By technical editor Matt Allard:
Letus LTMB1 Mattebox Review from Matthew Allard on Vimeo.
Using Neutral Density (ND) faders when shooting DSLR video can be tricky. What if there was a mattebox that offered the same functionality as ND faders with greater control and the advantages of being able to use multiple filters? Well the Letus LTMB1 in combination with the company’s circular polarizer does just that. It is part of the Shane Hurlbut Master Cinema Series and can be a purchased with the MCS ManCam, MCS ShoulderCam and MCS StudioCam bundles. It can also be purchased separately.
The MCS line of products were developed jointly by Letus and Shane. The rigs were used extensively on the Hollywood action movie “Act Of Valor” – which was shot mainly on DSLRs.
Features (from the Letus website):
– All aluminum parts are CNC machined out of high grade aluminum sourced from Switzerland
– Resin parts are extreme durability polymers to withstand the rigors of production
– 3-4 stage matte box including the 138mm circular polarizer holder
– Innovative ARF (Anti-reflection Tray) prevents light reflection into actors face when backlit
– Matte box holds two (2) 4×5.65 filters at an angle or three (3) 4×5.65 filters straight
– Includes a 138mm round filter tray for circular polarizer
– Circular polarizer can be rotated via a small wheel at the top
– Marking window on matte box to mark polarizer positions for easy repeatability
– Pop-up filter spring to easily remove circular polarizer
– Matte box is a light-weight clamp on design with easily interchangeable lens clamps (80mm, 114mm)
– Rail mount is included for mounting matte box to 15mm support rods
– Optional top and side flags and eybrows available for fully kitting out the matte box
– Optional lens clamps available for simple clamp-on functionanlity (highly recommended)
More information about the matte box can be found here.
About Matthew Allard, Aljazeera Senior Field Cameraman, Kuala Lumpur:
Matt has been a Camera/Editor in TV news for more 20 years, previously working for both Channel 9 and Channel 10 in Australia. Twice Network Ten Australia’s cameraman of the year as well as being a Walkley Finalist for outstanding camerawork in 2006 (for coverage of the Cronulla Race Riots) and a Logie Finalist for outstanding news coverage 2006 (Bali 9). He is a multiple ACS (Australian Cinematographers Society) award winner. His Sword Maker story that was shot on a 7D won the prestigious Neil Davis International News Golden Tripod at the 2011 ACS Awards. He has covered news events in more than 35 countries, from major sporting events to terrorist bombings. Based out of the Kuala Lumpur broadcast centre in Malaysia he is an avid user and follower of new technology, shooting stories on HD broadcast cameras, the Sony F3 as well as new Canon DSLRs.
