matte boxes

[HKB]

looking for one for a HVX200a..... what are the pros and cons?

[Nick Walters]

Pros:
Quick filter installs
better ability to block unwanted light
the "cool" factor

Cons:
Cost
Weight
rig size increase

I'm sure I'm missing a few things, and I'm sure folks will speak up on them.

[SantaCruzMichael]

I didn't understand why a Chrosziel matte box cost so much until I got one in the mail.
Everything is machined, almost no plastic, nice touches like spring-loaded retainers in the filter holders, etc, etc...
And it has all these nifty features while still being very lightweight, which is a fundamental engineering and manufacturing challenge.

Sure, it costs more to manufacture something in Munich than it does further East. But the upshot is a quality feel and a piece of equipment you can rely on in professional environments.

I'll add another benefit:
Particularly when installed with rails, the matte box provides additional protection against bumps, scrapes and worse...

[pmark23]

I have the CA-Vision one (had to buy in a hurry and they were quickest). While cheap and plasticky, it does the job and has held up quite well.

[HKB]

I'm leaning toward the Chrosiel but the Cavision with bellows is interesting..... anyone try a matte box with bellows? Any advantages there?

[jetaddiction@mac.com]

i like my redrock swing away . flags not as secure as i would like but great for the $$$

[VenezuelanD]

If you're mainly studio/sticks then the Redrock probably has the most to offer at a very attractive price. It swings away, has side and top flags and holds 2 rotating 4x4/4x5.65 filters. Its con is that is a heavy mattebox.

The Vocas mattebox (MB250 for smaller cameras) if you have not seen it yet is pretty amazing. They're in the same price range as chorsziel but I like this mattebox over the Chrosziel. It is very well built and has internal eyebrows as well as a top flag option.

I would stay away from the Cavision mattebox unless you're not going to use it with a 35mm adapter. The way they build them the mattebox sits pretty high up from the rod support so when using it on a rod system other than cavision it can be very difficult to have the lens centered on the mattebox. Other than that, the way they build their french flags can be a bit annoying if you need to lower it quickly.

[shorelinedigital]

Pros:
Quick filter installs
better ability to block unwanted light
the "cool" factor

Cons:
Cost
Weight
rig size increase

I'm sure I'm missing a few things, and I'm sure folks will speak up on them.

The Vocas rocks my 200. John at ProSource (http://www.prosourcebmi.com/frames1.php4) is great and it's a fabulous product