Mike,

I want to keep them - seems that the investment I made many years ago while shooting stills is saving me money now that I'm shooting video. I did discover that although the Cinetactics isn't a perfect solution, it does have filter holders that allow me to utilize my P series filters.

I wish I could go with a more pro setup, but with the type of work I shoot, most of it outdoors/on location and being a one man production company, this looks to be the best solution for what I shoot.

Any thoughts???

Here's a low-tech, low-cost solution, that actually has it's roots in 35mm.

Put gaffer's tape over your monitor.

35mm negative is closer to 4 by 3, so video monitors show the whole image with various outlines for various ratios and what's "TV Safe." Some DP's don't like directors asking them about stuff that's outside the ratio, but still in the shot, so they'll put black matt boards or gaffer's tape over the screens so they only see what's going to be in the shot.

Now... how to do the matting in Vegas, I'm not sure about yet.

Little help?

lol... okay, my bad... we're talking about two different kinds of matts.

Still, a good trick for those who might not know it.

I spoke with the owner of Cinetactics - seems the Matteblox doesn't allow the manipulation of grad filters so I'm back to square one.

Having worked in Photo retail back in the day, I know what kinds of markups were applied to filters and and other accessories, but the cost of a simple matte box takes the cake in my opinion. It's one of those things you can't do without if you want to use any amount of serious on camera filtration - I'm beginning to wonder if this shouldn't all be done in post... How wound you get a grad filtration effect??? Maybe a PSD file with a graduated effect dropped in on the timeline..

hmm.. That has me thinking now......

Maybe a PSD file with a graduated effect dropped in on the timeline..

It'll most definitely work. Have a look at the OT: Another music video color graded in Vegas thread and do a search on this forum for others.
The Grad filter for Vegas 7? thread is one example that came up on a search for "grad filters". I know there's more out there :-)

Mike

There's some very cheap matte boxes being sold on ebay, complete with rods and camera mounts. You'll probably need to do a little bit of work on them to get them working right but for the price even if you had to pay someone to rework them you'd still be in front.
It seems you get a good selection of doughnuts so it should fit just about any lens.

Look for the "ebay matte box" thread under the Z1 over on DVInfo, I don't think you'd have too many problems getting this box to fit the TRV950s.

Bob.

A major reason for a grad filter is to bring subject brightness range within recording range, and that can only be done on camera. If you just want to apply a colour grad (e.g. sunset effect) then that can be done in Vegas.

The point here being, if, without an ND grad, you expose for the darks, the brights will be blown. Using an ND grad you have far more control and can "balance" the brights and the darks. However, this is okay IF you have a rigid horizon, or angle or shape that is constant to GRAD-up against. If I was to pan or tilt then the grad edge would screw everything up.

Perhaps doing colour filters in/on-camera offers more dynamic range than within an NLE? I'll leave the colour scientists hereabout to mess with that one!

I use ND-grads to bring up the exposure of a dark area. This is fab for large landscapes and angular items like buildings against a bright blue sky. Slap my pola on and the results just leap out at me.

I convinced myself to just bite the bullet and go with the following:

*Cavision MB385P - Matte Box (3x3 filters) - here
*RS816 - 8mm rods support system - here
*AR82-58 - step down ring to 58mm - here
*Will add generic 37mm-58mm and 43mm-58mm step up rings to connect to the cavision step ring.
*Am debating whether to get the RS8HS Single hand grip - here and one of the matching shoulder pads - here

Great thing is I can use this setup when I move to HDV without needing to get rid of it. I can't believe the cost of what is more or less an over glorified lens hood...

I can't believe the cost of what is more or less an over glorified lens hood...

If you think Cavison is a lot of money, try pricing Chrosziel.
You might need a second mortgage to buy a system :-(

Mike

Of course this stuff is expensive. The cost probably isn't so much in the hood, it's in the filter holders and rotating stages. There's a lot of tight tolerance parts in there. I've seen Arrie matte boxes go at auction for more than the price of a new unit, you need to think of these things as an investment. Unlike video cameras they simply keep on going, the good ones at least.

Be careful too, some of the cheap matte boxes don't do such a good job of holding the filters. Having a $500 glass filter fall out and smash makes your cheap matte box not so cheap anymore.

Bob.

No Kidding MIke - my jaw dropped to the ground when I saw the prices on some of the more exotic matte boxes

>>> 3 x 3 filters <<<

If you're going into HDV make sure 3 x 3 will cover the FOV. My FX1 needs 4 x 4 (strictly 4 x 3 but 4 x 4 if the filter stage is to be rotated). I'm pretty good at making things and contemplated making a matt box. As farrs mentions, those filter holders are critical and they're not easy to make to the required standard unless made heavier. And weight is a real issue. I could see that I could make a good matt box, but not out of carbon fibre and it would be quite a bit of work (meaning time). So I would have a heavy assembly that would cost me more in hours than buying one. I bought the Chrozsiel made for the FX/Z1 and that was a good decision. Light (important when off sticks), rigid (very important all the time), works smoothly, filters easily inserted, adjusted, etc. And the rails will take a follow-focus system.

I looked at the Matteblox some 4 year ago? Without purchasing, I moved on.

I've now got the Kestrel from TLS. This has one rotator and 2 filter trays. I've subsequently had an extra filter tray added. None of this activity is inexpensive. When it comes to matt boxes and filters, you really are in the land of "project-directed" budgets! I added to my arsenal bit by bit. As the projects came along I GRAD-uated up the investment ladder. Now, my shooting waistcoat contains the pola (linear 4x4 AND a 58mm circular twisty), 4 NDs, grads and a Black Mist. I also take with me a tobacco filter. It has brought out some amazing hues and colour references in shots.

As to dropping filters - yeah . . been there! £150 later and a replaced .6ND grad I now take extremely good care and ensure I have things bolted down. Actually I dropped the whole shebang and the bellows Matt box crashed to the ground, face forward, and the filter "found" the ONLY high point on what was flat concrete - DING! - Sent it back to manufacturers, but the scratch was to deep for re-surfacing - bugger!!

So, when investing in this lark, do look for safe was to handle and SECURE the device. BTW, what IS your day rate for shooting? Kinda puts it into context - huh? One piece of glass gone? I know I have to be real careful.

Having said ALL that, get some filters and start shooting. You will quickly, immediately see even more you can do.