Matte Box sits too low for lenses. Any suggestion?
- Thread starter bosharpe
- Start date
DPStewart
Veteran
Seriously though...
This is why Matte Boxes with a variable height are necessary.
Perhaps a vertical "rails-to-rails" adapter and a very short second set of rails would lift it up (see SmallRig for pieces and parts).
But it would suck if that then made it too high.
It really doesn't have a height adjustment? Weird.
This is why Matte Boxes with a variable height are necessary.
Perhaps a vertical "rails-to-rails" adapter and a very short second set of rails would lift it up (see SmallRig for pieces and parts).
But it would suck if that then made it too high.
It really doesn't have a height adjustment? Weird.
DPStewart
Veteran
OK...here's what I meant:http://www.amazon.com/Coolraiser-Ra...UTF8&qid=1432510290&sr=1-62&keywords=smallrig
But this one might raise you up too high. But I SWEAR I've seen one like this somewhere out on the Interwebs that had the two sets of holes closer together.
But this is the Idea.
But this one might raise you up too high. But I SWEAR I've seen one like this somewhere out on the Interwebs that had the two sets of holes closer together.
But this is the Idea.
DPStewart
Veteran
Here's one that is more expensive but it's adjustable and it looks like at the lowest setting it would put you right on the money.
http://www.amazon.com/SMALLRIG-Supp...TF8&qid=1432510450&sr=1-241&keywords=smallrig
Then, of course, you'd just need an extra pair of short rails, like 3 or 4 inches, and it's done.
Kind of a messy way to do it - but at least it would be solid.
http://www.amazon.com/SMALLRIG-Supp...TF8&qid=1432510450&sr=1-241&keywords=smallrig
Then, of course, you'd just need an extra pair of short rails, like 3 or 4 inches, and it's done.
Kind of a messy way to do it - but at least it would be solid.
DPStewart
Veteran
Or you could get 2 of these and screw them together for aq fixed height, but a nice low height. And the price for 2 would fall in the middle:
http://www.amazon.com/SMALLRIG-Camc...TF8&qid=1432510910&sr=1-386&keywords=smallrig
http://www.amazon.com/SMALLRIG-Camc...TF8&qid=1432510910&sr=1-386&keywords=smallrig
At the price of those adapters, you are half way to a new Fotga DP3000 with swing away mount, or really close to the non swing version. One note on the dp3000, it will not go low enough to meet the 85mm standard for 15mm LWS rods, I had to modify mine to make it go low enough (pictures in the diy section in the X-T1 camera cage thread).
Need pictures of the rest of the rig to see where you might be able to fix it.
Need pictures of the rest of the rig to see where you might be able to fix it.
Egg Born Son
Veteran
The shoot35 mattebox is height adjustable.
You might still need to get one of those smallrig 30mm offset brackets and use the mattebox for fine tuning. Or you could remove one of the three screws entirely for more adjustment range on the mattebox.
You might still need to get one of those smallrig 30mm offset brackets and use the mattebox for fine tuning. Or you could remove one of the three screws entirely for more adjustment range on the mattebox.
Egg Born Son
Veteran
It might still need further adjustment. The mattebox according to specs has 22mm of adjustment, only 11mm each way if it's already centered. From the photo the mattebox seems to be out by 20-30mm. With the small-rig/lanparte fixed 30mm riser 11mm of adjustment should work fine.
I had this same issue with the Edelkrone, due to the cage on my camera my chrosziel is 7mm out and chrosziel as far as I know hasn't come up with any means to modify their older matteboxes to suit modern usage. And it's too good a mattebox to throw away (damn your quality chrosziel!). I can't use the fixed distance 30mm riser and the design of the adjustable ones from smallrig/lanparte won't do less than about 17mm of adjustment. The only decent solution I've found that will make the Edelkrone modula work for me is the always overpriced zacuto z-riser
http://www.filmtools.com/zacuto-z-riser-z-ri.html
But I don't know if I'll bother. I mainly use my Lanparte baseplate with height adjustable rods to attach the mattebox at the moment. If I want low handheld I switch out to the Modula sans MB.
I've tried really hard to like the Edelkrone, the concept I really really like but the execution never seems to quite align with what I'm trying to do. It gets frustratingly close but the Modula never quite fulfills the dream. If it was lighter I could forgive the loose, wobby feel. It never quite locks down tightly and when it does it throws the alignment out minutely. If it was as solid as I would like, I could forgive the weight. I love all the useful looking holes all over it but they are always slightly off from the places I actually want them and don't align with any third party equipment. It is quick and easily adjustable in all elements to help change balance from shoulder to tripod. But none of the adjustments lock down as tightly as I would like and never quite reach the perfect extension.
I really wish the top handle was detachable and usable with other rigs because its design is great and the ability to easily adjust your monitor forward and back as you switch from shoulder to tripod is one I'm surprised isn't more copied. Although like all it's adjustments falls an inch or two from perfect positioning making a magic arm maybe the better solution. Used with the modula it feels a little wobbly and doesn't breed much confidence used as a top handle. Never failed me but it sure as hell makes me nervous.
