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Scarlet Matte Box??

Terry VerHaar

Terry VerHaar

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I know the RED team is up to their ears in their To-Do list, but I was hoping someone might be able to take a moment to comment on the Scarlet Matte Box that was mentioned in passing awhile back. I believe it was Jarred that mentioned they were planning a slightly smaller matte box that would be more appropriate to the Scarlet. Personally, I am in the market for one, although not in a desperate hurry, and thought I'd see if it was worth waiting for such an animal.

Not asking for any timetables, just any information you guys are willing to share about relative size, features, priority, etc. Since we are all so desperate for Scarlet to ship and there hasn't been a whole lot of info recently, maybe this will distract us a bit! Thanks. :001_smile:
 
Yeah that would be nice to hear about it !
 
Hopefully it's also a bit cheaper. :) I'm not real enthusiastic about paying for a matte box that costs about a sixth as much as the camera.
 
Trevor Harris said:
Hopefully it's also a bit cheaper. :) I'm not real enthusiastic about paying for a matte box that costs about a sixth as much as the camera.
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Agreed
 
Trevor Harris said:
Hopefully it's also a bit cheaper. :) I'm not real enthusiastic about paying for a matte box that costs about a sixth as much as the camera.
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I think one of the ironies of a camera as capable as the Scarlet will be, but still awfully affordable, is this potential imbalance in the relationship between the basic unit and high quality accessories and modules. For example, look at the price of the outrigger handle in the RED store ($350) or even just the typical cost of rails and plates. Or SSDs at $950 to $3200. I am not sure there is any way around this, though. I think we have to look at it as the camera being a real bargain while many of the accessories are simply fairly priced. I suspect the matte box falls into that category. The fact is, and I have been looking, you can't really get a reasonably functional matte box for any less than several hundred or even a thousand dollars.

I suppose RED could raise the price of Scarlet just to make everything seem more balanced!! (KIDDING!!!!) :nonod:
 
I've often wondered why matte boxes are so expensive. I'm sure RED's are extremely well built and will last forever, but I feel like someone could make one out of plastic that would be perfectly usable, sell it for a hundred bucks or so, and make a killing off the prosumer/DSLR crowd.
 
Sam Eilertsen said:
I've often wondered why matte boxes are so expensive. I'm sure RED's are extremely well built and will last forever, but I feel like someone could make one out of plastic that would be perfectly usable, sell it for a hundred bucks or so, and make a killing off the prosumer/DSLR crowd.
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Totally agree. The thing is if you're going for the Scarlet Cinema you will need a very flexible matte box and/or follow focus. Haven't seen one of those anywhere.
 
Sam Eilertsen said:
I've often wondered why matte boxes are so expensive. I'm sure RED's are extremely well built and will last forever, but I feel like someone could make one out of plastic that would be perfectly usable, sell it for a hundred bucks or so, and make a killing off the prosumer/DSLR crowd.
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Cavision 3x3 mattebox, $164.95. Usable?

I think the Scarlet 8x has 77mm threads, so you could also use something like a Cokin P filter holder with hood. Those filter holders are about $10.
 
oy....3x3...i would say might work for fixed scarlet. If i knew the measurements of the lens...but I think it only has one slot for glass, thats a bummer. I would say 3x3...this is the one I use....its not the best, but it was funny, we bought a 4000 dollar rig from redrock and the mattebox was the same as mine! haha! So i think its a good deal for the price.

http://www.indisystem.com/products/indimatte_pro

If you will use rails for the scarlet, im sure this will fit it. and its not too bad on the pocketbook :)
 
Solomon Nero said:
oy....3x3...i would say might work for fixed scarlet. If i knew the measurements of the lens...but I think it only has one slot for glass, thats a bummer. I would say 3x3...this is the one I use....its not the best, but it was funny, we bought a 4000 dollar rig from redrock and the mattebox was the same as mine! haha! So i think its a good deal for the price.

http://www.indisystem.com/products/indimatte_pro

If you will use rails for the scarlet, im sure this will fit it. and its not too bad on the pocketbook :)
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Solomon - as I am just familiarizing myself with the nuances of matte boxes in anticipation of a Scarlet purchase, I have a couple questions about this. Since a 3x3 filter only translates to about 76 mm, and I believe the outer ring of the Scarlet lens is 80mm or more, isn't there going to be an issue of coverage/vignetting? And, even if it manages to squeak by on the Scarlet, would it not fail to cover any lens bigger than that on another camera (when I get my Epic, of course!)?

