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FLEX-TRACK DOLLY SYSTEM

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I think I am typical of many who comb the internet looking for an ever-expanding equipment list with an ever-constricting budget. When I saw a ghastly-affordable Matte Box for my HVX I thought it was too good to be true. Hearing good things about the DV version, however, I decided to give it a try, and I’m glad I did.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

When I first opened my Indie Snap! Matte Box, I was immediately struck by how light it was—feather-light and pretty. Something I thought was a nice touch was the inclusion of extra screws of each type as well as an instruction packet.

ASSEMBLY

The assembly of the unit was intuitive and simple. The instructions were clear and offered appropriate warnings like, “don’t over-tighten the screws, you’ll strip the aluminum,” and, “this is bigger than you’re used to so don’t hit your actors.”

MATERIALS AND WORKMANSHIP

The matte box itself is made from sheet aluminum, but I was immediately pleased with the build quality. The lines were straight, the curves, smooth, and everything looked intentional. The reinforced edges seemed machine-bent: no signs of struggle or distress. Bolts are well placed, spaced and consistent. Somebody took their time and materials seriously.

Since this is lightweight aluminum, you won’t want to have your matte box double as a stool or a seat cover: it will not survive an encounter with a rump. This is no flaw but the nature of the design—cost savings come with tradeoffs (you also may not want to throw it into your case attached to the camera).

The paint is a pleasant matte finish, very well matched to the HVX’s finish. It even had an egg-shell texture. The paint job itself is free of drips or other imperfections and is evenly distributed.

The filter assembly is a slide-in friction filter mount that is bolted to the aluminum. The hardware looks good, and the match is fairly seamless. It does not look like two pieced-together components.

The entire matte box assembly attaches to the camera by a screw-on adapter. You have to remove your HVX hood (which also eliminates the hood-cover (aka lens cap) for the HVX–you will need to be mindful of this). I noticed that the clear screw-on filter I got when I purchased the HVX did not come with outside threads. Consequently, I had to remove the protective filter to install the Snap box. (I suspect that a double-threaded filter would handle the weight of the box nicely.)

The assembly has to be slid on from the bottom (the HVX’ mic is in the way from above). Once it slides on, three pegs are pushed forward to hold the matte box around the circular adapter. These pegs then allow rotation around the circumference of the adapter. Two screws hold the box once you’ve reached the attitude you desire (for, e.g., a polarizing filter).

FILTER HOLDER

I inserted a 4x4 Formatt polarizing filter, and it was held in place snuggly by the contoured rubber friction-mount. Anything that will jar it loose will be more than you want happening to your camera anyway.

FLAGS

The matte box is quite nice looking without the top or side flags, and I suspect most people will get by quite nicely without them.
But, it can’t hurt to have them on hand (see below).

A minor weakness of this matte box is that the filter slots are un-capped, and may allow light from just north of directly above the camera to strike the lens:

Though it is (IMO) a small issue, it’s not an insurmountable one. Another desire that some have expressed is to see adjustable flags, but that would most likely require design and materials that would put his product out of fiscal reach (and see below).

FUNCTIONALITY

OK. So much for how it looks from outside the camera. How does it look from the inside peering out? (I was thinking how great it would be to have some kind of camera-cam to get a camera POV, but then realized that’s kinda what a camera is all by itself.)

So I took the Matte box and camera outside into the Glorious Chicago overcast weather. I then came back inside because it was Glorious Chicago overcast weather. As far as the filter’s effectiveness with the 16:9 aspect, there was no vignetting present at all, even when I slipped the filter down some. Rotating the box also had no effect on the field of view. Of course my polarizer didn’t really make the ceiling pop like it normally does the sky, but that is hardly the Snap’s fault.

The angle of view obtainable without lens flare from the lights is approximately as follows.Side Flare: With the stock HVX lens hood the angle at which light is allowed to strike the lens is something like 37 degrees from the side. With the matte box alone (no French flags) the angle is actually slightly less, at about 33 degrees. The French flags, however block light to a healthy 50 degrees. It seems worth it to me to get the flags, but if you don’t, you are still getting approximately what the HVX gives alone.Top Flare: With the stock HVX lens hood the angle at which light is allowed to strike the lens from above is also something like 37 degrees. The matte box alone provides an additional 13 degrees or so (to about 50), and the top flag rockets the angle to 70 degrees.
SUMMARY AND EVALUATION

This matte box is a real breath of fresh air for those who don’t have large production budgets, but for whatever reason need a matte box:1. If you need it to be a sexy image upgrade, the Indie Snap box will cover you, and then some.2. If you need light-blocking, the only consideration is the relatively rare 10-17 degree angle from above. For the money, frankly, gaffers tape will take care of the 1? times a year that will be an issue. I'd also recommend getting the side flags.3. If you need a filter-mount, this will hold two thick and perhaps one thin filter, and so fits the bill there.So, what this box is: an affordable, attractive, and well made solution. What this box is not: a $1500.00 Chrosziel. In fact, if the Chrosziel were a tuxedo, and if the Cinetactics were a pair of sweat pants, and if the Cavision were a laborer’s coveralls, then the Indie Snap box would be a great pair of cotton khakis. It is good enough to be taken just about anywhere, will get the job done, and if you keep it ironed, you can take it to a nice restaurant.

As a huge money-saver, you will need to work around some limitations. But having said that, the limitations are very negotiable. I give it an unqualified and enthusiastic recommendation.


Once it was on the HVX, it was solid. There was no wobble or jiggle, and it is light enough not to affect the balance of the camera appreciably. With the flags installed, it is quite a presence, adding 60% to the overall length of the camera, and more than doubling its width. The box does extend below the base of the camera, so you will not want to put the camera down on a table—I found that a good book will lift the camera enough to clear the box. In any event, it looks significantly manly to impress even the most demanding of TV drama-series superstars. (If this isn’t big enough, maybe someone could rig up a soft box to the lens.)

