-
Matte box for looks?
I have been in this business for a long time, and really, never cared about my “professional appearance” on a shoot. (Well, I dress nice; I’m talking about the gear). I sell my clients on the work, not the tools I use. For me, it is not about the camera, but the talents of the guy behind it.
However, I recently learned that some clients were worried when I showed up to a high-end shoot with a DSLR. They were a little nervous. They did not share this with me until after they seen and were delighted with the final product, but more than one person mentioned this! These were interviews with a light kit, boom mic, lav mic, audio recorder, obviously a tripod, yet they were worried why I was using a “still” camera.
I think I need what I’ve heard others mention – a matte box. Can anyone recommend an inexpensive one? For the life of me, I cannot imagine using it with filters and I actually LIKE the occasional lens flare. I have managed 20+ years in this business without one and I have a hard time justifying $800 for one. Any suggestions?
-
21 Replies
-
B & H have a huge range of matte boxes at an equally large price range, it’s probably good place to start looking.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Matte-Boxes/ci/16498/N/4279260956Cinematographer, Steadicam Operator, Final Cut Pro Post Production.
https://www.steadi-onfilms.com.au/ -
B&H is a great place to start for that kind of thing … tough to beat the prices of one of the biggest box houses for items that don’t require any pre-sale guidance, after-sale support, etc. You might also consider that matte boxes are often available used and are low-risk to buy used, unlike critical components like cams.
By the way, I totally understand your frustration with the silliness of having to concern yourself with “professional appearance” for gear. At the same time, I consider the importance of that subject to be one of the most valuable lessons I was lucky enough to learn (repeatedly) from a business owner I worked for early in my career … and, I think part of it’s value comes from the fact that it’s so rarely considered or addressed. I’ve seen many times that, if a client doesn’t have confidence out of the gate, their doubts can often become a self-fulfilling prophecy as they insert themselves in the process in ways and places that they otherwise wouldn’t.
All these years later, I work for a large corporation and, when equipping our facilities, I made a point to factor in that most of our clients are very wealthy individuals with coinciding expectations. In addition to the functional uses for our studio and edit suites, they also serve as important show pieces for VIPs and similar uses. So, even though a handycam and a toss-up backdrop would do for 50% of our production needs, our studio is now equipped with full-size ENG cameras in partial studio configs, as well as a custom designed and dressed set (all of which is necessary for the other 50% of needs, but that’s off-topic). And, yes, the cams have matte boxes … primarily because they’re needed in our environment for flares, quick filter swaps and lens protection, but I’d be lying if I said appearance isn’t a factor I consider just as important as those other needs.
Just my two pence … hope its helpful.
-
I’ve used B&H for years and started there. I think I will try eBay. I just hate to spend 50% what I spent on the camera. Besides, I love traveling light, with as little gear as possible. Right now, I can show up to a shoot, by myself, with just one trip from the car. A matte box will be something else I need to try to fit in the bag. 🙁
Lately I have been showing up with my Sony EX1 around my shoulder as I run around shooting b-roll with the DSLR. At least they know I have a couple camera choices. 🙂
-
I hear ya, but I would guess that a matte box for a DSLR will be pretty small.
B&H has a used department too, as do most of the other big resellers like Adorama. Or, you could buy a non-functional yet impressive-looking shell of and old BetaCam from your local pro video repair shop for $20 and set it up next to your DSLR. ;~) Would blow the travel light plan out of the water though.
-
Matte boxes serve a purpose, they are important beyond making you look more pro. They are also just part of a system, In most cases you need a rail system to mount them to. Then of course there are the filters.
But I cannot believe that people would use a DSLR camera on a shoot without discussing it with the client. If someone put off by a still camera my guess would be, they would be put off by a still camera with a matte box.
Like Darrell stated once the client saw the results they were sold, but they should be sold before the start of the shoot. Just show them examples and simple say, I’m going to use the camera I shoot this with. Just my 2 cents.
-
In the above example, my client is a PR firm who I have worked with for many years and completely trusts me. It is THEIR client that I was shooting. No one had any objections the day of the shoot, it is just that afterwards, they mentioned to the PR firm they were shocked by the quality because such a small camera was used. They were holding off giving us other jobs until they seen the result BECAUSE OF THE GEAR.
Funny – I just never really thought the person in front of the camera gave any notice to the gear.
-
[Darrell Boeck] I just never really thought the person in front of the camera gave any notice to the gear.
In the scenarios I described earlier in the thread, the people in front of the camera are rarely in that position for the first time and, in my case, have often been in that position for higher-end productions. So, yes, they absolutely are aware of the difference between sitting in front of a film rig with a dozen crew scurrying around them and the other end of the spectrum, which is one of many reasons a handycam and a toss-up backdrop just wouldn’t do for us … despite the intermediary clients’ common desire to do everything mega-cheap, they generally eventually understand that the real client (their client) is the one who matters.
-
With all due respect, the client was nervous (and rightly so) because of all the known problems associated with shooting video on a still camera.
Who’s going to be taken more seriously, the guy who shows up to a “high end” shoot with a high end camera (even without a matte box) or the guy with his DSLR and a fancy new matte box (or even two matte boxes!)?
-
Ken, please… give me a break..
I had a Sony EX1 with me as a backup. Earlier in the shoot (over several months), I shot the interviews with both cameras. After seeing the results of the DSLR, it became pointless to continue using the EX1.
I know this post is silly about adding a matte box for looks. Fact is, I am NOT using a DSLR because they are cheap (I own two Sony EX1’s), I am using them because sometimes they are BETTER. Yes, like any tool they have their drawbacks.
Obviously you too are considering using them or you would not be surfing this forum. -
One more point Ken… I may be taken more seriously the day of the shoot with a high-end video camera, but I stand a better chance of booking the job by showing work shot with a DSLR.
Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up