Robin Lambert is a leading freelance Director of Photography. London based, Robin travels the world on assignment.

International media organisations such as BBC, CNN, Channel 4, ARD and ZDF just to name a few, rely on Rob to bring back stunning images from the four corners of the globe . During a brief break in his busy schedule, we managed to catch up with Robin and talk about the Genus Matte Box. Here is what he had to say:

“I first discovered the Genus when writing articles for “Digital Video” magazine. I was looking for a matte box  for semi-professionals, or ‘prosumers’ which wouldn’t break the bank but would hold up to the rigours of wedding and event videography. The main broadcast brands cost about two thousand dollars, a sum which I knew videographers would be reluctant to pay. The alternatives were cheaper but not really up to the build quality needed for a box which would be regularly used ‘in anger and under fire.’ The requirements were that it had to be suitable for camcorders like the Canon XH range, the Sony XE and Z1 camcorders and the P2 prosumer series from Panasonic. What used to be called the “PD150” class. This meant that it had to be light, capable of being mounted directly on the lens, or on bars and taking standard 4” x 4” filters. After trying out a few different makes and models, we settled on the Genus as the best value for money for our readers. What particularly impressed me about the Genus was its compactness. This British designed matte box  has the same well thought out features as its more expensive competitors. Two filter trays, one rotating, one fixed, which will take four inch (100mm) size filters and a French flag which doubles nicely as a lens guard. The flag isn’t so wide that it gets in the way but it still provides adequate shade from above. Having the adjusting screws a bright blue is a nice touch, it means that you can find them quickly and easily.

For my test I used a Canon XH A1. It took a few minutes to match the Genus with the camera but this is a once-only operation. Once you’ve adjusted the matte box  to your particular camcorder, putting the matte box  on and taking it off is quick and simple. The Genus can be mounted directly on the lens and is light enough for this purpose but I prefer a belt and braces approach using bars as well. The result is a very attractive package and, let’s be honest here, looks are important too. For occasions where you want to impress a client, a matte box  adds kudos to any camcorder. The Genus worked well, didn’t get in the way of any of the controls and didn’t add an excessive amount of weight to the front of camera, which sometimes can be a problem. It’s been designed and manufactured for mid-sized camcorders and it does the job very well. The filters fit snugly in the holder and are held securely in place with a spring clip which is released by a knurled brass knob set neatly in the holder’s handle. You’re not going to release the filter accidentally but, on the other hand, you don’t have to take your gloves off either (unless you’re wearing Arctic mittens!). It has been said that the difference between a camera operator and a cinematographer is that the former has a lens shade, the latter has a matte box  on the front of his camcorder. Certainly filters can improve an image immensely, which is vital if you’re earning money from videography. However, there’s no point buying equipment which will take decades to pay for itself. A matte box  is a one-off purchase, you keep it when you sell your camcorder, so you need to be sure that you buy the right kit. In this respect the Genus is a good choice.”