With the appropriate adapter, it should fit on the end of a 35mm lens, but any rod system will have to be kept within clearance of the box bottom (and rotating it might be an issue when the corners revolve around.)

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DV Matte Box

Jordan (San Francisco, CA)

I picked up all the pieces and the side flags and realized to my amazement how feather lite it actully was. I followed the great instruction book, and ajusted the mattebox and inserted my "P series" filters. They fit in very snug and the mattebox instantly made my camera look like a small hollywood cam. This mattebox does EVERYTHING it claims to do and does it DAMN well. I look forward to purchasing products from indiesnap in the near future when they develop thier other products. This is truely an indie film makers budget and quality dream. Thanks for the great product!

Kelly – Santa Monica , California

Well I got one of these with the flags on the sides. Just arrived yesterday. For the money in comparison to what is out there in the market for much much more I have to say that it is pretty nice.

You do have to be careful about swinging the camera around if handheld just like the instructions mention because you have added length but I don't really think anybody would be shooting that close to anything. But you would have to be careful with any flag system anyway.

You can still use standard screw in filters if you have them and don't want to replace them. This was a big plus for me. As long as the filter has the ability to stack another filter (as almost of them, if not all of them do) then you just screw the mattebox adapter to the filter threads then put on the box.

And of course, you just made your camera look like a small Panavision. Put it on a really nice tripod and you really have a great looking set up and admit it, we all like our gear to look cool. There is a soft sided French flag thing out there for a little less money and it is put on with elastic bands and I don't think it holds filters. Not even close in usefulness or giving a pro look compared to this one.

All in all I'd say if you are in the market and looking to save $700 to $1000 then this will really fit your needs.

These statements have not been prompted or asked for and nothing in return has been given to me. I paid full price. However, I am not above accepting gratuities in the future.

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Tim – Apple Valley , California

As young aspiring filmmakers we have very limited choices when it comes to an affordable mattebox. I always find myself teetering between a purchase I “need” and a purchase I “want.” This is especially the case in regards to a mattebox. Can I really justify spending $500-$1000 on a mattebox? Sometimes I feel like I need to in order to get one that gets the job done technically and (of course) aesthetically. For instance, I like the price of the cinetactics matteblox, but I don’t care for how it looks. I like the looks of the Formatt 500, but I don’t care for the way it mounts to the front of the lens (I’ve never heard of definitive problems with the mount, some people just aren’t comfortable having that much weight on the front of the lens). When choosing between purchasing a nice microphone or a nice mattebox, I just can’t justify going for the mattebox. Finally, we as consumers have another reason not to file bankruptcy, and it comes in the form of the indie snap! mattebox with French flag/side flags. If you are looking for a mattebox that looks good, holds filters and is relatively pro-looking, then the indie snap! is a damn good choice. It’s kinda hard to go wrong with the purchase. Below are some descriptions of the things that this mattebox is/isn’t good for.

Installation to the camera: I read the directions, but anyone with a brain will find it very easy to install. You basically slide the box, upside down onto the adapter ring that comes with it, spin it around until it is upright then tighten the screws to secure it. The unit is very light and I am not worried at all whether the lens can handle the weight or not.

Filter holders: I received some 84 mm filters w/ the unit (sold separately), and they fit very nicely into the filter holders. They feel very snug, which is important to anyone who has spent some money on some nice filters.

French Flag/Side Flags: The French flag that comes with it is mounted via 2 star knobs that screw directly through the flag and into the top of the unit. The knobs are a bit big, but really don’t inhibit anything. The French flag is NOT adjustable. Since it is screwed on, there is no swivel action. I would like to have seen an adjustable flag, but doubt it is very plausible at this price range. The side flags are mounted the same way, and also do not adjust. When ordering, you have a choice to buy the mattebox w/ just the French flag, or with the additional side flags. Personally, I don’t think I would spend the extra $ for the extra side flags, but that’s just because I don’t think I would use them.

Durability: The indie snap! Is made of aluminum, so if you are a clumsy sasquatch, then this unit might not be for you. It will not handle the weight of you stepping on it! That being said, most matte boxes that cost a lot more wouldn’t either. You don’t need to treat it like a newborn, but some care will go a long way in ensuring the longevity of this unit.

Aesthetics: Your camera will definitely receive some instant edification when you put the indie snap! on. It really does look pretty cool/expensive. If you’re looking to impress clients/actors, I think it will do the trick. If you’re looking to impress girls, you need to remember that you’re a film geek, and girls care less about your new mattebox.

Overview: You really can’t go wrong at this price range. I am really surprised more people haven’t gotten into inventing affordable units like this. For aspiring filmmakers, wedding videographers, music video directors etc, this unit will be a great compliment. If you have been around the block, want a top of the line product that’s built like a tank, you need not bother. If you’re looking for a decent product to add to your arsenal at a decent price, I’d definitely recommend it

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Richard - Martinez ,  CA I love it! like your manual too.

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Steve - Long Beach, CA

Your written directions are clever...script and all. 
They are also easy to follow and understand. 
Just got this Matte Box for my PD-150 & DSR-250 cams (Also available for Panasonic & Canon). It's extremely light and snaps on to a screw mount that fits inside the cam's standard lens. It's made of very lightweight aluminum so I got an aluminum tool case from Home depot for $20.00 to protect it, the French Flag, Side flags and the filters. Set up is a breeze and it can be rotated for a polarizer. You just have to be careful to not over tighten the knobs that attach the flags. I'm an old film guy and have not been satisfied with "post" software filters. Not to mention the rendering times.
IMHO nothing really does as good a job as real filters. But using filters takes time to learn, too.

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