SOT - Indian Matte box / follow focus

corug7 wrote on 6/23/2008, 2:13 PM
I am well aware that you get what you pay for, but having said that, has anyone here had any experience with the Matte boxes, follow focus, etc. coming out of India? Examples:

Follow Focus
http://cgi.ebay.com/CINE-Follow-Focus-Gear-set-xl1-xl2-PDW-350L-pmw-ex1-z1_W0QQitemZ350072985811QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item350072985811&_trkparms=72%3A552%7C39%3A1%7C65%3A12&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Matte Box
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370061982735&ih=024&category=43479&_trksid=p3286.m7&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26its%3DK%252BD%252BC%26otn%3D2%26po%3DOp1%26ps%3D5

The build quality is hard to divine from the pictures, and it does appear that the follow focus might not work with the rails, but one or the other on its own would be a decent deal. Thanks.

Corey

Comments

farss wrote on 6/23/2008, 2:44 PM
From what I hear elsewhere the matte box is sort of functional with a bit of rework. When it comes to FF gear even some of the quite expensive units are less than useless. FreshDV have a video of them testing a variety of units and a couple of videos on how they're used and a focus pullers job. If you're going to buy FF gear keep in mind you also need a whip and crank handle.
If you're going to buy a matte box don't forget to allow for the cost of filters to go into it as well. We just bought a very basic set of NDs, that alone was over $1,000. Allow for extra filter holders too, getting the filters into the trays is best not done under pressure.
We just bought the complete Chrozy kit for our EX1s, even the matt black paint is something special, it is uber black! As the salesman we bought it from who also moonlights as a camera op said, if you can't afford the good kit, how are you going to pay your 1st AC, once you get into this stuff you need one. I'd also point out that the good kit holds it's value very well, I've seen 30 year old Arri matte boxes sell for new prices at auction.

Aside from all that if you just want a cheap way to mount cheap filters the Cokin system is a very cheap solution. A basic sox over the setup to wrangle stray light and you're good to go for peanuts, check around on eBay.

Bob.
corug7 wrote on 6/23/2008, 6:50 PM
Thanks for the reply. I was going to ask about Cokin filters as well. I know there are trade offs, but how do the resin filters hold up compared to glass? FWIW, I'm shooting with an FX1 now but will be working with an EX1 in the near future, mostly for event and corporate work.

1st AC? Yeah, not really an option in my line, unless I have an intern shadowing :-)
richard-courtney wrote on 6/23/2008, 7:59 PM
Bob, I have to disagree with you about the Cokin system. It is cheap but a
better lower cost way IMO is Cinetactics.com's Matteblox system. The Cokin
filter line can still be used with Mattebox with a Velcro holder they offer.

I have had both and feel you won't be happy in the long run going too cheap.
farss wrote on 6/23/2008, 8:20 PM
Good point, not really dissagreeing with me at all, I'd just forgotten about that little matte box and we do have one and it's great value. As it folds up into a little pouch you don't also need serious flight cases to hold it as well.

Corrug7:

Resin filters are OK but they scratch easily but do bounce better than glass. If you spend the money on good glass filter then the better matte boxes that grab the filter trays are money well spent as it's almost impossible to drop a filter out the bottom of the box. No matter what buy good lens cleaner and cloths, Pancro makes the best lens cleaner I'm told.
If you have an EX1 / EX3 on the horizon probably I'd save up the money for the Chrozy kit, we got ours with rods etc for AUD $1400 I think which is pretty good value. Also I hear Arri have announced a line of lower priced matte boxes and FF gear to suit the budget of a wider range of people.

Regarding FF gear and racking focus yourself. This came up on another forum and general agreement amongst the pros was it's very hard. Your best shot is to fit a longish crank, then you can judge where you're focusing to by feel, turning the knob or a whip doesn't work out.

Hope this helps.

Bob.
Cheno wrote on 6/23/2008, 9:25 PM
Corey,

The Indian stuff is cheap knock-offs of more well know products. I agree with Farss, save up and spend money on quality accessories.

The IndiFocus mattebox and follow focus come with good reviews. You may want to look into them.

I'm using a Redrock Micro FF and a Hyson Films mattebox. Redrocks new mattebox though looks awesome and I'm awaiting mine.

I had a Matteblox and while nice, I'd prefer a more solid one that takes filters a bit better. I haven't tried their HD one but owned an SD one.

not to push other forums but dvinfo.net and dvxuser.com have a TON of information in these areas. They may be of some help as well.

cheno
TimTyler wrote on 6/24/2008, 7:58 AM
Since I figured I had nothing to lose due to their low cost, I bought both the follow focus and the matte box from India six months ago.

Well, neither gets much use. Both are poorly made.

The FF has too much play to be effective. I had to replace the screw that holds the slide-rail to the rod support because the included one was not long enough to loosen without the unit separating and falling apart. The knob/gearbox connection stripped after one minute of use and I had to epoxy that back together. The gear rings are not sized as described and there are some size lenses that cannot be fit to rings.

The matte box is a tad better, but the filter trays are not deep enough to hold standard Schnieder or Tiffen filters without them popping out. I had to replace the plastic rod-support part of the matte box with a metal one because the plastic was too tight to adjust on the rails without completely removing the tightening screw. It also could not be adjusted vertically with the plastic part.

The real problem with both these devices is that they are not manufactured to "exact" specs. They're just close. And that's not good enough.

You get what you pay for.
corug7 wrote on 6/24/2008, 7:26 PM
Thanks everyone, that is exactly what I needed to know.

Last question... Anton Bauer Dionic 90's or Genuine Sony batteries?

Thanks again.

Corey
farss wrote on 6/24/2008, 7:41 PM
Two different mounting systems.
The AB mounting system seems more robust to me than V Lock.

We're getting good mileage out of some Chinese batteries sold down here under the "Comer" brand name. Available in AB or V Lock.
Don't overlook IDX either, not as cheap as the Chinese stuff though.

Bob.