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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Motion Mount or Mattebox?

Daniel Christensen

Daniel Christensen

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My work requires a lot of run and gun. Weddings and documentaries, primarily, with some narrative stuff now and again. My original plan had been to get a Oconnor Obox, since it's really light and strong and mounts to 15mm lightweight rods. However, the more I think about it, the mattebox for $2000, and then a semi full set of filters for another $1500ish, hat's approaching the cost of a motion mount. Plus you get all the global shutter goodies. And that would shave off a bit of weight from the whole rig. So my question mainly is, is the light loss that comes automatically with the motion mount too much? Or is it overcomeable with a fast lens and/or the Dragon sensor? It seems like a really good option for me.

Thoughts?
 
Jack Shanahan said:
A mattebox does more than just allow filters - Its also flags stray light...
Click to expand...

That is true. I didn't think of that as I was writing my original post.
 
Filters can add more weight (lol)

I like my setup to be lightest possible (best for handheld stabilized gimbals). I uses both, DSMC Motion Mounts (love it) for filters and Light weight matte for Flags (only if requires).
 
horses for courses...if you plan to rent your camera it will be good to have a mattebox and a nd kit
 
To be perfectly honest you need both. BUT, if you can only buy one first, and working fast really is of upmost importance, then motion mount all the way.
 
As has already been said, you can not substitute one for the other.

While the Motion Mounts, will provide an electronic variable ND set, additionally to represent a huge step forward in Global Shutter function and soft shutter, it does not offer any shade in front of your lens, and that is what is most needed to give your images the added contrast, and better color rendition, which would be otherwise lost do to strays of light been allowed to hit the front elements and filter thru the lens on to the filter it self, and while the Electronic ND in your Motion Mount will most definitely filter some, it will not filter all, no matter the strength it is set on.

Additionally, the use of them Motion Mount, does not completely eliminate the need to use stronger ND's, such even a .9 to a even 1.2, additionally the use of a Rotating Circular Polarizer might also be needed in some shots, and of course many will still look ot filter their shot for particular look.

But the great thing about the Motion Mount, is that if and when a Matte Box is needed, it will in most cases, only need to have a ONE STAGE, making it lighter and more compact.
 
Daniel Christensen said:
My work requires a lot of run and gun. Weddings and documentaries, primarily, with some narrative stuff now and again. My original plan had been to get a Oconnor Obox, since it's really light and strong and mounts to 15mm lightweight rods. However, the more I think about it, the mattebox for $2000, and then a semi full set of filters for another $1500ish, hat's approaching the cost of a motion mount. Plus you get all the global shutter goodies. And that would shave off a bit of weight from the whole rig. So my question mainly is, is the light loss that comes automatically with the motion mount too much? Or is it overcomeable with a fast lens and/or the Dragon sensor? It seems like a really good option for me.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

I am assuming with the kind of work you do you are using an EF mount with zoom lenses... which already have their own hood. I honestly don't think you need either Motion Mount or Matte Box for documentary work. The DR and IQ of dragon will allow you to readjust ISO to adapt to most shooting scenarios allowing you to stay in between 2.8 and 5.6, except on the hottest of days where you may need to throw and ND 3 or 4 on.

I honestly think it is overkill for your meat and potatoes work. For narrative work on the other hand - Matte box, without a question of a doubt. The motion mount is just a luxury item in this production world, not a necessity for most shoots. And you will instantly loose a massive amount of sensitivity (effectively, when shooting with dragon at 2000, it will seem somewhere in between 640 and 800... )

Ps. "Can be overcome" not "Overcomable" ;)
 
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If you are trying to gauge the importance of a matte box, then hold a sheet on top and then on the sides and see how it impacts the image. You will be surprised that despite the attached lens hoods of EF lenses, matte box has a role to play. I have even had assistants hold an umbrella over the lens. A matte box really improves the contrast and hence the sharpness and also the colours come out well.

Anyone using Obox with 19mm adapter?
 
I've used mine w/ 19mm before.

Also, if you do get the motion mount, you will need to get a 1/4 Wave Retarder filter when you want the effect of a polarizer.

And regarding the loss in sensitivity with motion mount, 800 is just fine in my opinion, otherwise I'm always fighting stray ambient light
 
Just to clarify: motion mount needs a quarter wave plate filter instead of a circular polarizer for the same effect.

Edit: sorry jake, missed your post..
 
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