Anyone have the Chrosziel 4.65 Academy Mattebox?

[Matthew Rogers]

Hey guys, I am thinking about upgrading my RedRock mattebox to the Chrosziel 4.65 Academy mattebox and was wondering if anyone else had one they were already using.

It seems to be like the high end Chrosziel's, but without some of the features. Just wondering what others thought.

Matthew

 

[John Howarth]

We've got the Chrosziel MB 456 Academy - although has 15mm support, primarily supply it as a lightweight clip on matte box (it was chosen as an alternative to the Arri LMB series clip on matte boxes, which I find are a bit basic and limited on features) Has three independently rotatable stages, find it very well designed, popular with our hire clients.

 

[Matthew Rogers]

Thanks for the comments John. I was able to find a steal of a deal on that mattebox today so I am pretty happy. I will miss the swing away feature of my RedRock, but the extra filter stage, a much better built mattebox (plus the name of quality looks good with clients), plus being able to use it as a clip on for lighterweight rigs makes me really happy!

Now if my 18mm RED prime will get here!

Matthew

 

[Larry McKee]

I will miss the swing away feature of my RedRock

You are in luck:

http://www.chrosziel.com/news.asp?wdid=17&wpid=102&sid=0

 

[Matthew Rogers]

You are in luck:

http://www.chrosziel.com/news.asp?wdid=17&wpid=102&sid=0

Yeah, I know about that. Not only is it really pricey (like $564!), but because I am going to use it with a 19mm to 15mm adapter, I am afraid it might be more in the way. I wonder if I couldn't have a machinist make something for $100-$200 that would be very similar.

I'm wondering if I couldn't make something from Zaucuto's stuff or just buy this for $150 cheaper: http://store.zacuto.com/zwing-away-adapter.html

Matthew

 

[Larry McKee]

The Zacuto adapter would probably work fine if you don't have a studio FF. I think the Chrosziel DSW 500 Adapter would work better if there is a FF knob on the dumb side. I could be wrong since I haven't tried the DSW 500.

 

[Tim Naylor]

I had both the Zacuto Jeep and Zwing Way for a Chrosziel 450. The problem with the Jeep 19 to 15 adaptor is its bottom tie down knob protrudes too low, bumping into most any sliding baseplate (I've ET 15mm studio w/ O'Connor 2060 sliding plate). Also, none of the tie down knobs ratchet which can be a real POA when you got small primes, FF and other accessories on rods. Sold it.

The Zwingway has the misfortune of not allowing the rods to pass through, forcing you to re-adjust baseplate rod for different length primes, forcing you to re-align your FF or any other accessories attached to your rods. We found sliding an MB forward on rods alot quicker. You could also attach a Zwingway to 19/15 to 15mm mini step up adaptor. I'd suggest Chrosziel or Abel if this is the route you're going since the tie down knob is out of the dovetail's way.

The system I use now for my Chrosziel 450 is ET's 15mm mini rod adaptor that attaches to the front of the camera. With 8" rods, it'll accommodate most any prime. Arri FF4, FF5, Chrosziel FF's all originate as mini 15mm, so it precludes the need for adaptors for my FF and MB and longer rods, saving a bunch of weight. When I'm shooting primes, I even leave the ET 15mm studio baseplate / sliding dovetail system at home. I just attach a Manfrotto sliding plate to my tripod's plate which between tripod head travel and manfrotto dovetail, I get about 7" of travel in either direction - more than enough to balance a RED with any prime. I then attach a Manfrotto baseplate to other accessories for quick on/off (see shoulder pad pic).

Hope this helps. I'm a big fan of keeping the camera as light and simple as possible, even with a full camera crew. With zooms of course I go back to the full baseplate set up.