MattBox comparison!

I am with you on this Bass and thats exactly how I decide what to buy and not buy. Anything that creeps near the price of another camera is a no-no for me. If we all owned Film studios and bought this stuff as Tax Write offs then we would all be stocking up on this stuff.

I was watching the LOST extras and noticed that their camera guys get a lot of their shots by holding their matte boxes with both hands and doing those quick whip around pans.
They are really over priced though and no amount of engineering talk or explanation is going to convince me that if you bring the price down and sell in more quantities that you will get the profit margin.
 
I think it's quite possible that if these matte boxes were sold at 1/4 the current prices, volume of sales would increase to the point where profits MAY increase through sheer volume. With volume sales, comes the possibility for robotic assembly techniques, which is what make our EX1s cost $6000, not $500,000. If the same methodology were applied to matte boxes, prices could come down substantially.
 
philip bloom said:
With your set up there, how can you see in the viewfinder?
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It was basically in compact mode for picture. The rod mound for shoulder mount goes back a little further and the blue shoulder pad splits in two and gets longer for placement. I've added longer hand grip extensions, but when on shoulder, my forehead lines up, just fine to eyepiece. I just need 3lbs in rear to balance and hold with one finger. But I usually for go that, out of convenience and because it becomes a 18 to 19 lbs camera. Bottom line your arms go tired before anything else.

Love the Zacuto stuff but it turns it into a very large contraption.
 
basspig said:
I think it's quite possible that if these matte boxes were sold at 1/4 the current prices, volume of sales would increase to the point where profits MAY increase through sheer volume. With volume sales, comes the possibility for robotic assembly techniques, which is what make our EX1s cost $6000, not $500,000. If the same methodology were applied to matte boxes, prices could come down substantially.
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Sound good. look like a possible new business. Can anyone give me keyword for quality matt box? Please help me do my research. What sort of design would be good to start with. dual 4x4 filter with turnable filter bracket with no light leak. What kind of price you are looking for? The above description for 150-200 USD. To be realistic, that price point sound like 300 units per month. as mention in my last post, material are dirt cheap, but machining cost a lot and produce a lot of waste. once you set the machine up, it cost next to nothing to make another unit. For 40000 USD is for machine setup ( assuming I have all machinery needed - actual cost sound like 500000 USD to me). Say If I were to sell matt box for 150, I need to sell 200 matt box to cover the machine setup alone. Where can i sell all those matt box? How big is this market? I don't know. I rarely see anyone using matt box. I assume it is not needed unless you are pro. So niche item = low production volume = high price.

For a person like me, a stock EX1 is fine for doing a bit of my own cooperate VDO and a bit of traveling with my family. I still think I regret selling my A1. I wish JVC come with HM100 this time last year.
 
I own the Vocas MB-350 and its brilliant. Can hold two 4x4 filters and one 5.65x4 filter. Built very well and strong. Costs quite a lot but it will last years and years. No problems on the EX3 either.
 
The Genus mattebox is a nice light weight and reasonably priced choice for the EX-3
ex3mattebox.jpg


There is a video of it at
http://genustech.tv/matte-boxes/genus-wide-4x4-matte-box.html
 
Steven, I've also bought the Genus rail mounted matte-box for use on my Panasonic HVX200 and it's fantastic..., bang for buck I couldn't find anything else that compares. I'm very pleased with myself for finding this gem!

I also bought the Genus shooter bag to lug my ever increasing amount of kit around too, this has to be the best camera bag I've ever seen - waterproof zippers, expandable, storage pockets everywhere and its a very good backpack design too plus it also fits my laptop and all of its accessories and it's made of "ballistic cordura nylon" whatever that means... I do know that its damn tough material though.

I hate buying things twice, so while a bit more than I wanted to pay - this bag will last a looonnnggg time I'm sure!

Just my 2 cents worth!

http://genustech.tv/


Horrowitz
 
Thanks for the Genus tip guys! One thing I hate about small companies like this though is that they make it real difficult to buy their products. They're craftsmen...they're not good marketers. I never was able to find out any prices for any of their stuff... very frustrating.
 
Frank

Their local dealer to you is:
Ste-Man Inc.

10663 Burbank Blvd,
North Hollywood,
California.
CA 91601

Tel: +1 818 760 8240
Fax: +818 760 88050

website: www.ste-man.com

Hope this helps!!

Horrowitz
 
Arriflex makes a matt box follow focus set up for $3500.
The current 4x5 filter tray slides in from the side. This week
They are selling a top load 4x5 tray.
It also works with red cameras.
Does not swing out or follow focus moi t on me York side
 
Genus Dealer

Genus Dealer

FrankC said:
Thanks for the Genus tip guys! One thing I hate about small companies like this though is that they make it real difficult to buy their products. They're craftsmen...they're not good marketers. I never was able to find out any prices for any of their stuff... very frustrating.
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HI Frank,
I am the distributor for Genus. if you have any questions you can email me direct. I agree, it is tough to market products in today's economy. We try and sell our products though the dealer network.

Steven
 
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