FAQ Mattebox recommendation?

moldcad

moldcad

Veteran
I'm looking for a compact and lightweight but solid mattebox and follow focus for my FS7 for use when shooting from the tripod. Of course, I could find one myself easily - but all the brand names in the industry offer ones with a rather hefty price tag. Any recommendation for something with the highest value:price ratio? TIA

Piotr
 
Shoot35 offer mattebox and follow focus as a bundle. The FF is really very good for the £££s. Mattbox is good but only 4x4, so maybe go with the Tilta MB12 or Genus Production Mattebox if you need a rotating stage. Don't bother with some of the odd makes on eBay.
 
Liam Hall said:
Shoot35 offer mattebox and follow focus as a bundle. The FF is really very good for the £££s. Mattbox is good but only 4x4, so maybe go with the Tilta MB12 or Genus Production Mattebox if you need a rotating stage. Don't bother with some of the odd makes on eBay.
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The shoot 35 FF is really solid and they have a deal going right now.
 
Movcam also makes a pretty good clone of an ARRI.

Really depends on what you are looking for. I replaced my stolen ARRI MB20 with a Movcam MM1A because I needed 4x5.65 filter trays, 138mm rear filter holder, 144mm lens capability, and both 15mm and 19mm rod mounting and swing-away. It offered everything the ARRI did at 1/4 the cost.
 
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Liam Hall said:
Shoot35 offer mattebox and follow focus as a bundle. The FF is really very good for the £££s. Mattbox is good but only 4x4, so maybe go with the Tilta MB12 or Genus Production Mattebox if you need a rotating stage. Don't bother with some of the odd makes on eBay.
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Liam - looking at their CINEbox 4x4" I thought it had rotating stages? Is 4x4" too small for the 28-135 kit Sony FS7 kit lens?

Piotr
 
The Shoot35 has a rotating stage. Great mattebox but it was too bulky and too heavy for a 4x4" and wouldn't fit nicely in my camera bag so I sold it.

I've since been using a smaller and lighter Genus 4x4" just because I have so many 4x4" filters.

Next one will probably be a Bright tangerine Misfit (not the atom) which is nice and small and light but takes larger filters.
 
moldcad said:
Liam - looking at their CINEbox 4x4" I thought it had rotating stages? Is 4x4" too small for the 28-135 kit Sony FS7 kit lens?

Piotr
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Yes, it has rotating stages - I was referring to the Tilta MB12 which doesn't have rotating stages - it's a rip off of the Arri LM25, which is a great clip on matte box.

And yes, you'll be fine with a 4x4 and that lens. There are benefits to having 4x5.65, but it's also more bulk on the camera.

David W. Jones said:
Movcam also makes a pretty good clone of an ARRI.

Really depends on what you are looking for. I replaced my stolen ARRI MB20 with a Movcam MM1A because I needed 4x5.65 filter trays, 138mm rear filter holder, 144mm lens capability, and both 15mm and 19mm rod mounting. It offered everything the ARRI did at 1/4 the cost.
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Yeah, I was looking at the MM1A too. Didn't mention it earlier as it's a little more £££s than the others, but still offers amazing value.
 
Genus lightweight - works as a clip on, with adapter rings that screw onto the end of your lenses, or with a 15mm bracket, if you prefer something more solid.

I have both options and, having got sick of the weight of rods and V-Loks, stripped everything back to basics earlier this year and now use it purely as a clip on - works a charm with all of my Canon L Lenses, all of which have a 72mm filter thread. I occasionally use grad ND on the rotating front stage - but most of the time, it's just a damn useful flare controller.

Ben.
 
moldcad said:
I'm looking for a compact and lightweight but solid mattebox and follow focus for my FS7 for use when shooting from the tripod. Of course, I could find one myself easily - but all the brand names in the industry offer ones with a rather hefty price tag. Any recommendation for something with the highest value:price ratio? TIA

Piotr
Click to expand...

moldcad said:
I'm looking for a compact and lightweight but solid mattebox and follow focus for my FS7 for use when shooting from the tripod. Of course, I could find one myself easily - but all the brand names in the industry offer ones with a rather hefty price tag. Any recommendation for something with the highest value:price ratio? TIA

Piotr
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I nominate this one:

Movcam MM4

movcam_mov_301_0210_mm4_4_x_5_65_1421188579000_1112033.jpg

$579 before filters and some sort of donut.

