Matte Box Recommendations at DVinfo.net

Antony Michael Wilson · November 22nd, 2010, 11:16 AM

Hi Everyone

I realise that there are many matte box options for XF300/305 but I really need some help from other users. I'm looking for something well-built, with at least two 4X4 stages, with good access to the stages (so that the built-in mic doesn't get in the way) and with an option to use rails as well as clip-on. I'm prepared to pay extra for quality! So far, I'm considering Vocas, Petroff, Chrosziel and Cinevate. Does anyone have any experience with these?

Any help greatly appreciated.

Tony

Greg Kubitschek · November 22nd, 2010, 02:07 PM

I have used several matte boxes, inluding Chrosziel, Tiffen, Genus and CaVision. Currently I have a Vocas on my Canon XF305, and it's really is nice!

The parts were a little hard to get together here in the US, but it was well worth the money and time waiting. The MB-250 matte box has the ears inside the front that close down, and you'd be surprised at how often these can be used to shade the lens - without the need for an additional eyebrow. Attached, I can turn the rotating filter drawer around (to set a polarizer), It does have to be rotated to the camera right to pull the tray out. The back, non-rotating tray must be dropped through the bottom to remove. The rails do not interfere, but the mic on the camera prevents taking it out the top.

I use the MBS-100 rail support. It mounts to the camera nicely, and lets me keep the follow-focus on the rig while I can pull it from the tripos to do hand held work. The follow focus is nice too, with the new gear Vocas has, it locks nicely to the ring Canon has onthe lens. I like the FF fitting underneath the lens, because it keeps the unit compact and out of the way.

I lkie the Vocas because I also have the adapter rings to fit the matte box onto my Canon lenses for use on my DSLR rig. Changing this out is easy, and Vocas has engineered nifty little lock down tabs to make it clamp to the rail system or calmp onto the adapter rings.

Completely configured, I can keep the unit all together and I carry it in a large Kata bag. Depending on the shoot, I used to have to attach the matte box and accessories which took a lot of time and extra cases to lug around. Now it is all in one nice "package."

Like all good matteboxs, the system is not cheap, but I feel you get a very quality product for what you pay for. (looks really nice configured with the camera too!)

Greg Kubitschek · November 22nd, 2010, 02:32 PM

The Vocas MB-250 on my Canon XF-305

Antony Michael Wilson · November 23rd, 2010, 04:09 AM

Thanks Greg! That's a huge help. Vocas systems are definitely good and - I think - easier to get hold of here in the UK. Do you use a quick release tripod plate with your rails-based rig?

Thanks again

Tony

Greg Kubitschek · November 23rd, 2010, 02:41 PM

Yes, its the standard Manfrotto plate, on top of the new 504 head. Vocas sure engineered the system well. The folding shoulder steady mount on the rail system clears the sliding base plate and the tripod head when attaching it. I was taping a company event today with all the equipment attached to the camera and it was a dream to use!

Best of Luck

Jeff Anselmo · November 23rd, 2010, 09:43 PM

Hi Greg,

Thanks for sharing those pics!

Do you have any links to the Vocas model you bought?

Best,

Greg Kubitschek · November 24th, 2010, 01:21 PM

0250-2000 Kit (Originally packaged for DSLR shooters)

Consists of
MB-250 matte box
Flexible Adapter ring kit 0320-0010
Adjustable bar adapter 0360-0100

MBS-100 Type G4 15mm rails support with shoulder Bracket

MFC-1 Follow Focus
Drive Gear 0500-0121 (New-Made for Canon XF-300 and XF305)

Purchased them from BandH Photo as well as Abel Cine Tech.

Graham Bernard · June 14th, 2011, 10:12 PM

Greg, that rig looks great!

Have you tried it with Grads? How much travel do you get with the vertical positioning of the horizontal "grad-line", with the near proximity of the Canon mic, sitting over the MB? Likewise, how much rotation of the rotator can you get?

Back on the body of the Canon, how much rotational movement of the LCD screen can you achieve? It appears awfully close to the rear of the MB. Is it?

How easy is it to get to those buttons/controls near to the rails?

I've got a supplier sourcing this and a Chroziel. Your feedback on the Vocas, will give me your "real world" experience/view.

TIA

Grazie

Ken Hull · June 14th, 2011, 11:36 PM

Greg,
Thanks for posting those pictures. I can't tell if the LCD monitor can rotate freely with the mattebox attached. I see you have the LCD aimed slightly up. Can you also aim the LCD straight back, or slightly down?

Ken

Larry Cohen · June 15th, 2011, 06:55 AM

Hi Guys,
Just asking . . . when you cover the lens with this Mattebox, aren't you also covering up the little "fast focusing" lens element off on the right side of the lens too?? Thus making the lens autofocus not nearly as fast as it "should"?

Of course I'm sure you're manually focusing anyway -- but is my theory right?
Thanks,
Larry

Graham Bernard · June 15th, 2011, 08:43 AM

2 AFs on camera. The one you say AND through the lens proper.

Grazie

Greg Fiske · June 15th, 2011, 09:31 AM

Checkout this retailer, getting very good reviews.