I think with the z-riser solving the mattebox frustration I might finally be able to like this rig and I've figured out a bodgy way to attach rods and/or a cheeseplate to the back of the handle to mount AB or V-mount battery solutions (the proprietary solutions look nice but cost more than the rig and weigh a ton). But overall while I like all the ideas and adjustability, this rig has frustrated the hell out of me. It always seems to adjust an inch short of where I want it. And never quite achieves the degree of compactness of rig that it seems to promise. It has three ways (purchased separately) of mounting the camera and each plate sucks in its own unique way. So many clever design ideas but none executed perfectly.
I should go for a LWS VCT compatible universal plate with shoulder pad, rosettes and adjustable rods. Be done with it, spend the ridiculous big bucks once (kidney, half my liver and my first born) and enjoy a compact rig that is a few pounds lighter, balances over the shoulder and on the tripod without adjustment and get on with my life. Sigh. I've made myself sad now.
I had this same issue with the Edelkrone, due to the cage on my camera my chrosziel is 7mm out and chrosziel as far as I know hasn't come up with any means to modify their older matteboxes to suit modern usage. And it's too good a mattebox to throw away (damn your quality chrosziel!). I can't use the fixed distance 30mm riser and the design of the adjustable ones from smallrig/lanparte won't do less than about 17mm of adjustment. The only decent solution I've found that will make the Edelkrone modula work for me is the always overpriced zacuto z-riser
http://www.filmtools.com/zacuto-z-riser-z-ri.html
But I don't know if I'll bother. I mainly use my Lanparte baseplate with height adjustable rods to attach the mattebox at the moment. If I want low handheld I switch out to the Modula sans MB.
I've tried really hard to like the Edelkrone, the concept I really really like but the execution never seems to quite align with what I'm trying to do. It gets frustratingly close but the Modula never quite fulfills the dream. If it was lighter I could forgive the loose, wobby feel. It never quite locks down tightly and when it does it throws the alignment out minutely. If it was as solid as I would like, I could forgive the weight. I love all the useful looking holes all over it but they are always slightly off from the places I actually want them and don't align with any third party equipment. It is quick and easily adjustable in all elements to help change balance from shoulder to tripod. But none of the adjustments lock down as tightly as I would like and never quite reach the perfect extension.
I really wish the top handle was detachable and usable with other rigs because its design is great and the ability to easily adjust your monitor forward and back as you switch from shoulder to tripod is one I'm surprised isn't more copied. Although like all it's adjustments falls an inch or two from perfect positioning making a magic arm maybe the better solution. Used with the modula it feels a little wobbly and doesn't breed much confidence used as a top handle. Never failed me but it sure as hell makes me nervous.
I think with the z-riser solving the mattebox frustration I might finally be able to like this rig and I've figured out a bodgy way to attach rods and/or a cheeseplate to the back of the handle to mount AB or V-mount battery solutions (the proprietary solutions look nice but cost more than the rig and weigh a ton). But overall while I like all the ideas and adjustability, this rig has frustrated the hell out of me. It always seems to adjust an inch short of where I want it. And never quite achieves the degree of compactness of rig that it seems to promise. It has three ways (purchased separately) of mounting the camera and each plate sucks in its own unique way. So many clever design ideas but none executed perfectly.
I should go for a LWS VCT compatible universal plate with shoulder pad, rosettes and adjustable rods. Be done with it, spend the ridiculous big bucks once (kidney, half my liver and my first born) and enjoy a compact rig that is a few pounds lighter, balances over the shoulder and on the tripod without adjustment and get on with my life. Sigh. I've made myself sad now.
Thanks for that! It's a clunky rig at the moment and I'm still trying to figure it out. I'm using Zeiss ZF lenses (Without Duclos standard 80mm front ring mod) and I'd like to buy some Nun's Knickers instead of using the doughnut on the Shoot35 Matte Box. I'm also using the 24shots motorised follow focus as well and it's getting in the way of buttons on my 5D soooo it's still a work in progress. I'll try rising the Matte Box first then if that doesn't do the trick (It probably won't as you've pointed out) I'll try a riser. I'd rather not add to the weight but I also don't want to splash out more money on something complete new.
Similar experience here. I've never been 100% satisfied with Edelkrone products for the price I paid for them but I love their ideas. I bought a Modular 5 2nd hand a month ago and my first thoughts were - "This thing seems rickety, I hope it does fall apart". I just don't feel confident enough picking the whole rig up by the top handle as it has a bit of play in it. quite disconcerting really. I'll keep with it and air on the cautious side for now but I don't think I'll buy from them again. I noticed they've taken the rigs down from their website recently so I guess their going to bring out something new?..
Here's a few of what I've currently got going on-
Just added a couple.
Thanks very much!
Short lenses are a problem, tough to cram everything into the space.
I would lower the camera a bit if any way possible. I'd probably go with a 3d printed focus gear too, by lowering the camera you can use a smaller gear on the lens. That is unless a smaller gear won't give you enough leverage on the lens to turn the focus.
I would lower the camera a bit if any way possible. I'd probably go with a 3d printed focus gear too, by lowering the camera you can use a smaller gear on the lens. That is unless a smaller gear won't give you enough leverage on the lens to turn the focus.