Inexpensive Mattebox

[Francis Kenny]

http://www.reduser.net/forum/uploaded/7398_1214540077.jpg

I asked a friend, who is a great machinist, to make me a threaded 114 mm ring to screw in to my Red Lenses (18-50 and 50-150) The ring protrudes out 1/4" to allow the small, 2 stage Vocas DV Matte-box, to clamp on to. If you remove the outside 4x4 tray the 18-50 does not vignette. The 50-150 can use both trays. The Matte-box clamps on to the lip of the ring so as to not put undo pressure on the barrel of the lens (which could create a focus problem). The lens cap fits over it perfectly. Both rings were made in a couple of hours because I was leaving for a shoot in San Francisco and had no way use filters. I will get both rings anodized when I get the time. What's nice about this set up is that it is solid, will stay on the lens, takes 4x4 and 4x5.65 (vertical) filters. It does not require rods and all of the extra weight and paraphernalia. It works great and didn't cost me a small fortune to have a real matte-box with filtration.

 

[Francis Kenny]

http://www.shootmovies.com

Ok. Well, I could not figure out how to load a photo of the mattebox so I put it on the home page of my site. If anyone knows how to load a photo on a thread please let me know. It works when I send messages but this is my first thread. I am not the brightest about such things.

 

[Shawn Booth]

You already have your 50-150?

 

[Francis Kenny]

It is a loaner used for testing purposes kept at Sim. I was incorrect calling it "my Red Lenses". Although I do officially own the 18-50. Still waiting for my 50-150 to arrive via FedEx. Have you received yours yet? What number are they up to now? Or is their a shortage of these lenses? Thanks, F

 

[Shawn Booth]

No, I haven't received mine yet. I'm not sure where they are anymore. I lost track, it'll come when it does. Right now I have my EVF and Build 16 to play with.

 

[Martin Weiss]

Francis,

Thanks for sharing. To include images in your posts, you can either just end your line with

[/IMG]

or use this non-geeky way: When composing your message, click on the little button that looks like a postcard with mountains. A little window opens where you can insert the URL to your image. Enter and you are done.

 

[Francis Kenny]

Thank you Martin. I thought I had done what you suggested but when I went to "preview message" the photo did not appear. The html tag appeared but no photo. I will give it another try later today. The machinist charged me $75 apiece. I purchased the mattebox from Schneider. I think the mattebox cost me around $400. If people are interested in the ring I assume the price would be lower. $75 seems high to me. The material is airplane aluminum. If anyone is interested I would ask my friend if he was interested in making several more. He is now in Aspen for a two week vacation.

Martin....I have shot in Norway many times. My first job was on an oil rig off the coast of Stravanger. Then another off of Bergen. Years later I was part of a documentary that shot in Tromso. Norway is very beautiful and the people are wonderful. Have you ever had cloudberries?

 

[Jason Sinclair]

Does the unit have availability for flags?