Fits Lenses up to 130mm O.D.
2 Fixed 4 x 5.65" Filter Stages
Carbon Fiber Construction
ARRI Compatible Rosettes

light weight

oven cleaner removes the red anodizing if that isn't to you liking. :D

I own the Arri MMB 1 but have rarely used it because of its bulk, weight, and hassle. The thing about matte boxes is that building even a modest filter collection is going to cost you a small fortune. 4 x 5.65 filters average $250 each. A few ND grads, a pola, and some FX filters will easily end up costing you $2k. If you just want the matte box for light control you are almost better off just acquiring a clamp style flag on a gooseneck.
 
The BT Atom is about the lightest and rudimentary Mattbox out there.. I have one ..its good .. and has a optional tilt filter function .. handy if your shooting alot of cars at night etc.. but no rotation .. and the rubber does get bent around a bit.. I have a Vocas 2 stage clip on thats also very good.. but would probably go with the Misfit now..
 
I have a 3 stage Petroff I bought used when new ones sold for around $1k + depending on configuration.
Petroff simplified the line down to one model and moved production to Europe.
Now a complete new two-stage 142mm kit including top and side flags is only $380. Got to be the best quality and lightest weight in an inexpensive matte box. Very tough but lightweight polymer/fiber construction that is lighter than anything but carbon fiber. Handles up to 4x6" filters with user choice of filter holders with the package.

http://petroff.ws
 
Razz16mm said:
I have a 3 stage Petroff I bought used when new ones sold for around $1k + depending on configuration.
Petroff simplified the line down to one model and moved production to Europe.
Now a complete new two-stage 142mm kit including top and side flags is only $380. Got to be the best quality and lightest weight in an inexpensive matte box. Very tough but lightweight polymer/fiber construction that is lighter than anything but carbon fiber. Handles up to 4x6" filters with user choice of filter holders with the package.

http://petroff.ws
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No pricing at the webpage, and couldn't find them locally in Poland either. Any link to EU on-line retailer that has them in stock? Thanks

Piotr

PS. Ooops - sorry; after putting an item to the basket the price is shown!
 
Just wanted to throw another option in this thread for those that may be looking for something that delivers a solid build quality and function (which will be based more on everyone's individual needs) at an affordable price point...

I just received my JTZ DP30 4x4 Carbon Fiber Matte Box (available off Amazon) and set it up. I'm actually pretty impressed with it all around; the build, the finish and included components are pretty great. It is a 2-Stage matte box with one rotating stage. It includes side flags and 19mm rod block - if you need it. Not that it probably matters to most people but the knobs and tighteners are all silver/gray - which I personally prefer to the plethora of red and blue knobs out there. It's even got a pretty handy front/top handle mounted to the matte box frame which I think will be pretty useful when moving the rig around.

To be honest, I'm pretty shocked no one has mentioned or talked about this matte box...at least those of use who are looking to stay within a certain budget. Initially I was looking at Tilta's offerings but also just shopping around that Tilta-level price range and literally just stumbled upon this one as I was exploring Amazon. Since there was ZERO information / reviews out there (that I could find anyway) on this matte box I would NOT have taken the gamble if it wasn't on Amazon though. It is also "Fulfilled by Amazon" which means worst case the return would be a breeze but this matte box is, in my opinion, far removed from that.

Just wanted to share and hopefully it'll help someone else in the market (like I was) and potentially help out a company that is manufacturing some quality gear...at least this particular piece of kit.
 
digitalinnovations said:
Just wanted to throw another option in this thread for those that may be looking for something that delivers a solid build quality and function (which will be based more on everyone's individual needs) at an affordable price point...