Also, how did you spend $4000 on a RedRock matte box? From there web site, it looks like their complete kit is only $995. Thanks.
 
Terry VerHaar said:
Solomon - as I am just familiarizing myself with the nuances of matte boxes in anticipation of a Scarlet purchase, I have a couple questions about this. Since a 3x3 filter only translates to about 76 mm, and I believe the outer ring of the Scarlet lens is 80mm or more, isn't there going to be an issue of coverage/vignetting? And, even if it manages to squeak by on the Scarlet, would it not fail to cover any lens bigger than that on another camera (when I get my Epic, of course!)?

Also, how did you spend $4000 on a RedRock matte box? From there web site, it looks like their complete kit is only $995. Thanks.
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it was 4000 on a redrock rig (rails, handles, follow focus) that came with a 1000 dollar mattebox, (sorry should have been more speciofic) and no that mattebox I posted is not 3x3, it is 4x4 which is why I was suggesting it :)

Sorry for the delayed response!

p.s. rotating filters on that mattebox I posted ;) its not the best build ever, the french flag screw doesn't stay tight all the time, but for the price....cant beat it that I have found :)
 
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Solomon Nero said:
... that mattebox I posted is not 3x3, it is 4x4 which is why I was suggesting it :)
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Yeah - I should have picked that up when I clicked on your link. Duh. :001_smile: Thanks for the info. BTW - is 4x4 sufficient for the Fixed lens (28mm equiv) ), even potentially with a wide angle adaptor? Again, thanks.

(EDIT: Basically what I am trying to figure out is when/why I might need to go to 4 x 5.65)
 
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Solomon Nero said:
I have never been wider then 18mm, I honestly dont know beyond that point. And I hope this info helped! :D
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Definitely. Thanks. Basically what I might do is get one of those cheap MBs from India to fool around with on my current cameras and use it to figure out what would work best for Scarlet. Fun times. :thumbup1:

Especially since it doesn't look like anyone from RED is going to respond to my initial post. :sad:
 
Elmer Tenkink said:
Might be interesting, defiantly to put on a list of interest, shoot35.
I don't have personal experience with shoot35 but there matt box seem ok to try.

http://www.shoot35.com/products/cinebox/cineboxmainframe.html
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That looks cool! but 450 euro...that is a little expensive compared to 350 US. Worth a shot though! Looks like it is also 4x4 and rotating trays, looks pretty good! But what I cant tell about it is if it has a swivel mount. The Indimattepro mattbox swivels so you can change a lens without taking off the whole assembly. That was a nice touch I thought :)
 
Solomon Nero said:
That looks cool! but 450 euro...that is a little expensive compared to 350 US. Worth a shot though! Looks like it is also 4x4 and rotating trays, looks pretty good! But what I cant tell about it is if it has a swivel mount. The Indimattepro mattbox swivels so you can change a lens without taking off the whole assembly. That was a nice touch I thought :)
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It has a swing away hinge. And the price is in pounds so even a bit more expensive :-(
I came this across in search of affordeble gear here in EU, as importing is long and expensive.
I wish we had Filmtools.com here..
If the scarlet comes out we could do a site by site test :-)
 
Hi is there any news on a Scarlet mattebox yet? I have not seen any on reduser but maby some body have more info.
 
4x4 matte box should be fine for Scarlet fixed. I was looking at 4 x5.65 to handle larger front lenses on some of my 16mm zooms. Since Scarlet fixed apparently has built in ND filters one could do OK with screw in 77mm filters and a lens hood for basic things like UV filters and polarizers. If you want to get creative and use graduated filters though you will need a matte box with at least one rotating stage.
New I like the Vocas MB250 for a decent quality and light weight 2 stage model, but they start around $800. Swing away is a bit overkill for a fixed lens camera. you only need that feature for frequent lens changes. A clamp on will be more practical and lighter.
 
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