you are taking your task seriously. Last edited by Bob Hart; February 26th, 2010 at 10:25 PM. Reason: error

February 27th, 2010, 10:40 AM	#15
Mike Peterson Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: White Bear Lake, Minnesota Posts: 85	True...I don't pass the Keifer Test __________________ www.insectula.com