Matte box advantages

[Les Dittert]

Peter,
Does the light meter really fall into the needed category these days, with the histogram and all ?

Mitch - no offense to you amd your friend, but this is a perfect example of someone who has no clue about the purpose of a matte-box (or other cine accessories for that matter) making a silly comment like that and other therefore dismissing that accessory as well. This is one of the side-effects of the DSLR "revolution". Putting large budget productions aside I see essential accessories (like matte-boxes, light-meters, etc) disappearing from sets along with the knowledge about their purpose and mode of use. I won't be surprised to see a pro TVC in couple of years being shot on a iPhone 7...

Rant off... ;o)

Peter

[Peter Majtan]

Peter,
Does the light meter really fall into the needed category these days, with the histogram and all ?

It depends on the project. In-camera exposure tools goes only so far. When I need to set the contrast in my scene (how bright or dark I want individual elements to be) - the light-meter is indispensable - it would be almost impossible without it, or it would take much, much longer...

[Arnold F.]

This can be viewed from many angles. If you think the belief that you can dispense with a mattebox is bad, you can see how bad the increasing belief that sound can be done by anyone is. Although I intend to get one, a mattebox has not been an item without which a project cannot be shot. There are narrative, non-silent films/tv being made now where they won't hire a mixer (or will try to do so at a fraction of the rate paid to someone with a fraction of the responsibility, like an AC). Camera guys with mics on the cameras help to give that impression.

Mitch - no offense to you amd your friend, but this is a perfect example of someone who has no clue about the purpose of a matte-box (or other cine accessories for that matter) making a silly comment like that and other therefore dismissing that accessory as well. This is one of the side-effects of the DSLR "revolution". Putting large budget productions aside I see essential accessories (like matte-boxes, light-meters, etc) disappearing from sets along with the knowledge about their purpose and mode of use. I won't be surprised to see a pro TVC in couple of years being shot on a iPhone 7...

Rant off... ;o)

Peter

[Jonas Klittmark]

I do. I shoot a ton of timelapses at FF 5K... ;o)

I see!

5K on the Scarlet is still cropped 1.3x from FF35 though so you might still be lucky. Unless you are stacking a bunch of filters... which I have a feeling you might :P

[Ted Parkes]

The histogram certainly makes getting the explore correct but it doesn't factor in all the ratio with in the sceen. I still rely on my light meter and then expose to get the most out of the raw image.

[Vino Harris]

I am going to post on of my best kept secrets for everyone...You want a great light weight matte box for canon nikon etc. lenses that holds filters shades etc. without using rods?? and doesn't hurt your pockets. Stay off ebay ..because I own 2 of them and they have been out for years.

[Vino Harris]

I posted on the forum so here is the link...check it out

My site using the matte in the gallery http://www.c22b.com

mattebox http://www.cinetactics.com

[Mike Garrick]

Matte box = light control.

Everyone seems to be discussing outdoor applications with MB's.

Another question to consider ....how many studio/interiors setups will you be likely doing? In my opinion light control in these environments is critical to quality of image. Especially with multiple light sources, you need to control light spill on the lens, particularly with back light ( drops to one knee & crosses himself ).

I appreciate the budget argument but given the price of MBs I'm sure even the skint..est of us Scarlet owners can afford a solution. My only advice would be to steer clear of anything with Foam donuts, they're craptacular, giving you nothing but frustration & time lost on set.

In regards to going "guerilla"ie low key . Man your shooting with a Scarlet X with RED plastered all over it !!. I'm continually amazed by the recognition of this brand name by nobodies..".hey isnt that the camera used to shoot GWTDT"....groan. The best way to go low key is maybe to shoot with a DLSR or put Scarlet in a cardboard box with a hole cutout! ..............Hang on now's there a cheap low key MB solution.