Swing-Away mod for Formatt FM500 Mattebox

[j]

Here are pics of my swing-away modification of a Formatt FM-500 Mattebox. Sorry about the image quality, it's from a $30 digital camera...

Here is a shot of the support rail:

 

[chuck coburn]

j,

That is so cool!
I just love the fact that your who riser, matte box rod assembly and swing away all can be built with just hand tools and mayby a small drill press. I couldn't tell from the photos, but is there some kind of clamping ring under the matte box swivel brackets so that when you swing the box it stays at a constant height? Anyhow I'm calling my broker and telling him to buy me some Ilsco stock! LOL

Chuck

 

[Daniel Schaumberger]

Hi j,

I want to build a DIY Matte box and the FM500 looks great on that cam.
Can you give me the measurements in Millimeter from your Mattebox?

thanks
Daniel

 

[j]

>but is there some kind of clamping ring under the matte box swivel brackets so that when you swing the box it stays at a constant height?

I just drilled out the bottom, but not the top, allowing the MB to "sit" on top of the rod.

 

[Kholi]

Neato contrapt.

I can't see the title of this thread without thinking of "SIGNS"... you know that movie.