FX1000 matte box at DVinfo.net

Jeff Harper · March 21st, 2009, 02:17 PM

Processional for my wedding yesterday was difficult. Wedding was outdoors, and the sun was coming at just the angle that a matte box would have made a huge difference.

I'm asking: Are they sold for specific cameras, or do I buy one size fits all? I did a cursory look at B&H but still feel unsure at what I should be looking for.

As an aside, I couldn't believe how expensive they are.

Rob Morse · March 22nd, 2009, 10:59 AM

Jeff, I've been looking at them as well. You'll probably pay a minimum of $800 for a cheap one and that won't include filters. I wonder if the same matte box would fit on both cameras? It's not a one size fits all, it will go mainly by lens size I believe.
I found this in another post:
http://imagewest.tv/index.asp?PageAc...PROD&ProdID=27

Ivan Snoeckx · March 22nd, 2009, 03:02 PM

VOCAS in the Netherlands (Europe) is making matte boxes for the HVR-Z5 and HDR-FX1000.

VOCAS SYSTEMS BV

I believe that in the US they are sold as Century Precision Optics. Prices start around $800 at B&H Photo Video. And at this price they are not cheap made matte boxes. Filters are of course not included, but Century Optics has some nice priced DV kits to get you started.

Century Precision Optics | B&H Photo Video

Century DV/HDV Filters - Schneider Optics

Schneider Optics Instruction DVD

Hope this helps!

Rob Morse · March 22nd, 2009, 04:59 PM

I appreciate the post. The biggest problem I'm going to have are the rods on the matte box. I keep a quick release plate on the camera all the time. When I'm not on a tripod, 80% of my shooting is on a monopod. That would hamper me when I need to go quickly from the monopod to the tripod.

Jeff Harper · March 23rd, 2009, 12:59 AM

I'm wondering if there is a simple clip on shade available rather than a matte box...my shooting is often run and gun also, I need something quick, and a clip-on device might be best...still looking.

Adam Gold · March 23rd, 2009, 11:01 AM

You would think these would be available (and they may be, somewhere) -- it would make perfect sense -- but I've been looking for them too and even the most basic set of flags is way too expensive....

Jeff Harper · March 23rd, 2009, 01:01 PM

I can't believe it, I just left the largest local industrial video supply house and while I was there I forgot to ask about this...I could kick myself. I'll call them. If anyone knows of something they might, except their solutions are probably all very expensive.

Rob Morse · March 23rd, 2009, 02:20 PM

Jeff, I was heading to NY in a couple of weeks and was hoping to stop by B&H but they're going to be closed for Passover. What are the odds? 1 in 358? Anyway, I guess you'll be the guinnea pig. Take one for the team and let us know what happens.

Jeff Harper · March 23rd, 2009, 03:19 PM

Wow, that sucks about b&H!.

Ivan Snoeckx · March 23rd, 2009, 03:27 PM

Take a look at this.

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/private-c...ilter-set.html

Jeff Harper · March 23rd, 2009, 03:42 PM

Thanks, Ivan, great of you to post that. Still way out of my price range, and more than I need.

Ed Van Thienen · March 27th, 2009, 02:32 AM

Rob I just converted my Manfrotto monopod by permanently mounting a quickmount plate (3273) on top of it, I now have all my camera gear (still and Video) equipped with Manfrotto plates and quickmounts on all tripods and heads. So I can put any combination I need together in a minute.
For Jeff, I made a "generous" French flag (out of 2mm plastic) with a cardboard hinge for my FX1000 that attaches to the standard rectangular hood with a hd rubber band, works like a charm, cost $2.00 Cnd.
Ed

Jeff Harper · March 27th, 2009, 08:37 AM

Is there no end to the inventiveness of some people...what a great idea!

Rob Morse · March 27th, 2009, 08:51 AM

Ed, I do the same. On my monopod I have a 701 head and a 503 head on my tripod, which works great. My concern regarding the matte box was mounting the rods under my camera and messing up my system.

Ed Van Thienen · March 27th, 2009, 10:39 PM

Yes that is a bit harder to get around, especially if weight is an issue and it usually is!
I would leave it on for most of my stuff and just remove it when you Have to be light.
Ed

March 21st, 2009, 02:17 PM	#1
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	FX1000 matte box Processional for my wedding yesterday was difficult. Wedding was outdoors, and the sun was coming at just the angle that a matte box would have made a huge difference. I'm asking: Are they sold for specific cameras, or do I buy one size fits all? I did a cursory look at B&H but still feel unsure at what I should be looking for. As an aside, I couldn't believe how expensive they are. Last edited by Jeff Harper; March 22nd, 2009 at 11:00 AM.

