14Mar Low price Matte box for your DSLR.
I will start off with a little rant. I think matte boxes are a waste of money. A matte box performs 2 tasks, first it prevents lens flares by keeping the lens in the shade, and second it gives you a place to mount your filters. Most DSLR lenses come with a lens hood which prevents the majority of lens flares and almost every DSLR lens that I know of has threads at the front of the lens so you can add any kind of filter you like.
So if that’s the case, then why do people want them on their DSLR Rig? Well, I’ve asked the same question and the two most common responses are these: “Yea but it looks cool.” and “I have one so I may as well use it.” The first answer was by far the the most common, but I did get a few of the second from people who made the transition to DSLR video from older rigs and already owned a matte box.
All that said, I still get e-mails weekly asking for ideas on affordable matte box recommendations. With that in mind, the most affordable matte box I’ve found is made by PROAIM. I don’t care for a lot of PROAIM’s rigs but their matte box is a good design at a reasonable price. You can find the PROAIM DSLR matte box on ebay for $249, it’s more affordable then most of the matte boxes on the net and it mounts on rails, which is better then some of the clip on matte boxes out there
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March 15th, 2011 at 12:51 pm
Matte boxes on DSLR are useful as client tools. If you don’t use them you will be asked – what you shoot with that camera? If you are a grown up Dop you stand that, otherwise buy a matte box.
March 15th, 2011 at 1:07 pm
1 advantage of the matte box is they allow for using 1 set of filters. Instead of having to buy different size filters for all your different lenses – which have different diameters on the front.
But I wouldn’t use one on a DSLR – it takes away from the camera being quick and small to shoot with.
Nice site!
March 15th, 2011 at 2:35 pm
I lucked out. The 35mm f1.4, 50mm f1.2, and 85mm f1.2 primes all have a 72mm filter size and most of my zooms use 77mm so I haven’t had to buy a whole lot of filters.
March 15th, 2011 at 1:39 pm
It’s also a bit of a transition thing. Cinematographers are used to using matte boxes and continue to do so even though they’re using DSLR’s to shoot with. Perhaps in the future, they’ll stop using it. Who knows….
March 16th, 2011 at 12:51 pm
Matte boxes for DSLR were made for people with glass, and clients to feel like the end result will be better because you have FOUR barn doors.
July 22nd, 2011 at 11:26 pm
im buying one just for looks, it sounds stupid but a client will love it, will make you look more profesional and you will make an impression, we can look at it as an investment to getting more clients even thou you could create stunning images without one.
bottom line, client will be happy and thats what counts
awesome site, i already bought afew things thru here
September 16th, 2011 at 9:12 pm
I bought one with the follow focus and rig some time ago .. I was impressed with the solid build and if you carry 4X4 filters its the way to go. Clients do feel they are getting their money’s worth when they see the rig. Also the extra weight helps with dolly moves.
The follow focus is kinda wanky but when you get the feel for it you can control with ease. I will buy a more expensive follow focus in the future but with a few takes the shot is usually captured. Overall It was the best price in its class. i just wish filters where cheaper..
September 25th, 2011 at 12:38 pm
[…] The 1/4 20 threads are in every position you could think of on this guy, so mounting microphones, monitors, counter weights, or whatever else you can think of should be very easy. The only mounting issue I see as a problem would be finding a good place to attach a follow focus or matte box. […]
February 9th, 2013 at 8:10 pm
Great post thanks for sharing, we will buy one to test it soon.