Formatt Matte Box FM600 / cokin z360? at DVinfo.net

Leslie Wand · August 18th, 2007, 05:39 AM

anyone using / tried these matte boxes.

http://www.gomediamonkey.com/products.php?cat=72

or

Cokin Matte Box, Model Z360

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...odel_Z360.html

leslie

Zsolt Gordos · August 18th, 2007, 02:07 PM

Leslie,

I own the Cokin, not bad. You can use the Cokin filters (but any other brand of the standard sizes). It looks plastic but its not. Comes with French flag thingy.
I think its not a bad price they are selling it for (check Chrosziel prices to compare...)

Leslie Wand · August 18th, 2007, 05:20 PM

thanks zsolt,

are you using it direct or with a wa lens (i want to use it with the sony kit wa)?

any bad points you've come across - and yes, the reason i'm asking this question in the first place IS the price of the chrosziel!

leslie

Bob Grant · August 19th, 2007, 12:28 AM

Hi Leslie,
we have two Formatte matte boxes, one broken and the other still in one piece. Not a good look on any of the HDV cameras but good to see the price has come down. We paid around AUD 2K each for ours quite some time ago.

Problem is with the matte box mounted on the lens the mic can get in the way, certainly an issue on the Z1 and from memory when I tried it on the V1 something else got in the way as well. Also factor in the cost of the adaptor rings, they're not exactly cheap either. The other problem is there's not much real estate to hold the adaptor onto the lens so it's very easy for the whole matte box to come off the lens. If the lens has a soft rubber exterior even more of a problem.

From my experience a matte box without rods to hold it is asking for trouble, more so if using a WA lens.

Chrosziel have spent a bit of engineering to come up with a matte box that works well with the HDV cameras, you can easily change filters and rotate the rotating stage. Of course none of this comes cheap.

Also check what size filters you need, not certain about the V1 with a WA but on the Z1 + WA you need the Panavision (4x4.5) sized filters.

Leslie Wand · August 19th, 2007, 01:01 AM

well hello there bob,

and just as i was about to drop you an email..... (btw - the problems with the formatt - were you using direct, or on the bayonet wa?)

i know, i know, Chrosziel - had one for my sp rig, but that was then, and this is now, and since retiring, my income doesn't match my tastes!

i'm also looking to mount whatever on / over the sony wa (86mm thread). i really need it for two purposes,

a. polaroid filter (shooting paintings and race horses)

b. good sunshade since both the above are usually shot outdoors in bright sunlight.

am open to other suggestions - screw in filter (86mm) with suitable lens hood. but living outback doesn't give me the opportunity to play - nor, other than bob's digihire, can i think where to try on the latest fashions....

awaiting enlightenment (with suitable shade)

leslie

ps. anyone know anything about the lee:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...lterholer.html

August 18th, 2007, 05:39 AM	#1
Leslie Wand Trustee Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: upper hunter, australia Posts: 1,410	Formatt Matte Box FM600 / cokin z360? anyone using / tried these matte boxes. http://www.gomediamonkey.com/products.php?cat=72 or Cokin Matte Box, Model Z360 http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...odel_Z360.html leslie

August 18th, 2007, 02:07 PM	#2
Zsolt Gordos Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Budapest, Hungary Posts: 414	Leslie, I own the Cokin, not bad. You can use the Cokin filters (but any other brand of the standard sizes). It looks plastic but its not. Comes with French flag thingy. I think its not a bad price they are selling it for (check Chrosziel prices to compare...) __________________ Sony XDCAM EX1r, Canon 5DMkII, Røde NTG2, Røde NT1000, Røde Stereo Videomic, Sachtler DV6 SB on Gitzo 1325V, Steadicam Merlin, Omnitracker, Hackintosh 3.5Ghz Quad 8Gb RAM

August 18th, 2007, 05:20 PM	#3
Leslie Wand Trustee Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: upper hunter, australia Posts: 1,410	thanks zsolt, are you using it direct or with a wa lens (i want to use it with the sony kit wa)? any bad points you've come across - and yes, the reason i'm asking this question in the first place IS the price of the chrosziel! leslie

August 19th, 2007, 12:28 AM	#4
Bob Grant Trustee Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 1,570	Hi Leslie, we have two Formatte matte boxes, one broken and the other still in one piece. Not a good look on any of the HDV cameras but good to see the price has come down. We paid around AUD 2K each for ours quite some time ago. Problem is with the matte box mounted on the lens the mic can get in the way, certainly an issue on the Z1 and from memory when I tried it on the V1 something else got in the way as well. Also factor in the cost of the adaptor rings, they're not exactly cheap either. The other problem is there's not much real estate to hold the adaptor onto the lens so it's very easy for the whole matte box to come off the lens. If the lens has a soft rubber exterior even more of a problem. From my experience a matte box without rods to hold it is asking for trouble, more so if using a WA lens. Chrosziel have spent a bit of engineering to come up with a matte box that works well with the HDV cameras, you can easily change filters and rotate the rotating stage. Of course none of this comes cheap. Also check what size filters you need, not certain about the V1 with a WA but on the Z1 + WA you need the Panavision (4x4.5) sized filters.

August 19th, 2007, 01:01 AM	#5
Leslie Wand Trustee Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: upper hunter, australia Posts: 1,410	well hello there bob, and just as i was about to drop you an email..... (btw - the problems with the formatt - were you using direct, or on the bayonet wa?) i know, i know, Chrosziel - had one for my sp rig, but that was then, and this is now, and since retiring, my income doesn't match my tastes! i'm also looking to mount whatever on / over the sony wa (86mm thread). i really need it for two purposes, a. polaroid filter (shooting paintings and race horses) b. good sunshade since both the above are usually shot outdoors in bright sunlight. am open to other suggestions - screw in filter (86mm) with suitable lens hood. but living outback doesn't give me the opportunity to play - nor, other than bob's digihire, can i think where to try on the latest fashions.... awaiting enlightenment (with suitable shade) leslie ps. anyone know anything about the lee: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...lterholer.html