Why are Chrosziel products so expensive?

clay-walk

clay-walk

Active member
I am not trying to pick a fight as I own the matte box & now the center bracket and the rails are on the way.
 
But, I can't help but wonder staring at this $180 piece of metal, why it costs so much.
 
If my the parts on my mountain bike were on this pricing scale, my bicycle would cost about $30,000....
 
I realize that there are alternatives as well but what's the deal basically?

Limited supply and great demand?
 
Re: Why are Chrosziel products so expensive?

more like limited demand, therefore they'd have to charge more to make up for design costs.
 
Re: Why are Chrosziel products so expensive?

I bought my mattebox, rods an follow focus from Chrosziel here in Germany directly and asked the same question.

The answer was:
- a 4 x 4 mattebox like the one for the DVX is sold less
than 500 times a year, the follow focus less than 250 times
- The mattebox consists of approx 20-30 parts including the
rods and each of them has to be constructed, prototyped,
machined, finished etc. Some parts like the hood of the mattebox
need a mould and all this is quite expensive
(especially with the comparably high labour cost here in Germany)
- So limited demand is actually the reason for the high prices,
throw in the high precision and excellent material and you
know why.
 
Re: Why are Chrosziel products so expensive?

I hope some asian country start making mass amounts of matteboxes. I couldn't care less if it's a little bit less in quality
 
Re: Why are Chrosziel products so expensive?

[quote author=booggerg link=board=Links;num=1083276336;start=0#3 date=05/02/04 at 06:32:32]I hope some asian country start making mass amounts of matteboxes. I couldn't care less if it's a little bit less in quality[/quote]

There is a company called Cavision that does just that, they are canadian company but the matteboxes are made in China. Not bad though, and I worked out a special deal for DVXUser members of $199 for a 3x3 mattebox without rods, $299 with rods.
 
Re: Why are Chrosziel products so expensive?

Jarred

Does the Cavision matte box allow for ND grads to slide in to a visual alignment? Thinking here of controlling the side north light window. Also for the sky does the same ND grad do so by a simple 90 degree rotation?
Still no battery.

Dunn
 
Re: Why are Chrosziel products so expensive?

No, you dont really need rods, its a lightweight design. Rods help lock it on so it doesnt fall off, but is not necessary.

Bill, yes the cavision box has a rotatable filter tray that can also slide in and out, but with a 3x3 you have very little surface area. The 3x3 mattebox can as well use 3x4 filters, which gives you some extra vertical alignment.

Email your paypal address and I will email your tracking number for the battery.
 
Re: Why are Chrosziel products so expensive?

email Jason@cavision.com and ask for the 3x3 DVxuser special. I actually am overdue on the review, there was a few things I needed to test but it should be done soon. I have  uploaded the photos, and you can see it here:  http://www.dvxuser.com/articles/CV33/

Seriously though, not bad for $199 without rods or even $299 with the rods. Between this and the MAtteblox http://www.cinetactics.com/mb100m.php it gives the budget filmaker a few options.
 
Re: Why are Chrosziel products so expensive?

SOLD, 2 weeks I'm buying a Cavision! :) Can't wait for that review...
 
Re: Why are Chrosziel products so expensive?

What kind of filters will the Cavision 3x3 take? I know the Cineatec's will take cheap Cokin Filters
 
Re: Why are Chrosziel products so expensive?

the 3x3 takes 3x3 glass filters, or 3x4 filters with the optional 3x4 tray.. or you can slide Cokin P filters right in without using a tray, they fit perfectly. They also make a 4x4 version for $349, which can take 4x4 and 4x5 filters (much more common, but expensive) and Cokin now has a new Z? filter that is the 4x4 size so you can use them in trays.
 
Re: Why are Chrosziel products so expensive?


That mattebox does not work with the Anamorphic adapter right? I'd be sold instantly if it works with the adapter, since I can't use any filters on that adapter.

Has anyone jerry-rigged 4x4 adapters on the Anamorphic adapter?
 
Re: Why are Chrosziel products so expensive?

The $199 for the 3x3 and $299 with rods are good prices, but they're the same numbers they sent me in February. I don't know, maybe the prices went up? If not, you can just buy the system outright without mentioning dvxuser. By the way, I believe the rods are 8mm that work with the 3x3. Keep that in mind if you plan on buying the follow focus rig they have. It only works with their 15mm rods. The follow focus is much cheaper than the Chrosziel system, too. I think it's $700 with rods and dvx100 focus ring.
 
Re: Why are Chrosziel products so expensive?

I have the 3 X 3 and am very pleased. It is not cumbersome (like some of the ones i've seen that just look ridiculous). It's a 2 Stage box with 1 rotating (as Jarred mentioned).

The build quality is very high (plastic, molded, professional). If you are using a UV Filter or plan to (as I am due to the non-use of the lens cap now) make sure it has a OUT thread.)

The Mattebox will also accept 4 X 3 Filters but you will need a 4 X 3 Filter Tray (These are not much at all $20 something if I remember correctly; not gonna go dig up the invoice).

I would reccomend this product. I am not using rods nor the pistol grip. My DVX is looking pretty sweet with the Box and the Petrol LCD cover now! :D

I'm using the following filters:

Sun Grad
Blue Grad
Grad ND
Polorizer
Soft Effects

And OMG, yes, what a difference these make on imagery! The soft effects filter is a case of "What crows feet?!" LOL
 
Re: Why are Chrosziel products so expensive?

[quote author=John Hudson link=board=Links;num=1083276336;start=0#15 date=05/03/04 at 17:22:50] My DVX is looking pretty sweet with the Box and the Petrol LCD cover now!  :D
[/quote]


I was Dp'n a shoot about 3 weeks ago and one of the producers had a DVX, he saw this 3x3 and said " I gotta get me one of those thingies, they make that camera look so much nicer"
 
Re: Why are Chrosziel products so expensive?

Image is everything. Well not really, but you know what I mean. :P
 
Re: Why are Chrosziel products so expensive?

Jarred.. when you releasing your review on it? Can't wait... and i assume this mattebox will work for any cameras, we'd just need the adequate adapter ring?
 
Re: Why are Chrosziel products so expensive?

Dear Jarred,

Thank you for making a deal with Cavision for the 3x3 Matte box. ;) Just want to ask couple question

Is your deal cover the 4x4 matte box as well (of course, not the same price as the 3x3, but at a discount price?)

Do Cavision accept international order? (Like Hong Kong?) ???
 
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