Purchasing a matte box with some questions at DVinfo.net

Marshall Staton · March 11th, 2011, 04:24 PM

I think i'm going to pick up one of the spffy new o'connor o-box matte boxes and am trying to figure out what i need to use this on eng and slr lenses. It looks like the box has a 150 mm opening and i'm not sure if i need to get a bellows ring or step down rings or what? This was a little more confusing than I thought it would be, thanks for any help!

Nate Weaver · March 26th, 2011, 04:44 AM

If you want to use a 138 round pola (or other filter), and have 15mm rods, you buy the 150-to-114 bellows and then a step down ring to either 110, 95, or 80mm depending what lens you have. Those sizes, by the way, are common front diameters for cine lenses.

If you want to CLAMP on to the front of your lens, and don't have or don't want rods, OR you don't need 138 round filters in the bellows, you can get step down rings that allow the MB to clamp onto those above sizes.

So two "lines" of lens interfacing, if you will. One set of rings for bellows (plus the bellows), one set for clamping.

Marshall Staton · March 26th, 2011, 07:48 AM

Nate, this may be a silly question but what if my lens, at least the screw in element is 77 or 82 mm? I don't see any rings that fit.

Brian Drysdale · March 29th, 2011, 11:50 AM

There are reduction rings to 80mm and 95mm. The 80mm should cover the 77mm screw, however, you may have to improvise or make a ring to the 95mm for your 82mm screw lens - I assume it's about 85mm on the outside. Some camera assistants have an elastic black cloth doughnut that they use for this.

March 11th, 2011, 04:24 PM	#1
Marshall Staton Major Player Join Date: May 2004 Location: Myrtle Beach, SC Posts: 241	Purchasing a matte box with some questions I think i'm going to pick up one of the spffy new o'connor o-box matte boxes and am trying to figure out what i need to use this on eng and slr lenses. It looks like the box has a 150 mm opening and i'm not sure if i need to get a bellows ring or step down rings or what? This was a little more confusing than I thought it would be, thanks for any help! __________________ www.marshallstaton.com

March 26th, 2011, 04:44 AM	#2
Nate Weaver Wrangler Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 2,100	Re: Purchasing a matte box with some questions If you want to use a 138 round pola (or other filter), and have 15mm rods, you buy the 150-to-114 bellows and then a step down ring to either 110, 95, or 80mm depending what lens you have. Those sizes, by the way, are common front diameters for cine lenses. If you want to CLAMP on to the front of your lens, and don't have or don't want rods, OR you don't need 138 round filters in the bellows, you can get step down rings that allow the MB to clamp onto those above sizes. So two "lines" of lens interfacing, if you will. One set of rings for bellows (plus the bellows), one set for clamping. __________________ My Work: nateweaver.net

March 26th, 2011, 07:48 AM	#3
Marshall Staton Major Player Join Date: May 2004 Location: Myrtle Beach, SC Posts: 241	Re: Purchasing a matte box with some questions Nate, this may be a silly question but what if my lens, at least the screw in element is 77 or 82 mm? I don't see any rings that fit. __________________ www.marshallstaton.com

March 29th, 2011, 11:50 AM	#4
Brian Drysdale Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Belfast, UK Posts: 6,143	Re: Purchasing a matte box with some questions There are reduction rings to 80mm and 95mm. The 80mm should cover the 77mm screw, however, you may have to improvise or make a ring to the 95mm for your 82mm screw lens - I assume it's about 85mm on the outside. Some camera assistants have an elastic black cloth doughnut that they use for this.