The Ideal Matte Box

[ESTEBEVERDE]

O.K. If I manufactured the Ideal Matte Box for you guys, what would it be? What would it have?

[Taylor Rudd]

Moist towelettes.






Looks like 2 filters, swing away, 15mm rod mountable, height adjustable, lightweight, french flag/side doors seems to describe the popular matte boxes. I'm sure the more experienced will know exactly what to say.

[FatDaddy]

Coin holder.

[ESTEBEVERDE]

What about materials?

Aluminum?

Carbon?

High Impact Plastics?

[cordvision]

have look at this one ---> http://www.filmtools.com/arrimb20.html

[Postmaster]

I would go aluminum since it is easy to handle, durable, forgiving, easy to weld (repair), bend, fold, rivet and what not.

Coat it with super flat black. Some sand (or whatever) in the paint will give it an rough surface that stops glare (like the old ARRI cameras - or WWII GI Helmets)

The inner side shoud be stepped (like some of the Petroffs), adjustable or insert Frames for different aspect ratios to create a glare trap (like a little room with a window in front of the lens.

4 adjustable flaps, 2-3 filter holders that rotate independently, washers for different lens diameters, make sure it is not getting in the way of a follow focus,
solid bracket, swing away would be nice also an ashtray ;-)

Also make sure it´s huge. Men like huge extensions. Seems to be odd, but does not everybody feel better with a big 500mm zoom lens on the still camera as with that little 28mm glas? ;-)

Serios, you wont belive how different actors and customers behave if you got a huge mattebox.

Big list, I know but you asked...
Frank

[ESTEBEVERDE]

Guys... these are all great.

Keep em comin'!

I like aluminum and I like polycarbonate.

The no glare light absorbing paint or treatment is an absolute must!

All Black, Everything....

What else would you want?

[tmnt]

Make it fold down, like the hyson.

[ESTEBEVERDE]

have look at this one ---> http://www.filmtools.com/arrimb20.html


Pure Awesomeness!


I wonder if we could come up with ideas to make one that's even better.... but not $4500+ :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)

[ESTEBEVERDE]

Make it fold down, like the hyson.


They have some very nice looking matte boxes.

http://www.hysonfilms.com/Products.html


I wonder how they perform?



I think we should add high performance on our list as the big #1 and form can follow function.


Of course, it will still have to look and be bad ass. :beer:

[Postmaster]

Hyson offer a build in Follow Focus. That would be the cream on the coffee.

Frank

[ESTEBEVERDE]

What about modular design so you can accommodate different budgets?

That way they can add as they go?

[bwest]

swing away