I just received my JTZ DP30 4x4 Carbon Fiber Matte Box (available off Amazon) and set it up. I'm actually pretty impressed with it all around; the build, the finish and included components are pretty great. It is a 2-Stage matte box with one rotating stage. It includes side flags and 19mm rod block - if you need it. Not that it probably matters to most people but the knobs and tighteners are all silver/gray - which I personally prefer to the plethora of red and blue knobs out there. It's even got a pretty handy front/top handle mounted to the matte box frame which I think will be pretty useful when moving the rig around.

To be honest, I'm pretty shocked no one has mentioned or talked about this matte box...at least those of use who are looking to stay within a certain budget. Initially I was looking at Tilta's offerings but also just shopping around that Tilta-level price range and literally just stumbled upon this one as I was exploring Amazon. Since there was ZERO information / reviews out there (that I could find anyway) on this matte box I would NOT have taken the gamble if it wasn't on Amazon though. It is also "Fulfilled by Amazon" which means worst case the return would be a breeze but this matte box is, in my opinion, far removed from that.

Just wanted to share and hopefully it'll help someone else in the market (like I was) and potentially help out a company that is manufacturing some quality gear...at least this particular piece of kit.
Click to expand...

Interesting. I see that they are part of Fotga. I guess it's their new higher end stuff? The cages and base plates look interesting too. They have a EVF in some of their pics too, but that is not listed for sale anywhere. I don't see a single review anywhere either, and their facebook page mentions that they WON'T be at NAB this year. That's a shame as it would have been a good way to get more eyes and hands on their stuff to see if it's up to snuff.
 
I'm baking up this old thread, because - with my two mirror-less cameras (GH5 and A7Rii) - I need some way of using ND filters. I do have a 72mm Heliopan vario-ND, so all my smaller diameter lenses can be taken care of with appropriate step-up rings. However - my larger lenses:

- my Sony 28-135 lens with filter dia of 95mm
- my two Canon lenses with filter dia 77mm

need some super-lightweight mattebox, preferably without rails adapter (screw-in or snap-on lens rings). Which matteboxes would you advise? I like to Genus Lite (https://www.genustech.tv/collections/matte-box-units/products/matte-box-lite-kit) or the 2-stage version (https://www.genustech.tv/collections/gwmc-matte-box), but can they be attached to the above-mentioned lenses through screw-in or snap-on adapters? TIA

Piotr
 
Hey guys - really would do with your sensible advise on this one :)

I do have the Redrockmicro Mattebox (de Luxe bundle), but - considering my neck spine problems - almost never use it (and if I do - it's possible on the tripod only). For my A7Rii/GH5 shoulder rigs (and those cams really need filters :)), this mattebox is just too heavy and bulky. So with GH5/A7Rii in mind, I'm after a really small and lightweight solution - best if clamped-on my lenses (mostly the Canons with 77mm filter size, of which the 24-70mm one extends when zooming). Of course, when on tripod I have nothing against rail support...

Interestingly, when I first contacted Robert Petroff, he said his lightweight mattebox would tick all my boxes; clamped-on with some of my lenses or supported with the rails support adapter. His offer sounded good also because he has this Zacuto-like, snap-on reversible follow-focus. But after I found a buyer for my Redrockmicro stuff and got ready to buy from Petroff - he suddenly backed out on the basis that with my "complicated rig configurations" he cannot guarantee it would work :(

Which leaves me with basically 2 other solutions:

- the JTZ DP30 Cine Carbon Fiber 4x5.65" Matte Box off Amazon, or
- one of those minimalist Genus boxes (https://www.genustech.tv/collections/matte-box-lite or https://www.genustech.tv/collections/gwmc-matte-box)

Which of the 2 would you recommend? I realize I'd need to switch from my 4x5.65" filters (easy to sell though), and go with cheaper 4x4" (a couple of NDs, perhaps Grad and Pola). Also, I need to replace my v.1 Redrockmicro FF (cumbersome, heavy and not reversible) with something R. Petroff offers: http://petroff.ws/product/reversible-snap-on-follow-focus/ - can you recommend one for a budget price?

All in all - with so many factors involved, please do advise :)

Piotr
 
Lenny - I've heard that with Petroff, 4x5.65" filter trays stick out at both sides; are you using 4x4?

Piotr
 
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