What do you know about Cavision Matte Boxes?

Josh Bass · November 6th, 2002, 10:23 PM

I just ordered mine. You don't need the rods for the 16x manual if you get the the HARD SHELL version of the box, if you get the bellows one you do. Perhaps this was common knowledge to most people, to me it was not.

Derrick Begin · November 7th, 2002, 03:00 PM

Just talked to CAVISION...

Thinking about the possibilities of having a magnet like that attached to my camera, enhancing crisp images.

You attach one of those lovies to your camera, you had better be ready to seal the deal when Betty-Sue comes a walk'n up to you.

Ditto on pasting post-it-notes all over the camera, Kermie. That would definately deture da lovelies coming your way. Maybe you could light it on fire. It'll would get some attention that way. Maybe you could burn yourself and find yourself in the hospital in the company of a beautiful nurse.... AH... I digress...

Cheers!

Derrick

Josh Bass · November 7th, 2002, 11:45 PM

Just got my box today. That thing is HUGE. What a monster! I need to do some tests to see when I experience vignetting with my various lenses. I'd rather not have to carry my LCD monitor around all the time.

John Threat · November 8th, 2002, 02:13 AM

What lenses do you have John Bass?

Josh Bass · November 8th, 2002, 07:39 AM

Just the stock and manual 16x, with a century .6x Wide Angle adapter.

Jeff Donald · November 9th, 2002, 05:41 AM

Just a note to let readers know that this was split out of a much larger topic. The matte box discussion got way off topic, hence the reason for the split. I'll remove this note in a few days.

Jeff

John Threat · November 9th, 2002, 09:48 AM

Matte boxes really prove their usefullness when you go wide. So I probably will go with the bellows and rods and pistol grip set up for the 16x manual and 3x wide.

Another point for a professional matte box or sunshade, is that imagine doing a really good scene, where everything went right,

action was right
dialog is right
light is right
Focus is right
Chance Background elements are right

Light seeped in from the side from a sloppy flag job, or jury-rigged cardboard matte box. You are looking at 3 takes of a scene that are subpar, and one excellent one with a flare.

I would have to have to pick between those scenes for the final product. :(

Josh Bass · November 9th, 2002, 04:54 PM

Anyone have tips on keeping those 4X4 glass filters clean? I've just been wiping down my lens with a microfiber cloth recently. Everything else I use leaves crap on it (lens pen, compressed air, ROR). This so far give me what looks like the cleanest lens, but I don't know if it'll work on those filters.

I'll be doing some tests with my matte box tomorrow.

katelins · November 9th, 2002, 09:34 PM

Could you use the Cavision matte box with whatever Panasonic plans for an anamorphic adapter for the AG-DVX100? I know this may be hard to say but for someone who has used neither a matte box nor adapter before, I was just wondering if you have to take one into consideration for the other - for example, if you had the $$ to buy a Cavision, would that rule you out of a 16:9 later??

Joe Carney · November 11th, 2002, 10:59 AM

>>Anyone have tips on keeping those 4X4 glass filters clean? I've just been wiping down my lens with a microfiber cloth recently.<<

Josh, I go to Wal-Mart in their eyeglass section (Usually up front) and get the microcloths for litte money. They also have eyeglass cleaning solution with free refills. Those cloths were the same as the expensive ones sold at camera stores. They are washable too. The fluid doesn't leave any residue as far as I can tell.
I also carry some disposable ones as backup.

Dave Grey · November 11th, 2002, 02:20 PM

I've been wary of generic lens cleaning solutions, not because of residue, but fearing damage to the lens coatings. Does anyone know what ingredients to look for (or to avoid) to insure the solution will not degrade coated lenses?

lyd

Josh Bass · November 11th, 2002, 03:01 PM

This stuff called ROR (residual oil remover) is allegedly the way to go. It's been recommnded for cleaning filters and lenses.

Joe Carney · November 11th, 2002, 03:08 PM

MY eyeglasses are coated with UV resistant stuff. The people at the vision section said the solution was safe. Still if Wal-Mart scares you, then don't user their stuff.
My eyeglasses cost 400.00 with frame, I don't take cleaning them lightly.

Andrew Petrie · May 16th, 2003, 09:40 AM

Following the praise the CaVision matte box has, I may get one. It sounds like everyone hear purchased their boxes from CaVision directly, am I right? Where did you purchase yours?

Keith Loh · May 16th, 2003, 10:15 AM

Just a note on using the matte boxes. Make sure they are screwed on tight. Dylan and I did a shoot a couple weeks ago and the matte box was a-thumping through all the motion shots .. actually the entire shot was motion!

