Fotga DP3000 M3 4x4 Swing-Away Matte Box for 15mm Rail Follow Focus Rig DSLR Mirrorless Camera Canon EOS R EOS-1D X 5D 5DS R 6D 7D II III IV Nikon Z6 Z7 D5 D850 Sony A7 A7R A7S II III IV A7IV BMPCC 4K

*My four-star rating is based on the product's price, and is not intended to be a comparison to professional models
br>What does a matte box do? According to many reviews on this site, it is to appear professional. My clients seem more concerned with the end result than with how professional I appear during the shoot. They also hire me before they see my equipment, so I'm not sure how this would affect their perception of me. If you need a matte box to make your project look more professional, they sell $20 matte boxes that will suffice. br>br>I highly recommend this matte box to anyone looking for a matte box for its intended purpose on a budget. I have a business friend who has chastised me for not purchasing a more expensive product. a high-end matte box with a well-known brand name I'm going to tell you what I said to him. When I need it, it holds filters and prevents flares. Beyond that, what does the $1,000 version do? That, after all, is the whole point. This is an excellent option if you want to up your game by using filters in your work. If you have multiple lenses with different thread sizes, like me, finding the right adaptors for the right lens filter can be a pain on fast shoots. Yes, 4x4 filters cost more than screw-on filters. They can, however, be used with any lens or rig. Switching lenses is a breeze with the swing away, and the adjustable filter holder is ideal for dialing in any graduated filters you may have in your bag. Filters can be stacked in two holders to create unique effects. My camera has built-in ND filters, but even if yours doesn't, you'll be able to stop down excess light while still adding a look to your shots. It's a win-win situation for all parties involved. The construction is of good quality. br>br> The flags are flimsy, but they shouldn't be subjected to much abuse (aside from normal scratching wear and tear). The box itself is sturdy and appears to be built to last, but the filter holders themselves are of poor quality. When you get them out of the box, they're a little flimsy, but that's not a big deal. br>br>The packaging falls into the "no frills" category, as many other reviewers have mentioned. My package was encased in several layers of plastic wrap. But I had all of my pieces, and nothing was broken. br>br>In the end, if you want to start building a filter collection to give your films/videos a professional look, this is a great place to start because it won't break the bank and it will do exactly what you need. It's simple to assemble and operate, and the swing away feature is extremely useful; if you're only interested in how it looks, go ahead. It also appears to be very appealing.

Cohen Welch

| Feb 03, 2021

The build quality and versatility of this matte box have pleasantly surprised me. I recently purchased a Fuji X-T2 digital camera. I'm working on a video rig for the H1, which will be based on a SmallRig cage and accessories. Here are some of my favorite features:br>br>Swing away: This is a nice-to-have item. It's a nice feature to have, but it's not necessary. It makes changing lenses, making adjustments, and so on a lot easier. br>br>Two rotating filter slots: ND filters will be used. I'll be able to use an ND filter in addition to a Black Magic or other filter because there are two slots. br>br>Overall, it's a well-built structure: For the price, it appears to be well constructed. I've worked in television, film, and professional still photography, so I'm familiar with high-end construction. I would have purchased a professional matte box if I were using a professional rig for professional work. This one, on the other hand, appears to be perfectly adequate for light to medium use. niggles: br>br> The box is held in place by a shaky post. This does not appear to be affecting performance; it is what it is, and it causes me to deduct a star for toughness. The donut material isn't particularly durable, and I can see it breaking down over time. I took another reviewer's advice and ordered rubber lens hoods to use instead of swapping out the donuts, in the hopes of avoiding the need for nun's knickers. Responses to other people's concerns: br>br> The flags are easily scratched, according to one review. I haven't used the rig long enough to know, but I always pack my gear carefully for transport, and I intend to remove the flags before storing it. I also intend to place each flag in its own protective pouch to avoid any metal-on-metal contact. rubbing the metal br>br>It has been reported that the flags have arrived bent. My lines were absolutely perfect. br>br>Another reviewer expressed concern over the metal flags' thinness. They appear to be thick enough for everyday use. use in the workplace They would add significant weight to the unit if they were any thicker. Finally, take a look at your setup. I have a rod holder mounted to the front of my SmallRig Cage, as previously stated. While this works fine with my long lens support, the distance between the rails and the lens, even with my gripped X-ray, is a little too long. Even with the matte box set to its lowest setting, H1 is insufficient to center the lens in the matte box. To go underneath the cage, I've added a SmallRig adjustable base plate with rod slots.

Tatum Krause

| Jun 25, 2021