Genus matte box - Bad design?

krick

krick

Well-known member
I am hoping to be wrong here but I just received a Genus matte box and I am completely confused about the design of their PV mattebox. take a look at this picture i took

genus.jpg

If the goal of the mattebox is to protect your lens from the light, look at the space between the 2 filter holders (imagine you are shooting at noon on a sunny day with a filter in there) I just don't understand this :)

Am I wrong?

Thank you for your opinion on that and please tell me that I am wrong before I send back this Mattebox right away :)
 
Last edited:
I've had a lot of matteboxes and they all have a gap to get the trays in. The Genus is well made and if light from the top is a problem for a shot I'd mask it with tape.
 
I agree that the matte box is really nice, well made... I would be totally happy if it wasn't for this big gap in between the 2 trays. I played with a flash light and you can reach both the lens and the filter depending on the angle the light is coming from.

I agree you could tape it when needed but this seems like it could have been easily avoided or at least minimized with a better design. I guess i am just very surprised to see that, I don't remember anything like this on other mattebox I saw.

I had a Arri MMB-2 recently and there was no such gap, filter holders were nice and very tight and no light was going through.
 
Last edited:
Hey Joshua,

Are you the Josh who bought my MMB-2? How is the MMB-2 treating you? :) I sold it because I was looking for a even lighter weight with height adjustable but I really miss the MMB-2 for its build and precision. It felt so solid and well made/designed.

I contacted Genus and got a nice email and very quickly. They said that part of the matte box was missing (they called the part "baffle")... I should hear from them again today.

I hope this get resolved because I really like the MB. But with a gap like this between trays you are guaranteed reflections on your filters at one point, and that will affect your image. Yes you could put tape... but isn't it the goal of a matte box to take of those light leaks in the first place?

Josh, how much for getting my Arri back? :)
 
One and the same! I just got the matte box in today and have been messing around with it for a while.

Darn, I was hoping you wouldn't say that. :) Arri is basically the standard for matte boxes and I am really liking the quality of this box.

How much are you looking to spend, though? I've researched a ton of matte boxes and may be able to steer you in the right direction at just about any price point. Also, what size do you need? For instance if you want to / are able to drop down to 3x3s you can go very lightweight.
 
Ah! Josh, I was just kidding. Enjoy the MMB-2, it's a great piece.

I can spend around 1K (at most) and I am looking for something very light that could be on rods with adjustable height and also clip on to EF lenses for my C100 ( like the 24-105).

I am still exploring different matte box solutions. The genus seemed to be perfect for my use, very compact, in my price range, flexible... But those light leaks are a dealbreaker for me :(
 
The Shoot35 might be a good option for you. It is not as lightweight as the Genus, but it is much better, according to this review: http://www.pauljoy.com/gear/camera-accessories/shoot35-cinebox-review/ . You might want to contact Shoot35 for the weight, but I read somewhere that the combined weight of everything (flags and bracket) was just under 1kg (35 oz). I'm estimating the Arri MMB-2 at around 20oz, with the flag adding about 6oz, if that helps.

3x3s will clear 24mm on the 24-105 according to people here: http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?234231-Ultra-Small-Mattebox-for-the-5D . If you wanted to go that route, read this entire thread: http://www.personal-view.com/talks/...r-cameras-can-make-do-with-3x3-matte-boxes/p1 . The 85mm rear diameter should clamp directly on the 83.5mm diameter of the 24-105. It only weighs about 12.5 oz total with top and side flags which is very lightweight. Cavision has a mixed reputation, but the matte box is only $200 and you could return it to B&H if it doesn't work out. 3x3 filters are much cheaper, just check that you can find the filters you need in that size (otherwise you could cut down larger sizes to make two of the same 3x3 filters.)

I've got another option for you that I'm PMing to you as well.

Good luck!
 
ah! I can't argue with that but... Ok so then let's say that you are shooting during a beautiful sunrise but you are tilting up with the sun in your back.

Better? ;)
 
Last edited:
 
I worked with a Genus Matte box today. I have to say "I am not a big fan". Coming from using Chroziel, Arri, and O'Connor it was big step down. However, so is the price.
 
Paul, have you had any experience with Bright Tangerine's matte box? I was most interested in the 3 stage VIV. The US distributor is in Glendale (as I'm sure you're aware) and I'm in Phoenix as well.
 
Joshua Cadmium said:
Paul, have you had any experience with Bright Tangerine's matte box? I was most interested in the 3 stage VIV. The US distributor is in Glendale (as I'm sure you're aware) and I'm in Phoenix as well.
Click to expand...


I've got a BT Viv matte box, and I think it may be the best one I've owned. Very light, versatile, and well-built. Highly recommended.
 
I own 2 Genus MBs - they are OK. Well made and light weight but they do have significan design flows - yes the wide gap on the top is one of them. It lets unwanted light in and what's more annoying the ears holding one filter from another are too small so often the AC will try to put the filter tray not in the slot but in those ear and spends valuable seconds trying to figure out why it's not going in all the way. Moreover the filter tray sometimes don't hold the filters too well - on at least 2 occasions i had the filter fall out from the tray (!).

It's an OK mattebox but i'm looking to move up. That said though there is an obvious gap in lightweight but well made matteboxes so it's hard to find my next purchase.
 
This box has a cover to prevent light getting in the filter gap.

MatteBoxOpen_zpsd9d72745.jpg


MatteBoxClosed_zps23462abb.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top