Formatt FM500 plus wide angle adaptor? at DVinfo.net

Baldwin Li · November 15th, 2006, 01:06 PM

Hello all,

I am considering buying a JVC-HD100E or 110E a feature film shoot and currently putting together a package: tripod, case, extra battery and matte box plus filters.

In the UK JVC are currently including the wide angle adaptor for 'free':
http://www.creativevideo.co.uk/publi...r=jvc_wcv-82sc

I'm probably going to go for a Formatt FM500 matte box simply because of the price.
http://www.formatt.co.uk/dvt/default.asp
I know there's a few posts on the forum with people saying they're pretty happy with this matte box although I couldn't find any saying that that anyone has used this in conjunction with the wide angle adaptor, so does anyone know whether these are compatible? I think the Formatt is a clamp-on to the lens job so would the combination of the two be a bit risky with the weight?

If there's anyone in the UK out there who knows of a JVC dealer in the North of England as I'm based in Manchester please let me know. The closest one I can find is Creative Video in Warwick, still a few hours drive a way. Or if anyone has had a good experience with a dealer in the UK then let me know of them (by e-mail if you like as I know this isn't a forum for advertising).

Any help much appreciated.

Thanks,

Baldwin

Dave Beaty · November 15th, 2006, 02:54 PM

Hi,

We have the Formatt and the wide angle adaptor. The clamp on ring does not work because the outside diameter of the lens is too small. But the screw in adaptor works great and is better IMHO. Actually is works better with the adaptor because it has metal threads vs. the plastic ones on the stock lens.

We've been happy with the Formatt. It's stamped aluminum vs machined and the lens holders are plastic. How much does this matter? Not much. It does what it's supposed to do at a realistic price. Holds two filters, one can be rotated.

We took off the flag, as it's too big. And Tiffen filters are a bit thick for the holders. The Formatt filters are really nice and come with aluminum frames.

Dave Beaty

Stuart Campbell · November 15th, 2006, 03:44 PM

Hi Baldwin,

Try

http://www.proav.co.uk

they are doing some great deals on HD110E and HD111E packages and also sell the Formatt matte box and Formatt filters!

Let me know how you get on.

Stuart

Baldwin Li · November 16th, 2006, 08:08 AM

Thanks Dave and Stuart. I think I'll go for the Formatt then. A couple other posts have said they find the french flag too big that's supplied with the mattebox - have you replaced the flag with a bit of black foil or something rather than having no flag at all? I'll have to see whether it might be worth a hacksaw job if it's really that big!

I've looked up www.proav.co.uk and they have a few ex-demo HD-100Es and 101Es. I'm going to post my findings and options re these on another thread.

Cheers,

Baldwin

Dave Beaty · November 16th, 2006, 05:58 PM

The flag is just attached with screws so it comes right off.

Baldwin Li · November 16th, 2006, 08:25 PM

No i meant if the flag is massive then I'll just get a hacksaw out and cut it down a bit smaller, I didn't intend to hacksaw the flag off the mattebox itself! Hehe.

Baldwin

Paul Jefferies · November 17th, 2006, 05:41 AM

I have the Formatt matte box on my JVC and I find that the flag has a tendency to drop down by itself, no matter how much you tighten the screws, so you may be better off removing it (I have to hold mine up with a clamp!) still, the actors like it - it makes them think they're talking to a bigger camera

November 15th, 2006, 01:06 PM	#1
Baldwin Li Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Manchester Posts: 69	Formatt FM500 plus wide angle adaptor? Hello all, I am considering buying a JVC-HD100E or 110E a feature film shoot and currently putting together a package: tripod, case, extra battery and matte box plus filters. In the UK JVC are currently including the wide angle adaptor for 'free': http://www.creativevideo.co.uk/publi...r=jvc_wcv-82sc I'm probably going to go for a Formatt FM500 matte box simply because of the price. http://www.formatt.co.uk/dvt/default.asp I know there's a few posts on the forum with people saying they're pretty happy with this matte box although I couldn't find any saying that that anyone has used this in conjunction with the wide angle adaptor, so does anyone know whether these are compatible? I think the Formatt is a clamp-on to the lens job so would the combination of the two be a bit risky with the weight? If there's anyone in the UK out there who knows of a JVC dealer in the North of England as I'm based in Manchester please let me know. The closest one I can find is Creative Video in Warwick, still a few hours drive a way. Or if anyone has had a good experience with a dealer in the UK then let me know of them (by e-mail if you like as I know this isn't a forum for advertising). Any help much appreciated. Thanks, Baldwin

November 15th, 2006, 02:54 PM	#2
Dave Beaty Major Player Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Ft. Myers, FL Posts: 240	Hi, We have the Formatt and the wide angle adaptor. The clamp on ring does not work because the outside diameter of the lens is too small. But the screw in adaptor works great and is better IMHO. Actually is works better with the adaptor because it has metal threads vs. the plastic ones on the stock lens. We've been happy with the Formatt. It's stamped aluminum vs machined and the lens holders are plastic. How much does this matter? Not much. It does what it's supposed to do at a realistic price. Holds two filters, one can be rotated. We took off the flag, as it's too big. And Tiffen filters are a bit thick for the holders. The Formatt filters are really nice and come with aluminum frames. Dave Beaty

November 15th, 2006, 03:44 PM	#3
Stuart Campbell Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Hannover, Germany Posts: 400	Hi Baldwin, Try http://www.proav.co.uk they are doing some great deals on HD110E and HD111E packages and also sell the Formatt matte box and Formatt filters! Let me know how you get on. Stuart

November 16th, 2006, 08:08 AM	#4
Baldwin Li Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Manchester Posts: 69	Thanks Dave and Stuart. I think I'll go for the Formatt then. A couple other posts have said they find the french flag too big that's supplied with the mattebox - have you replaced the flag with a bit of black foil or something rather than having no flag at all? I'll have to see whether it might be worth a hacksaw job if it's really that big! I've looked up www.proav.co.uk and they have a few ex-demo HD-100Es and 101Es. I'm going to post my findings and options re these on another thread. Cheers, Baldwin

November 16th, 2006, 05:58 PM	#5
Dave Beaty Major Player Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Ft. Myers, FL Posts: 240	The flag is just attached with screws so it comes right off.

November 16th, 2006, 08:25 PM	#6
Baldwin Li Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Manchester Posts: 69	No i meant if the flag is massive then I'll just get a hacksaw out and cut it down a bit smaller, I didn't intend to hacksaw the flag off the mattebox itself! Hehe. Baldwin

November 17th, 2006, 05:41 AM	#7
Paul Jefferies Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Croydon, England Posts: 277	I have the Formatt matte box on my JVC and I find that the flag has a tendency to drop down by itself, no matter how much you tighten the screws, so you may be better off removing it (I have to hold mine up with a clamp!) still, the actors like it - it makes them think they're talking to a bigger camera