How do matte boxes work

The same way barn doors work to shape light on your LEDs. There are a variety of filters that work to even out light, soften light, or even create special effects. Sometimes, light is positioned in such a way that hits the subject perfectly, but unwanted light rays land on your lens. These unwanted rays can result in lens flares or other distortions that affect your image quality.

Rather than be forced to change the entire frame by moving the camera, you can use a matte box to cut the light out. A matte box also generates consistency across your images.

This can work from scene to scene and across camera to camera. For example, you are filming an interview on a two camera set up, one camera looks perfect, but the other has a lens flare due to the sun or artificial light source. You could use a matte box to cut the light from that secondary camera, making the footage from each camera look relatively the same. A matte box has some advantages over standard screw-on filters.

Using a matte box can save you from bringing additional light shaping tools like flags or scrims. Work with both handheld and studio setups? Zip Box Pro also has the same lightweight and compact form factor as the original Zip Box, but comes with some extra tools for adaptability. It holds up to 3 filters that are secured via an adjustable spring-loaded latch on the top of the matte box, which makes it easier to install and remove filters. Sizes are based on your outside lens diameter. Whether you work on documentaries, commercials, or high-end feature films, this matte boxe packs all of the features you need for different shooting styles and productions.

What makes the UMB-1 line exceptional are the rotating 4x5. Need to be mobile? UMB-1 can be clamped on for lightweight shooting.

The UMB-1 comes in 4 models with unique additions to each one. A matte box is basically a rectangular frame called a matte that you attach at the front of your lens. A matte box can have the following parts:. Each system is different, but at least you know which parts to pick. You can classify matte boxes into two broad groups:. In lens mounted matte boxes, the frame and everything else is supported by the lens. Needless to say, the matte box must be light enough to not stress the lens or the lens mount.

This truly benefits run-and-gun style filmmaking. Lens mounted matte boxes are also light-weight. To avoid this second problem, some kits come with adapter rings for various lens diameters. If you know the filter size of your lens, you could use Lens Adapter Rings corresponding to the filter thread diameter of your lens. By wrapping around the lens nuns knickers also prevent light from leaking into the lens.

Want something more versatile? As a general rule of thumb: Always mount a matte box on rods unless there is no alternative. A rod mounted matte box is one that rests on rods and not on the lens. Light lens mounted matte boxes can also be fitted with rod support, as shown above. Rod mounted matte boxes have the advantage of being fixed on the rig, so if you want to change lenses, all you have to do is move the matte box a little. The second advantage is that of weight.

Weight can be an advantage, as we will see later. For example, some folks like to use them for intentional vignetting. There are different types of matte boxes but they perform similarly to a lens hood.

They range in size and weight and attach to different parts of the body or the lens, depending on the support that you have for your setup. A lot of the time, they can be attached to a rod system that is attached to the underside of the camera body. The rods run the length of the unit to help support the weight that is in front.

Rod systems are usually the main options when it comes to heavier-duty style matte boxes that are larger or will hold more filters. The rod system is designed to take weight off of the lens itself. Lightweight matte boxes are recommended more for handheld shooting or for use without filters. There are matte box types that you can use with only specific types of rod sizes or proprietary camera brands.

Others have moveable filter holders and bellows that let you position the sunshade at different angles if using different-sized lenses. There are some where the filter trays can be removed and stacked accordingly. Here is a quick breakdown of what we currently offer:. As a camera assistant, there were a few things that I kept in my bag that made matte boxes my best friend. The first item was paper tape.

Next was a neoprene mouse pad.