November 6th, 2002, 10:23 PM	#16
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	I just ordered mine. You don't need the rods for the 16x manual if you get the the HARD SHELL version of the box, if you get the bellows one you do. Perhaps this was common knowledge to most people, to me it was not. __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

November 7th, 2002, 03:00 PM	#17
Derrick Begin Major Player Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: New York Posts: 329	*** * MATTE BOX RULES * *** Just talked to CAVISION... Thinking about the possibilities of having a magnet like that attached to my camera, enhancing crisp images. You attach one of those lovies to your camera, you had better be ready to seal the deal when Betty-Sue comes a walk'n up to you. Ditto on pasting post-it-notes all over the camera, Kermie. That would definately deture da lovelies coming your way. Maybe you could light it on fire. It'll would get some attention that way. Maybe you could burn yourself and find yourself in the hospital in the company of a beautiful nurse.... AH... I digress... Cheers! Derrick

November 7th, 2002, 11:45 PM	#18
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	Just got my box today. That thing is HUGE. What a monster! I need to do some tests to see when I experience vignetting with my various lenses. I'd rather not have to carry my LCD monitor around all the time. __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

November 8th, 2002, 07:39 AM	#20
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	Just the stock and manual 16x, with a century .6x Wide Angle adapter. __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

November 9th, 2002, 04:54 PM	#23
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	Anyone have tips on keeping those 4X4 glass filters clean? I've just been wiping down my lens with a microfiber cloth recently. Everything else I use leaves crap on it (lens pen, compressed air, ROR). This so far give me what looks like the cleanest lens, but I don't know if it'll work on those filters. I'll be doing some tests with my matte box tomorrow. __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

November 8th, 2002, 02:13 AM	#19
John Threat Major Player Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: New York Posts: 322	What lenses do you have John Bass?

November 9th, 2002, 05:41 AM	#21
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Just a note to let readers know that this was split out of a much larger topic. The matte box discussion got way off topic, hence the reason for the split. I'll remove this note in a few days. Jeff

November 9th, 2002, 09:48 AM	#22
John Threat Major Player Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: New York Posts: 322	Matte boxes really prove their usefullness when you go wide. So I probably will go with the bellows and rods and pistol grip set up for the 16x manual and 3x wide. Another point for a professional matte box or sunshade, is that imagine doing a really good scene, where everything went right, action was right dialog is right light is right Focus is right Chance Background elements are right Light seeped in from the side from a sloppy flag job, or jury-rigged cardboard matte box. You are looking at 3 takes of a scene that are subpar, and one excellent one with a flare. I would have to have to pick between those scenes for the final product. :(

November 9th, 2002, 09:34 PM	#24
katelins Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Honolulu, Hawaii Posts: 31	Could you use the Cavision matte box with whatever Panasonic plans for an anamorphic adapter for the AG-DVX100? I know this may be hard to say but for someone who has used neither a matte box nor adapter before, I was just wondering if you have to take one into consideration for the other - for example, if you had the $$ to buy a Cavision, would that rule you out of a 16:9 later??

November 11th, 2002, 10:59 AM	#25
Joe Carney Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Centreville Va Posts: 1,828	>>Anyone have tips on keeping those 4X4 glass filters clean? I've just been wiping down my lens with a microfiber cloth recently.<< Josh, I go to Wal-Mart in their eyeglass section (Usually up front) and get the microcloths for litte money. They also have eyeglass cleaning solution with free refills. Those cloths were the same as the expensive ones sold at camera stores. They are washable too. The fluid doesn't leave any residue as far as I can tell. I also carry some disposable ones as backup.

November 11th, 2002, 02:20 PM	#26
Dave Grey Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Wilkes-Barre PA Posts: 34	Cleaning Solutions I've been wary of generic lens cleaning solutions, not because of residue, but fearing damage to the lens coatings. Does anyone know what ingredients to look for (or to avoid) to insure the solution will not degrade coated lenses? lyd

November 11th, 2002, 03:01 PM	#27
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	This stuff called ROR (residual oil remover) is allegedly the way to go. It's been recommnded for cleaning filters and lenses. __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

November 11th, 2002, 03:08 PM	#28
Joe Carney Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Centreville Va Posts: 1,828	MY eyeglasses are coated with UV resistant stuff. The people at the vision section said the solution was safe. Still if Wal-Mart scares you, then don't user their stuff. My eyeglasses cost 400.00 with frame, I don't take cleaning them lightly.

May 16th, 2003, 09:40 AM	#29
Andrew Petrie Major Player Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London, Ontario, Canada Posts: 484	Following the praise the CaVision matte box has, I may get one. It sounds like everyone hear purchased their boxes from CaVision directly, am I right? Where did you purchase yours? __________________ Andrew \| Canon XL1s, ME66, Vinten Vision 3, GlideCam V16 (for sale!)

May 16th, 2003, 10:15 AM	#30
Keith Loh Air China Pilot Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Posts: 2,389	Just a note on using the matte boxes. Make sure they are screwed on tight. Dylan and I did a shoot a couple weeks ago and the matte box was a-thumping through all the motion shots .. actually the entire shot was motion! __________________ -- Visit http://www.KeithLoh.com \| stuff about living in Vancouver \| My Flickr photo gallery