March 27th, 2009, 02:32 AM	#12
Ed Van Thienen New Boot Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Ashcroft BC. Canada Posts: 17	Quickmount Rob I just converted my Manfrotto monopod by permanently mounting a quickmount plate (3273) on top of it, I now have all my camera gear (still and Video) equipped with Manfrotto plates and quickmounts on all tripods and heads. So I can put any combination I need together in a minute. For Jeff, I made a "generous" French flag (out of 2mm plastic) with a cardboard hinge for my FX1000 that attaches to the standard rectangular hood with a hd rubber band, works like a charm, cost $2.00 Cnd. Ed Last edited by Ed Van Thienen; March 27th, 2009 at 02:36 AM. Reason: more info

March 27th, 2009, 10:39 PM	#15
Ed Van Thienen New Boot Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Ashcroft BC. Canada Posts: 17	Rods Yes that is a bit harder to get around, especially if weight is an issue and it usually is! I would leave it on for most of my stuff and just remove it when you Have to be light. Ed

March 22nd, 2009, 10:59 AM	#2
Rob Morse Major Player Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 427	Jeff, I've been looking at them as well. You'll probably pay a minimum of $800 for a cheap one and that won't include filters. I wonder if the same matte box would fit on both cameras? It's not a one size fits all, it will go mainly by lens size I believe. I found this in another post: http://imagewest.tv/index.asp?PageAc...PROD&ProdID=27

March 22nd, 2009, 03:02 PM	#3
Ivan Snoeckx Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Belgium \| Europe Posts: 441	VOCAS in the Netherlands (Europe) is making matte boxes for the HVR-Z5 and HDR-FX1000. VOCAS SYSTEMS BV I believe that in the US they are sold as Century Precision Optics. Prices start around $800 at B&H Photo Video. And at this price they are not cheap made matte boxes. Filters are of course not included, but Century Optics has some nice priced DV kits to get you started. Century Precision Optics \| B&H Photo Video Century DV/HDV Filters - Schneider Optics Schneider Optics Instruction DVD Hope this helps!

March 22nd, 2009, 04:59 PM	#4
Rob Morse Major Player Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 427	I appreciate the post. The biggest problem I'm going to have are the rods on the matte box. I keep a quick release plate on the camera all the time. When I'm not on a tripod, 80% of my shooting is on a monopod. That would hamper me when I need to go quickly from the monopod to the tripod.

March 23rd, 2009, 12:59 AM	#5
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	I'm wondering if there is a simple clip on shade available rather than a matte box...my shooting is often run and gun also, I need something quick, and a clip-on device might be best...still looking.

March 23rd, 2009, 11:01 AM	#6
Adam Gold Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Woodinville, WA USA Posts: 3,467	You would think these would be available (and they may be, somewhere) -- it would make perfect sense -- but I've been looking for them too and even the most basic set of flags is way too expensive....

March 23rd, 2009, 01:01 PM	#7
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	I can't believe it, I just left the largest local industrial video supply house and while I was there I forgot to ask about this...I could kick myself. I'll call them. If anyone knows of something they might, except their solutions are probably all very expensive.

March 23rd, 2009, 02:20 PM	#8
Rob Morse Major Player Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 427	Jeff, I was heading to NY in a couple of weeks and was hoping to stop by B&H but they're going to be closed for Passover. What are the odds? 1 in 358? Anyway, I guess you'll be the guinnea pig. Take one for the team and let us know what happens.

March 23rd, 2009, 03:19 PM	#9
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Wow, that sucks about b&H!.

March 23rd, 2009, 03:27 PM	#10
Ivan Snoeckx Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Belgium \| Europe Posts: 441	Take a look at this. http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/private-c...ilter-set.html

March 23rd, 2009, 03:42 PM	#11
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Thanks, Ivan, great of you to post that. Still way out of my price range, and more than I need.

March 27th, 2009, 08:37 AM	#13
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Is there no end to the inventiveness of some people...what a great idea!

March 27th, 2009, 08:51 AM	#14
Rob Morse Major Player Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 427	Ed, I do the same. On my monopod I have a 701 head and a 503 head on my tripod, which works great. My concern regarding the matte box was mounting the rods under my camera and messing up my system.