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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Best 4x.5.65 mattebox

I know this seems obvious, but what about the Red carbon fiber matte box? - In one of the videos, it looks like it will mount on rails, but is designed to just go on the end of a 110mm lens barrel. Any pluses or minuses on this that I am not seeing, since this will be my first matte box purchase?
 
kevin holmgren said:
I know this seems obvious, but what about the Red carbon fiber matte box? - In one of the videos, it looks like it will mount on rails, but is designed to just go on the end of a 110mm lens barrel. Any pluses or minuses on this that I am not seeing, since this will be my first matte box purchase?
Click to expand...

No circular filters, and I don't think the trays are rotatable yet (don't quote me on that).
 
kevin holmgren said:
I know this seems obvious, but what about the Red carbon fiber matte box? - In one of the videos, it looks like it will mount on rails, but is designed to just go on the end of a 110mm lens barrel. Any pluses or minuses on this that I am not seeing, since this will be my first matte box purchase?
Click to expand...

One minus is its size. It's just too big for me.
 
Hey Guys, for those using a Duclos 11-16mm and EPIC, which matte box are you using? I started a separate thread and only got one reply ... Arri MB-20 II.
In another post the Red Matte Box Pro was thought to vignette the duclos...
 
Gary Stang said:
Hey Guys, for those using a Duclos 11-16mm and EPIC, which matte box are you using? I started a separate thread and only got one reply ... Arri MB-20 II.
In another post the Red Matte Box Pro was thought to vignette the duclos...
Click to expand...

I would think the Arri Lmb-5 or Lmb-15 would work on the 11-16, but I'm not completely sure. Not working with my 11-16 is the main reason I wouldn't go with the OConnor O-BOX, as much as I like it.
 
The front of the duclos 11-16 is 80mm, so I use an 80mm ring in the rubber bellows.

Nick
 
I really like my Arri MMB-1. Abel sells the kit with a 143mm back and top load stage, first is side load. Then you can get the 138 bellows and it accepts a 138mm screw filter. For 19mm studio Abel has a great 15mm to 19mm studio adapter. It is an option, though for price not sure how it stands up, very versatile though. Red rock needs to update their mattebox, I don't think it is too good and I hate fiddling with the donuts.
 
Another +1 for the Obox! I love it!!
 
Shawn Nelson said:
Another +1 for the Obox! I love it!!
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i have a o-box and i love it as well. but is there anyway to have a longer filter in it- i.e. for when you use a grad filter and you want to move it up or down?

like using a 5.6x5.6 filter holder? do one of these exist or is there one in the pipeline?

paul
 
James McLellan said:
Hi Ryan,

Don't forget about Petroff. We like ours. Great customer service and made in Canada. Very reasonable price too.
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+1 for Petroff. Well designed 'straight-forward' light weight clip-on box with 15mm lightweight rod support option. 4x5.6 and 4x4 but no 138mm circular tray.

LMB 5 / 15's are amazing, but financially taxing. Having to purchase all the 'backs' as opposed to the cheaper step-down rings is another cost one may not be willing to do through.

I like the O-Box from my experience with it. I like that it has a rigid shade, and can be operated off of. I like the cheese stick for accessory mounting.
But I do not like the weight and form factor. It straddles and awkward line between studio mattebox, and light-weight clip-on in my opinion. Not fulfilling either very well..

I very much so like the newer MB-20 as a studio mattebox. 6x6 trays, fully adjustable, and easy to work with.

I do not particularly like the RED mattebox either.


One thing I do not like is that most of these company's decided to ignore hard mattes as a necessary tool in modern day film making.
 
I own an MB 20. Love it. Versatile and well built. Not cheap. Here's my rundown. If you can afford it, MB 19 is the best IMO. Build, performance, etc. Best value is by far the O'Box. It's build quality is tank like - on par with Arri. I'm currently shooting a TV show and we use two of these with O'Grips. Also, the 1/4" and 3/8" mounting points are great, especially if you like a small monitor in front of your face for handheld. What I don't like about the O'Box is if you use 15mm LWS, the rods can prevent the rotating tray from fully rotating unless you re-adjust your rod length every time you put up different length lenses. If your lenses are uniform in length or your running a zoom, this isn't an issue. If you're not using the 138mm round stage you can get at least 16mm wide. Regarding other low cost MB's, the Red Rock is too flimsy for prime time. Owned one for about an hour and sent it back. I've used Chrosziel 456-30's and they are too flimsy and leak light. I prefer the cheaper Chrosziel 450-1 or their small clip ons. Better, tighter build. I owned a Petroff. They feel cheap, and leak light. Would not last long in round the clock production. Sold it. Perhaps one of the most overlooked bargains is the Birns and Sawyer clip on. Incredibly small and lightweight but not cheaply built. Used on once on 80mm fronts and it peformed well. If you've the money, buy one studio box like an MB 20 or 19 and then buy a clip on. Arri's LMB clip ons are the best. Light, strong and easy to use. You will have to get a rotating pola tray since the stages do not rotate.
 
Ned Wilson said:
Best value is by far the O'Box. It's build quality is tank like - on par with Arri. I'm currently shooting a TV show and we use two of these with O'Grips. Also, the 1/4" and 3/8" mounting points are great, especially if you like a small monitor in front of your face for handheld.What I don't like about the O'Box is if you use 15mm LWS, the rods can prevent the rotating tray from fully rotating unless you re-adjust your rod length every time you put up different length lenses.
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Thanks for the good word Ned.

I wish we could do something about the rotating tray / LWS conundrum, but it's not the matte box -- the 4x5.65 glass is what's really getting in the way. Any rotating 4x5.65 filter on any mattebox is going to collide with LWS-standard rods, and that's not even counting the filter frame:
 

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Hey Jim, we decided to use 138mm polas in the bellows stage. I quite prefer this over rotating 4 x 5.65 but you do lose a small bit of angle (field of view). Does anyone make a rotating pola tray that'll fit in the O Box MB. That would be an ideal situation for when I need a pola and want to go as wide as the MB will allow. Also, the money saved in buying the O'Box can go towards a rotating pola tray. Eitherway, we're quite happy with the O Boxes, especially when you realize the frame was made for mounting stuff on it. It's so strong, that sometimes, for handlheld, I don't even attach an O Grip and just grab the O'Box old school Panavision style. I've absolutely no fear of bending or busting it. Often times, I'll have two O'grips and a monitor mounted to the O'Box. The best part is by mounting the O Grips on the O Box, it keeps the rods from getting too crowded. Which is especially handy for when you have to use special braced lens mounts. My only suggestion for the O'Box in future designs would be to perhaps tap another 3/8" O Grip mount as low as possible. This would make a more relaxing arm position for handlheld when using one O'Grip per side. Because the O'grips mount in the middle of the OBox, I feel the need for longer grip but because of the weight, I try to avoid adding a second set of O'Grip extensions. A lower 3/8" tap on each side may get the grips low enough to avoid adding extensions. For shorter takes, this isn't an issue and having to grip high is fine. It's the five minute plus take that going longer and lower with the grip that's an arm saver.
 
Hey Jim, is there a chance that OConnor will ever make metal trays for the OBox? I understand that the plastic will probably never break, but metal trays have smoother and easier action to lift the tab to put in/take out the filter. I know other makers trays fit (at least my chrosizel ones do), but they aren't as thick.
 
O-Box. I had a Red Rock Micro before that and it annoyed the hell out of me because it is flimsy.
I am using the O-box with a Chrosziel swing away adapter and it works just fine.

Unfortunately the Zacuto Zwing away adapter does not work....
 
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