One mattebox for multiple cameras?

Alex.Mitchell

Alex.Mitchell

Well-known member
So I'm in the market for a mattebox, but I'm not really sure which one to get. For starters, I have a few cameras that I'd like to use it on: my Canon Auto Zoom 814 and my DVX100b, and someday soon I'll either get an XDCAM EX or HVX200. What I don't want to do is buy multiple units. Rather, I would like one unit that can be equipped to several different kinds of cameras. Is there any particular mattebox that can do this at a reasonable price?
 
I believe that redrocks will be able to do that when it comes out. I have a chroziel that was made for a JVC, I have used it on on several different cameras by changing out the step down ring and/or customizing a boot.
 
check out Geardear. You can use it without rods too. or even for 35mm adapters and all the camera you just listed.
 
I'm considering the RR to be vapourware at this point - it's been talked about for almost a year.

I've used a Petroff on two different cameras, and I don't see why it wouldn't work on several others.
 
I just checked out geardear it looks like to me whatever the opening in the back plate is, that is the max lens barrel that you can use. So not quite as unversal as switching out a step down ring. As far as the clip on, I'd never use one on any camera. You can read Jan's posts about the HVX and clip ons. Lens mounts are not speced to carry that much weight, so your only asking for trouble. finally I have to say I'm not crazy over the square design, it seems on a wide angle lens you'ld have to be very careful not to get any cropping from the box. Secondly I know the interior is a matte black so not to reflect light, but foreign material always gets in the matte box, fake blood etc. Because of the angle involved with a square box I'd be concerned about reflective light.
 
The geardear gives you the option to upgrade as you go along. You can add more filter stages when you decided to. So it makes it more cost effective in the long run. there are different back mount plates to fit different cameras sizes up to 105mm.

This is the only mattebox currently on the market that you that doesn't block out the sensor on the XHA1 and XHG1 cameras ( modiefied lensmount80) . Or maybe i'm wrong.

Yes it does make it heavy so rails are recommanded, but having the option to only have it without and when using one filter trays or none at all gives one more freedom. It allows you to stack them all away like a pack of cards , making travelling easier.

reflextion from bloods or liquid are always an issue when one is not using a Bellow , So you just have to clean it. I'm sure that when there is liquid that lands on the inside of the mattebox, chances of it staining the lens are also pretty high .So checking and cleaning is a must when one shoot. But the option to use a mask on the Geardear system lowers the chance of dirt and reflextion then a standard mattebox on the market.
 
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If the redrock micro ever comes out.. all I read about it are delays, delays and delays. Not really professional.
 
Mike,
I use the largest Petroff 5x5 box on HD broadcast cameras as well as the HVX and smaller HDV cameras. It works with the smaller cameras if you get the appropriate adapter rings and use rod support systems. The Zacuto adjustable baseplate works well with all the HDV cameras, not sure about Canon XLH series.
The more expensive alternative is to use a smaller box for the smaller cameras. Petroff, Chroizel and Vocas make 4x4 boxes . The bigger boxes can take up to the largest filters for the larger element HD lenses as well as the smaller 4x4 filters. If you already own a bunch of 4x5.6 filters, you'll be more inclined to use them and your existing box on your HVX camera (even if it dwarfes your camera).
 
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