Filter Holder, Lens Shade combo

[Barry Goyette]

Maybe someone can help me out.

I'm trying to find a decent filter holder/ lens shade combo that I can transfer from my xl1s to the gl2, so ideally it would need to be a lens mounted system, I think. Also I hesitate to use the word "matte box" as it seems that it can cause the price to triple.

My research is leading me to the 100mm Lee/Calumet system (about $250 with a couple of rings), as it is reasonably priced and seems to be of some quality...anybody ever used it, or have another brand that you'd recommend?

I also considered the cokin, but I'm worried about their nonstandard filter sizes...plus I've had trouble finding stock on certain components.

thanks

Barry

[Ken Tanaka]

Barry,
This may be the same item you noted, but I've been looking at the Lee Video Hood. It's a bellows-style hood that features a filter holder. I saw Dan Berube mention it in his Watchdog article on a shoot. It looks pretty functionally interesting and is certainly more reasonably priced than many of the alternatives.

At B&H:
http://www01.bhphotovideo.com/default.sph/FrameWork.class?FNC=ProductActivator__Aproductlist_html___132416___LEVH95___REG___SID=F0D8BEB38C2

Will the toy parade never end? <g>

[Adrian van der Park]

Don't worry about calling them matte boxes.

Check out Cavision.

http://www.cavision.com/Mattbox/for_canon.htm

I recently got the 4x4 bellows style for one of my XL1's, with support rails and handgrips for a really great price.

The mattebox itself was US$350, which like mini-dv format, is a great deal for what you get.

I went to them first because they are in town for me, and was able to check out their products on my lunch break. I brought my camera and their products are good quality and solid construction (though they're not gonna run Chroziel outta business). As soon as I tried those hand grips, I knew I needed to get those, and they have significantly improved my camera work as a result.

Adrian

[Barry Goyette]

Ken

Here's the product I was looking at...it's targeted at photographers, thus is half the price, and has adaptor rings in a full range. Three filter slots. It looks like almost the same thing

http://www.calumetphoto.com/calumet/ProdSearch.taf?_function=detail&qryItem_Copy_Parent_uid1=LE5000K&type=SPDSEARCH&_UserReference=17CB6 FA83D96C9783D9A1698


My concern about the lee product...is the functionality of the "self supporting bellows"...it's a patented device for them, so I would imagine it works...but I'm skeptical... I don't have a professional shop in my neck of the woods, so I can't lay my hands on one. I'm going to check out the cavision next.

NEVER call them toys...they are tools...tools are necessary....You know, this forum has had a seriously negative effect on my wallet...I can hardly imagine how I survived a few years ago shooting with just a gl1, most of the time on automatic...with nothing else attached to my camera...methinks it's time for a little Dogme ascetisism.

Barry

[Ken Tanaka]

Ahh, I see. Yes, it does look like an interesting product and much less $. But doesn't the outside aperture look a bit small to you? Perhaps it's just the angle of the product photo. But compare it to photos of the Lee video hood on Don's article page (http://www.dvinfo.net/articles/production/berube1.php). Of course, I would think that photo hoods have to accommodate at least the same field range as video so they must be similar in dimensions, eh?

[Barry Goyette]

Ken

I think it is about the same size, as it accepts a 105mm adapter ring...thus the opening (lens end) is actually larger than the video version. The biggest difference is that because it is for still photography it is square (so it can work with a Hassleblad). I once had a cokin model like this, that came with a slide-in mask at the front to bring it back to a rectangle. Because it's a bellows, the outer mask size isn't too important, although the shape is....this could be corrected with cinefoil or blackout tape.

My main concern is that it also fit my gl2, and it doesn't look like the video model will, as it is a clamp-on. The gl2 doesn't really have a place to clamp on...it would need a special bayonet adapter...which I don't see a mention of on B&H's site.

thanks for directing me to don's article though...it gives some credence to the quality of the actual hood, which is my biggest fear. As long as it can support itself without sagging, then I think I'm ok.

Barry

[Ken Tanaka]

Let me know what you ultimately select. Always good to follow a worn path <g>.

"As long as it can support itself without sagging, then I think I'm ok." Isn't that how we all feel most days...

[Barry Goyette]

Ken

I was hoping someone else was going to be the beta tester...I'm about 2 hours from a calumet store, so I'll probably make the drive and give it a whirl. I'll let you know.

Barry