Redrock Micro Mattebox/Zacuto Z-Focus Compatibility Question

[Kevin McCallister]

Hey Guys,

I've had the Zacuto Z-Focus follow focus for a while, and I just got the Redrock Micro mattebox for use with my AF100. However, when I tried to mount them both tonight, I found that spacing the two was very difficult. In order to get the mattebox close enough to the lens on the AF100 (a Nikon AI 35mm), I had to move the mounting arm so close on the rails that I could not turn either the Z-Focus or mattebox knobs to tighten them to the rails (see attached pics).

Anyone have any tips on how to space the two? Is there an adjustment that I'm overlooking? As far as I can figure, there's no way I'll be able to use the mattebox when I have my Nikon AI 50mm lens on the camera, since it's even shorter. Could this just be an issue specific to the size of these particular lenses? What am I doing wrong?

 

[Oliver Rush]

Anyone have any tips on how to space the two? Is there an adjustment that I'm overlooking? As far as I can figure, there's no way I'll be able to use the mattebox when I have my Nikon AI 50mm lens on the camera, since it's even shorter. Could this just be an issue specific to the size of these particular lenses? What am I doing wrong?

View attachment 32529View attachment 32528

I had the same issue with mine and the 50mm nikon, and ended up not keeping my redrock af100 rig because of it. On solution would be to put a hood on the 50mm which would let you keep the mattebox further away from the lens, but yea, I find the RR mattebox to not work well with smaller still lenses... I will say it was great on a RED setup with the large red pro primes I used on set for one shoot.

On a side note, it was a shame it did not work out well with the 50mm and the RR mattebox in my situation, as it is a lens that really needs a hood/mattebox on the AF100. I love the 50 1.4, but it is rather susceptible to flaring and ghosting with the AF100. I have found that if I am going to get a flare or ghosting in a situation, it will be with that lens, but a good hood will solve that 99% of the time.

 

[Kevin McCallister]

Thanks for the quick reply Oliver. What do you use instead for a mattebox? I'm really bummed, I love the quality of the RR mattebox, but if it's not going to work with any of my lenses, then what's the point?

 

[Oliver Rush]

Thanks for the quick reply Oliver. What do you use instead for a mattebox? I'm really bummed, I love the quality of the RR mattebox, but if it's not going to work with any of my lenses, then what's the point?

That was my feeling as well. I REALLY wanted to like it, but it did not work well with my lenses I needed it for, so what was the point... I am still looking for a solution, but am currently using hoods dedicated to each of my lenses so I dont have to waste time swapping them, and thank god (or panasonic in this case) for internal NDs.

I got this cheap one in particular for my 50mm, that works great for flare control, and does not vingette on m4/3 with it (I am not sure about with FF35mm, but does not matter with the AF100)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280645319979#ht_4178wt_5726

I have a nikon HN-3 hoods for my 24mm and 35, and the 85, 135, and 11-16 have their own hoods.

It is an imperfect solution that is getting me by while I work out the mattebox situation, but I am happy in the meantime... Now, when I need to use a grad filter and/pr a polarizer, I may be annoyed.

 

[Kevin McCallister]

Thanks for the link! I'm going to re-assess my options. Along with the mattebox, I bought a 4x4 polarizer, so I really want to see if I can figure out any way to keep it for that. I have to imagine this is a pretty large issue that extends beyond the old Nikon manual primes. Thanks again for your input. Glad to know I'm not alone.

 

[Oliver Rush]

Thanks for the link! I'm going to re-assess my options. Along with the mattebox, I bought a 4x4 polarizer, so I really want to see if I can figure out any way to keep it for that. I have to imagine this is a pretty large issue that extends beyond the old Nikon manual primes. Thanks again for your input. Glad to know I'm not alone.

Yea, I know how you feel about the filters... I have a set of five 4x4 filters (Polar, .6 ND grad, grad CTO, grad CTB, promist) I ordered in anticipation, that are still sitting in their cases unused... it def a bummer, but I consol myself that atleast I have them when I finally find a better solution, and at least I got a good deal on the set.