Matte Box recommendation at DVinfo.net

Peter Ford · March 15th, 2011, 11:46 AM

Hi all,

I'm looking for matte box recommendations.

I know most people go for ones that fit on rails, but we need to be as light as possible, so we're looking for a clip on mattebox, with a french flag, that takes 4x4 filters.

What have people used and would recommend?

many thanks

Iker Riera · March 15th, 2011, 01:00 PM

Genus Matte Box

Jacques Mersereau · March 18th, 2011, 07:12 AM

I have two Redrock micro boxes with the swing away feature.
They are big and pretty beefy. I don't like that the eyebrow and side flags being unable to truly lock in, but in their price range this was the best value (need rails too).

I don't know the Genus, but I don't see anyplace for filters?

The RRM has two slots.

YMMV

Iker Riera · March 18th, 2011, 11:36 AM

The Genus has 2 filter trays, one fixed and one that rotates.

I would go for the RedRock too if using it on 15mm rails. For a clamp-on/lightweight style the Genus fits the bill.

Andrew Stone · March 19th, 2011, 06:12 PM

Hi Peter,

You being from the UK should have a look at the matte boxes from True Lens Service. A good number of shooters over the years have spoken highly of their matteboxes.

True Lens Service can be found here: True Lens Services

Leonard Levy · March 22nd, 2011, 10:52 AM

Petroff at Zacuto

Darren Ruddock · March 23rd, 2011, 10:36 AM

Hi,

I went for the Genus.

We had the Redrock for our EX1. Looked great and is great quality but if you are using it in a run and gun situation forget it! I was so frightened of smashing it against things because it is so big.

The other main problem we found is vignetting. With the EX1 the Redock sits very close to the LCD and makes it impossible to fold it away. This also makes it very hard to align the mattebox perfectly and at full wide we found vignetting.

Just my experience, but the Genus is perfect for the EX1. We got a good deal with a polariser, ND9 and a grad thrown in.

Sold the Redrock!

Jacques Mersereau · March 23rd, 2011, 10:39 AM

I agree that the Redrock is big and kinda stupid big. I use it with an EX3 and wide angle adapter, and yes,
it is right at the edge of vignetting, but it doesn't when set perfectly.

The other suggestion may well be much better for all the reasons given.

J

Dave Morrison · March 23rd, 2011, 11:03 AM

I went with the Arri MMB-1 after putting the guys at Abel Cinetech through hell (sorry Matt). I tried the Chrosziel, but you could NOT close the LCD screen with it mounted. On the Arri, you can open and close it albeit with a bit of scuffing. I went with the model that bottom loads so that I can properly place my ND grad filter properly. The other think I like about the Arri is that I still have full access to my screw-in threads on the EX1 allowing me to use traditional Polarizers instead of having to buy a big square or rectangular one that would only rotate partially due to the overhanging mic issue.

Alister Chapman · March 24th, 2011, 11:02 AM

TLS designed the Genus Matte Boxes, so you will find the TLS and Genus Matte boxes to be very similar. The TLS units are made at TLS's own UK facility and are beautifully crafted, while Genus ones are manufactured in China. Genus have their own QA people in China so the quality is normally very good.

Note that I do have a connection with both TLS and Genus as they are manufacturing the 3D rig I designed.

Joe Cain · April 6th, 2013, 07:39 PM

I'm looking to purchase a Chrosziel matte box for my PMW 200. I have the 15mm light-weight-rod system, but I'm unsure of the matte box diameter I need for my camera. I prefer a fixture other than the flexible stretch ring. What is the proper diameter for secure clamping to the PMW 200 lens?

Andrew Stone · April 7th, 2013, 06:49 PM

ZGC is the go to place for Chrosziel products. They will probably know the diameter of the lens front and be able to give you the ring adapter part number and price over the phone.

The PMW-200 may have the same lens diameter as the EX3 but I don't know. Google wasn't helpful.

I would suggest giving them a call.

