ARRI MMB-1 with Canon L-lenses, how to do it?

[Carl Dieker]

I am going to get a matte box for my EPIC and would like to know how I could make the ARRI MMB-1 work with still lenses. I am going to attach it with LWS 15mm rods, not as a clamp on.

The MMB-1 has a 143mm back, where as many Canon L-lenses have a 77mm front diameter. So in order to make the MMB-1's 143mm back work with lenses that have a 77mm front it seems like one would need the following items:

Arri K2.66098.0 143-138mm clamp-on adapter ring for MMB-1
Arri K2.65199.0 138mm to 80mm clamp-on ring for MMB-1 with Sony HVR-V1 (also requires p/n K2.66098.0)
Zacuto Universal Donut for use with Petroff matte box/donut - Z-UD (ZUD)

Could anyone confirm if this a possible solution? If not, how else could one make it work?

/Calle

 

[Carl Dieker]

video on Arri MMB-1 and still lenses

video on Arri MMB-1 and still lenses

When I googled I came across this informative video by AbelCine:

http://www.productionhub.com/video/view.aspx?item=2748

While the video explains ways to make the MMB-1 work with Canon still lenses using clamp ons, step-up rings and donuts, it doesn't give out the solution in full detail. Also this video was posted in 2009 and maybe there are new and more optimal manners to go about this?

 

[Ruff]

I think you are on the right path, but do't have mine in front of me right now sorry.

I use the 80mm screw in ring to reduce the 138mm. (with some other bits in between).

Just follow the Arri configuration - it's fantastic. If you get stuck, flick Arri an email. Their support is fantastic.

 

[Taj Jackson]

Hey Carl.. had the exact same situation (MMB-1 143mm back)
Mitch and Liz at AbelCine helped me out a lot with what I needed get to use my Canon L Lenses. This is what I bought from them. It works great!!!

AR-338568 Arri 143mm Bellows Ring, 138 - 114 mm
AR-338246 Arri Connecting Ring 114-100
AR-338236 Arri Connecting Ring 100-80
TI-7277SUR* Tiffen 72 - 77 Step Up Ring (makes the outside lens diameter of Canon Lens fit 80)

Hope that helps

Taj

 

[Mitch Gross]

The solution we did for Taj continues to be what I would recommend. A filter thread of 77mm is for the inner diameter of the ring. The outer diameter is what the mattebox ring must wrap around. In the case of a 77mm filter thread, the OD is just a hair shy of 80mm, which is perfect.

 

[Greg M]

We are just velcroing the Zacuto donut inside the 143-138mm ring and it works great.

You will need the donut because most of the zooms move in/out so a 80mm ring doesnt work.

BTW- if you are just using primes, and the front element doesnt move, arri makes a specific Still lens clamp on kit in all the Canon sizes (72,77,82mm)

 

[Carl Dieker]

Thanks Greg, Mitch, Taj and Ruff!


PS: Mitch, I just sent you a pm.