OT: Does EX1 Mattebox Need Rails?

MH_Stevens wrote on 1/22/2008, 2:19 PM
Looks like I'll be ordering the EX1 tomorrow and I have decided on the CaVision matte box. I have been talking to CaVision and they seem to think the adapter ring is fine support without rails where as B&H who I will buy from only sell Matte-box with rails. Also I may have heard that the filter ring on the EX1 was not very strong and with the misalignment that happened to some of these early lenses I'm thinking rails is right but as they are an $200 I thought I would ask first.

Comments

farss wrote on 1/22/2008, 2:48 PM
The misalignment issue with the EX1 is VERY unlikely to have anything to do with having rails or not. It seems to relate to the alignment between the optical centre of the lens and the imager.

Rails do offer many advantages. The EX1 doesn't have a lot of places to mount anything. Rails let you mount things and as you've rightly noted also help hold the MB in place, taking the strain off the lens assembly. I'm rather partial to the Zacuto rail system myself as it's very modular.

Good rails are not a piece of extruded Al! The type of Al used for extrusion is unsuitable for use in rails. Good rails and fittings should allow you to undo the locking mechanism half a turn, slide the rail through, turn the knob back half a turn and have the rail lock. Such precision machining requires the use of the right material, the right anodising and tends to be expensive but in the long run pays for itself.

Bob.
richard-courtney wrote on 1/22/2008, 2:50 PM
I have a soft mattebox (Cinetactics matteblox as a sunshade) and it is the
ONLY thing I would trust without rails.

Keep in mind you have repair cost of the lens if you have an accident.
If you had glass in it (the other big reason for a mattebox) you will have the
cost of its' replacement too.

I'd go with them.

Serena wrote on 1/22/2008, 11:33 PM
Yes it does. Need rails. How much are the rails and how much is the camera?
MH_Stevens wrote on 1/23/2008, 2:08 AM
To digress a little. Any thoughts on using low contrast filters with the EX1 (or FX1) in very bright conditions?

Mike
Serena wrote on 1/23/2008, 3:48 AM
A low contrast or fog filter scatters light and some ends up in the darker areas of the image. Haven't used them with video but they work well with film when employed carefully and conservatively.