March 15th, 2011, 11:46 AM	#1
Peter Ford Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: London, uk Posts: 99	Matte Box recommendation Hi all, I'm looking for matte box recommendations. I know most people go for ones that fit on rails, but we need to be as light as possible, so we're looking for a clip on mattebox, with a french flag, that takes 4x4 filters. What have people used and would recommend? many thanks

March 15th, 2011, 01:00 PM	#2
Iker Riera Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Caracas, Venezuela Posts: 164	Re: Matte Box recommendation Genus Matte Box

March 18th, 2011, 07:12 AM	#3
Jacques Mersereau Trustee Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 1,334	Re: Matte Box recommendation I have two Redrock micro boxes with the swing away feature. They are big and pretty beefy. I don't like that the eyebrow and side flags being unable to truly lock in, but in their price range this was the best value (need rails too). I don't know the Genus, but I don't see anyplace for filters? The RRM has two slots. YMMV __________________ Jacques Mersereau University of Michigan-Video Studio Manager

March 18th, 2011, 11:36 AM	#4
Iker Riera Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Caracas, Venezuela Posts: 164	Re: Matte Box recommendation The Genus has 2 filter trays, one fixed and one that rotates. I would go for the RedRock too if using it on 15mm rails. For a clamp-on/lightweight style the Genus fits the bill.

March 19th, 2011, 06:12 PM	#5
Andrew Stone Major Player Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 975	Re: Matte Box recommendation Hi Peter, You being from the UK should have a look at the matte boxes from True Lens Service. A good number of shooters over the years have spoken highly of their matteboxes. True Lens Service can be found here: True Lens Services

March 22nd, 2011, 10:52 AM	#6
Leonard Levy Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: USA Posts: 1,684	Re: Matte Box recommendation Petroff at Zacuto

March 23rd, 2011, 10:36 AM	#7
Darren Ruddock Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Southend, UK Posts: 165	Re: Matte Box recommendation Hi, I went for the Genus. We had the Redrock for our EX1. Looked great and is great quality but if you are using it in a run and gun situation forget it! I was so frightened of smashing it against things because it is so big. The other main problem we found is vignetting. With the EX1 the Redock sits very close to the LCD and makes it impossible to fold it away. This also makes it very hard to align the mattebox perfectly and at full wide we found vignetting. Just my experience, but the Genus is perfect for the EX1. We got a good deal with a polariser, ND9 and a grad thrown in. Sold the Redrock!

March 23rd, 2011, 10:39 AM	#8
Jacques Mersereau Trustee Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 1,334	Re: Matte Box recommendation I agree that the Redrock is big and kinda stupid big. I use it with an EX3 and wide angle adapter, and yes, it is right at the edge of vignetting, but it doesn't when set perfectly. The other suggestion may well be much better for all the reasons given. J __________________ Jacques Mersereau University of Michigan-Video Studio Manager

March 23rd, 2011, 11:03 AM	#9
Dave Morrison Major Player Join Date: May 2002 Location: West Central Florida Posts: 762	Re: Matte Box recommendation I went with the Arri MMB-1 after putting the guys at Abel Cinetech through hell (sorry Matt). I tried the Chrosziel, but you could NOT close the LCD screen with it mounted. On the Arri, you can open and close it albeit with a bit of scuffing. I went with the model that bottom loads so that I can properly place my ND grad filter properly. The other think I like about the Arri is that I still have full access to my screw-in threads on the EX1 allowing me to use traditional Polarizers instead of having to buy a big square or rectangular one that would only rotate partially due to the overhanging mic issue. __________________ EX1, Nikon D750 http://www.morrisonphotographics.com http://www.heritagefilm.com

March 24th, 2011, 11:02 AM	#10
Alister Chapman Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berkshire, UK Posts: 4,957	Re: Matte Box recommendation TLS designed the Genus Matte Boxes, so you will find the TLS and Genus Matte boxes to be very similar. The TLS units are made at TLS's own UK facility and are beautifully crafted, while Genus ones are manufactured in China. Genus have their own QA people in China so the quality is normally very good. Note that I do have a connection with both TLS and Genus as they are manufacturing the 3D rig I designed. __________________ Alister Chapman, Film-Maker/Stormchaser http://www.xdcam-user.com/alisters-blog/ My XDCAM site and blog. http://www.hurricane-rig.com

April 6th, 2013, 07:39 PM	#11
Joe Cain New Boot Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 10	Re: Matte Box recommendation I'm looking to purchase a Chrosziel matte box for my PMW 200. I have the 15mm light-weight-rod system, but I'm unsure of the matte box diameter I need for my camera. I prefer a fixture other than the flexible stretch ring. What is the proper diameter for secure clamping to the PMW 200 lens?

April 7th, 2013, 06:49 PM	#12
Andrew Stone Major Player Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 975	Re: Matte Box recommendation ZGC is the go to place for Chrosziel products. They will probably know the diameter of the lens front and be able to give you the ring adapter part number and price over the phone. The PMW-200 may have the same lens diameter as the EX3 but I don't know. Google wasn't helpful. I would suggest giving them a call.