Matte box type thingy for XH A1s at DVinfo.net

Danny Winn · June 4th, 2009, 01:15 PM

Ok,

I'm not exactly looking for a matte box for my A1s, I'm looking for what would basically be the top of one to sheild out backlights or any light above that gets into your lens. It's like a barndoor on a spot light but only the top part that mounts around the lens hood, you see these a lot on outdoor animal show like on Animal Planet.

I don't know what they call them for a google search but I know they exist (don't know about for XH A1s though).

If I have to use a full Mattebox I will do so but it would sure be nice to have one of those simple lightweight deals if I could find one. Anybody know if they have a specific name???

I do use 3x5 cards at times but they can be a pain even though they can be effective.

Thanks.

Philip Younger · June 4th, 2009, 02:59 PM

A Company called Formatt make exactly what you want:Matte Boxes to buy online : FM600 Matte Box from Formatt Filters

however, you won't be able to use auto focus with one of these fitted as it covers the auto focus sensor with no realistic means of working around it

Danny Winn · June 4th, 2009, 05:49 PM

Not quite it Philip but I really really appreciate the link, What I'm looking for is just the top part of the one you linked to. It doesn't hold filters or anything it's just a shield on a hinge that mounts on top.

I will try and find a pic of it but it's hard cause I don't know what they call it. I just saw it on "Big cat diaries" today on the Animal Planet.

Thanks so much though Philip!

Bill Pryor · June 4th, 2009, 06:57 PM

Sounds like you're talking about a French flag. Filmtools has them, as well as many other places.

Danny Winn · June 4th, 2009, 07:39 PM

Yes Bill!

Thats it! I found some pics immediatly after you said what they were (Below).

See i need something that doesnt cover the auto focus because I film a lot of Mixed Martial Arts and Trying to manually focus can be tricky with all the action.

Thanks So Much Bill!!!

Jack Walker · June 7th, 2009, 02:57 PM

Go down this page. There are some flags that are very lightweight and work well from Barber Tech (EZ Flag). They have fitting for shoe mount, screw mount, or clamp mount:
Barbertech Video Products

These can be attached in different ways and won't block the autofocus on the XH-A1.

Bill Pryor · June 8th, 2009, 06:21 PM

Which reminds me...the XH A1 is the first pro camera I've ever used that does not have the 1/4" threaded socket on top of the handle.

Jack Walker · June 8th, 2009, 07:44 PM

This little Manfrotto nano clamp ($29.95) can go on tubing (e.g. tripod arm):
manfrotto nano clamp | B&H Photo Video

This little "J" clamp from 16x9 is made to go on a camcorder handle (but it's expensive at $114.95):
16x9 Inc. | 169-J-BRKT J-Clamp Mounting Bracket | 169-J-BRKT

Danny Winn · June 8th, 2009, 09:27 PM

Very cool! Thanks so much for the links Jack!

Bill Pryor · June 9th, 2009, 06:22 PM

I have one of these, http://www.filmtools.com/clamfrenflag.html , but I like that Manfroto clamp idea.

June 4th, 2009, 01:15 PM	#1
Danny Winn Major Player Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 291	Matte box type thingy for XH A1s Ok, I'm not exactly looking for a matte box for my A1s, I'm looking for what would basically be the top of one to sheild out backlights or any light above that gets into your lens. It's like a barndoor on a spot light but only the top part that mounts around the lens hood, you see these a lot on outdoor animal show like on Animal Planet. I don't know what they call them for a google search but I know they exist (don't know about for XH A1s though). If I have to use a full Mattebox I will do so but it would sure be nice to have one of those simple lightweight deals if I could find one. Anybody know if they have a specific name??? I do use 3x5 cards at times but they can be a pain even though they can be effective. Thanks.

June 4th, 2009, 07:39 PM	#5
Danny Winn Major Player Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 291	Yes Bill! Thats it! I found some pics immediatly after you said what they were (Below). See i need something that doesnt cover the auto focus because I film a lot of Mixed Martial Arts and Trying to manually focus can be tricky with all the action. Thanks So Much Bill!!! Attached Thumbnails

June 4th, 2009, 02:59 PM	#2
Philip Younger Major Player Join Date: May 2008 Location: Warwickshire Posts: 207	A Company called Formatt make exactly what you want:Matte Boxes to buy online : FM600 Matte Box from Formatt Filters however, you won't be able to use auto focus with one of these fitted as it covers the auto focus sensor with no realistic means of working around it

June 4th, 2009, 05:49 PM	#3
Danny Winn Major Player Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 291	Not quite it Philip but I really really appreciate the link, What I'm looking for is just the top part of the one you linked to. It doesn't hold filters or anything it's just a shield on a hinge that mounts on top. I will try and find a pic of it but it's hard cause I don't know what they call it. I just saw it on "Big cat diaries" today on the Animal Planet. Thanks so much though Philip!

June 4th, 2009, 06:57 PM	#4
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	Sounds like you're talking about a French flag. Filmtools has them, as well as many other places.

June 7th, 2009, 02:57 PM	#6
Jack Walker Trustee Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Burbank Posts: 1,811	Go down this page. There are some flags that are very lightweight and work well from Barber Tech (EZ Flag). They have fitting for shoe mount, screw mount, or clamp mount: Barbertech Video Products These can be attached in different ways and won't block the autofocus on the XH-A1.

June 8th, 2009, 06:21 PM	#7
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	Which reminds me...the XH A1 is the first pro camera I've ever used that does not have the 1/4" threaded socket on top of the handle.

June 8th, 2009, 07:44 PM	#8
Jack Walker Trustee Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Burbank Posts: 1,811	This little Manfrotto nano clamp ($29.95) can go on tubing (e.g. tripod arm): manfrotto nano clamp \| B&H Photo Video This little "J" clamp from 16x9 is made to go on a camcorder handle (but it's expensive at $114.95): 16x9 Inc. \| 169-J-BRKT J-Clamp Mounting Bracket \| 169-J-BRKT

June 8th, 2009, 09:27 PM	#9
Danny Winn Major Player Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 291	Very cool! Thanks so much for the links Jack!

June 9th, 2009, 06:22 PM	#10
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	I have one of these, http://www.filmtools.com/clamfrenflag.html , but I like that Manfroto clamp idea.