U.S. special forces Zhuo

November 22nd, 2010, 11:16 AM	#1
Antony Michael Wilson Major Player Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 343	Matte Box Recommendations Hi Everyone I realise that there are many matte box options for XF300/305 but I really need some help from other users. I'm looking for something well-built, with at least two 4X4 stages, with good access to the stages (so that the built-in mic doesn't get in the way) and with an option to use rails as well as clip-on. I'm prepared to pay extra for quality! So far, I'm considering Vocas, Petroff, Chrosziel and Cinevate. Does anyone have any experience with these? Any help greatly appreciated. Tony

November 22nd, 2010, 02:07 PM	#2
Greg Kubitschek Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Posts: 34	Matte Boxes I have used several matte boxes, inluding Chrosziel, Tiffen, Genus and CaVision. Currently I have a Vocas on my Canon XF305, and it's really is nice! The parts were a little hard to get together here in the US, but it was well worth the money and time waiting. The MB-250 matte box has the ears inside the front that close down, and you'd be surprised at how often these can be used to shade the lens - without the need for an additional eyebrow. Attached, I can turn the rotating filter drawer around (to set a polarizer), It does have to be rotated to the camera right to pull the tray out. The back, non-rotating tray must be dropped through the bottom to remove. The rails do not interfere, but the mic on the camera prevents taking it out the top. I use the MBS-100 rail support. It mounts to the camera nicely, and lets me keep the follow-focus on the rig while I can pull it from the tripos to do hand held work. The follow focus is nice too, with the new gear Vocas has, it locks nicely to the ring Canon has onthe lens. I like the FF fitting underneath the lens, because it keeps the unit compact and out of the way. I lkie the Vocas because I also have the adapter rings to fit the matte box onto my Canon lenses for use on my DSLR rig. Changing this out is easy, and Vocas has engineered nifty little lock down tabs to make it clamp to the rail system or calmp onto the adapter rings. Completely configured, I can keep the unit all together and I carry it in a large Kata bag. Depending on the shoot, I used to have to attach the matte box and accessories which took a lot of time and extra cases to lug around. Now it is all in one nice "package." Like all good matteboxs, the system is not cheap, but I feel you get a very quality product for what you pay for. (looks really nice configured with the camera too!)

November 22nd, 2010, 02:32 PM	#3
Greg Kubitschek Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Posts: 34	Matte Boxes The Vocas MB-250 on my Canon XF-305 Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Greg Kubitschek; November 22nd, 2010 at 02:37 PM. Reason: Adding photos

November 23rd, 2010, 02:41 PM	#5
Greg Kubitschek Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Posts: 34	Vocas Matte box Yes, its the standard Manfrotto plate, on top of the new 504 head. Vocas sure engineered the system well. The folding shoulder steady mount on the rail system clears the sliding base plate and the tripod head when attaching it. I was taping a company event today with all the equipment attached to the camera and it was a dream to use! Best of Luck

November 23rd, 2010, 09:43 PM	#6
Jeff Anselmo Major Player Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: New Mexico Posts: 566	Hi Greg, Thanks for sharing those pics! Do you have any links to the Vocas model you bought? Best, __________________ --JA

November 23rd, 2010, 04:09 AM	#4
Antony Michael Wilson Major Player Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 343	Thanks Greg! That's a huge help. Vocas systems are definitely good and - I think - easier to get hold of here in the UK. Do you use a quick release tripod plate with your rails-based rig? Thanks again Tony

November 24th, 2010, 01:21 PM	#7
Greg Kubitschek Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Posts: 34	Voicas Parts 0250-2000 Kit (Originally packaged for DSLR shooters) Consists of MB-250 matte box Flexible Adapter ring kit 0320-0010 Adjustable bar adapter 0360-0100 MBS-100 Type G4 15mm rails support with shoulder Bracket MFC-1 Follow Focus Drive Gear 0500-0121 (New-Made for Canon XF-300 and XF305) Purchased them from BandH Photo as well as Abel Cine Tech.

June 14th, 2011, 10:12 PM	#8
Graham Bernard Old Boot Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London UK Posts: 3,633	Re: Matte Box Recommendations Greg, that rig looks great! Have you tried it with Grads? How much travel do you get with the vertical positioning of the horizontal "grad-line", with the near proximity of the Canon mic, sitting over the MB? Likewise, how much rotation of the rotator can you get? Back on the body of the Canon, how much rotational movement of the LCD screen can you achieve? It appears awfully close to the rear of the MB. Is it? How easy is it to get to those buttons/controls near to the rails? I've got a supplier sourcing this and a Chroziel. Your feedback on the Vocas, will give me your "real world" experience/view. TIA Grazie

June 14th, 2011, 11:36 PM	#9
Ken Hull Major Player Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 240	Re: Matte Box Recommendations Greg, Thanks for posting those pictures. I can't tell if the LCD monitor can rotate freely with the mattebox attached. I see you have the LCD aimed slightly up. Can you also aim the LCD straight back, or slightly down? Ken

June 15th, 2011, 06:55 AM	#10
Larry Cohen Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Watchung New Jersey Posts: 50	Re: Matte Box Recommendations Hi Guys, Just asking . . . when you cover the lens with this Mattebox, aren't you also covering up the little "fast focusing" lens element off on the right side of the lens too?? Thus making the lens autofocus not nearly as fast as it "should"? Of course I'm sure you're manually focusing anyway -- but is my theory right? Thanks, Larry

June 15th, 2011, 08:43 AM	#11
Graham Bernard Old Boot Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London UK Posts: 3,633	Re: Matte Box Recommendations 2 AFs on camera. The one you say AND through the lens proper. Grazie

June 15th, 2011, 09:31 AM	#12
Greg Fiske Major Player Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Santa Ana, CA Posts: 499	Re: Matte Box Recommendations Checkout this retailer, getting very good reviews. U.S. special forces Zhuo