Mattebox with an SLR lens on AF100

[Kindredmachine]

I plan on rigging the AF100 to some rails and a mattebox, but don't SLR lenses physically extend when manually zooming as with the Lumix 14-140? If this is the case, how are we to use a mattebox for risk of hitting a filter when zooming or moving the seal to keep light out? I see DSLR rigs with small matteboxes on them so do people simply set the lens and not use zoom at all or am I missing something here?

[mcgeedigital]

For lenses that extend, most people simply screw on a step-up ring that the matte box clamps on to.

[Kindredmachine]

For lenses that extend, most people simply screw on a step-up ring that the matte box clamps on to.

You mean to create more space between the lens and the filters in the mattebox so you can freely zoom without hitting anything? I'm not entirely sure when you mean. If I use a stepup ring arn;t I still screwed into the end of the SLR lens which is physically extending when I zoom?

..So far, I'm only use to servo video lenses.

[mcgeedigital]

Yes but the matte box is attached to the end of the lens and moves with it.

[Petros Kolyvas]

For SLR zoom lenses (that move through the zoom range) which might require support; if the rails are long enough, and the mattebox is attached to the lens via threaded filter, you can still use rods and the associate support bracket, just don't clamp the bracket down to the rods so the mattebox can move forward and backward.

Just a thought.

[Kindredmachine]

mcgeedigital... OH, I see!!

Currently I have cheapo calvision and redrock matteboxes which will work well for prime lenses but I'm assuming are either too heavy or contain the wrong mounts for what you're suggesting... Is there a mattebox with attachable step up ring you would suggest for using with zoomable lenses? I've been eyeing chrosziel but I assumed they too attached to rails. For exmaple, I'm not even sure how I would attach a redrock micro mattebox onto the end of the actual lens.

[Kindredmachine]

Whats funny is that this image from red rock's site even shows a DSLR wih 24-105mm lens with their mattebox...

http://www.redrockmicro.com/static/images/cat/lg/8-003-0042_1_lg.jpg

[Kindredmachine]

For SLR zoom lenses (that move through the zoom range) which might require support; if the rails are long enough, and the mattebox is attached to the lens via threaded filter, you can still use rods and the associate support bracket, just don't clamp the bracket down to the rods so the mattebox can move forward and backward.

Nice idea, but I'm not sure the lens would actually smoothly push the mattebox along the rails while zooming and might harm the lens if there was any resistance. Maybe if the lens didn't have such a wide range (like the redrock photo above) there could be enough play room to have a little zoom and not hit any filters in the mattebox? Eh, these types of lenses are all new to me.

[Petros Kolyvas]

Vocas makes several clip-on matteboxes with adapters for threaded lenses. The MB-210 and MB-250 come to mind.

Like any clip-on system you'll need to make sure the lens and mattebox don't exceed the maximum weight for a given camera mount, in the case of the AF100 I guess it's the 1.1kg that's been thrown around here.

That's why I'm suggesting a compromise with a rod-based support for the mattebox; it can "lean" on the rails vertically with virtually no play, but slide back and forth. Alternately some kind of bellows-centric mattebox would work I guess?

[Kindredmachine]

Thank you very much, I'll look into them.

[richier]

You could use a Genus "Nun's knickers" or Zacuto universal donut.

Look here for an explanation of the Genus Nun's knickers:
http://genusmattebox.blogspot.com/2009/07/letus-35mm-adapter-and-genus-nuns.html

Or, look at (zoom) lenses that don't extend during focusing and zooming. I have a couple of Tokina zoomlenses, and while they do extend and contract it's all done inside the barrel.

[Mike@AF]

You could use a Genus "Nun's knickers" or Zacuto universal donut.

Look here for an explanation of the Genus Nun's knickers:
http://genusmattebox.blogspot.com/2009/07/letus-35mm-adapter-and-genus-nuns.html



Nice! The "Knicker" on this website would be perfect if it could accommodate lenses smaller than 72mm in diameter. http://www.genustech.tv/donuts/genus-donuts.html Does anyone know of such a thing?

[David W. Jones]

Or select lenses which do not extend.

[mcgeedigital]

The Genus mb is a good chooice as it is one of the lightest mb out there for dslr lenses.

[ccastro]

I use the redrock matte box and a 24-70 mm lens with my 5D and I just simply open the lens to 24mm so that the lens is extended as far out as it goes and then slide my camera back or forward so that when I'm wide I don't hit the filter. My camera's base plate slides on the rails so its easier for me to adjust, I don't know if you have that option.

[Kindredmachine]

You could use a Genus "Nun's knickers" or Zacuto universal donut.

Look here for an explanation of the Genus Nun's knickers:
http://genusmattebox.blogspot.com/2009/07/letus-35mm-adapter-and-genus-nuns.html

Or, look at (zoom) lenses that don't extend during focusing and zooming. I have a couple of Tokina zoomlenses, and while they do extend and contract it's all done inside the barrel.

Great suggestions, thanks! That knicker looks perfect.