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Arri's Mini Mattebox and Mini Follow focus V.S Redrock MB & FF

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Mo Kamal

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Anyone have any experience with the Arri Mini Mattebox and Mini Follow focus kit? http://www.abelcine.com/store/product.php?productid=1001192on of course I especially mean experience with it on a Red One

Being on a tight budget I couldn't really afford buying an Arri MB and FF, and I was a day or two away from sending redrock micro my money to purchase their MB and FF kits. Any of you guys know how the Mini arri kit would compare to the Redrock kit? the mini arri kit is still more expensive but I'm wondering how justifiable the difference in price is.
 
I have not used either one, but generally the consensus seems to be if you need your MB/FF last a long time - or are planning on renting out your gear, there is no choice but Arri. If you can live with a MB lasting not a lifetime and saving a huge part along the way, then the RR is the one to go for.
 
I'm not impartial on this so I'll refrain from responding. But I will offer to answer any questions you have on the gear specifically. I'll do so on the forum or privately if you prefer.
 
Thanks Martin, and Mitch how does the Mini kit compare to the abelcine Red MB and FF kits?
 
The complete Mini Kit that you linked on your first post was designed for the EX1/EX3 cameras. It fits lightweight 15mm rods and includes a baseplate to mount to those cameras. The mattebox has a clamp-on back with a 98mm ring to fit the EX lens and the follow focus includes a clamp-on ring to fit over that lens.

The Abel kits for the mattebox & follow focus are more specific for use with the RED One. The mattebox has a bellows back that can hold a 4.5" round filter and it has a 114mm back to fit to the RED 18-50 & 50-150. This ring can also take screw in rings to fit to common sizes such as 95mm & 80mm. Both kits also include an Abel Universal Rod Adapter to fit to 19mm studio rods.

These kits were devised (by me) to be a convenience to RED clients, but you are not limited to them. Feel free to contact use to design a custom configuration. For instance, we'll soon have our Abel Universal Rod Adapter available in a 15mm Studio version as well. Or if you are using lightweight 15mm frontrods via an adapter from RED, Long Valley Equipment or others, you could purchase the basic mattebox & follow focus on their own and mount directly to these rods for a nice small, lightweight configuration.

Hope this answers your question. Let me know.
 
The Redrock mattebox is very good, and probably comparable to the Arri mini model.

The Redrock follow focus is not as impressive, and probably not comparable to the Arri mini.
 
Personally, I would suggest getting the RedRock mattebox and a Arri follow focus. The RRM is not as feature loaded as the Arri, but for their first mattebox, it is an amazing mattebox. You could look at the viewfactor FF if you want to save some money. It's wireless also--which I find a plus.

Matthew
 
Matthew Rogers said:
Personally, I would suggest getting the RedRock mattebox and a Arri follow focus. The RRM is not as feature loaded as the Arri, but for their first mattebox, it is an amazing mattebox. You could look at the viewfactor FF if you want to save some money. It's wireless also--which I find a plus.

Matthew
Click to expand...

Id second this, Im really pleased with the RR matte box its of high quality and can be fitted with other manufacturers add on parts ie bellows and so on if you require.

Dave
 
Steve Freebairn said:
Dave,

What bellows work well with the RR mattebox? A link would be great!
Click to expand...

I dont think there is any, they just give you the Donuts for different Lens Diameters. I modified my RR to hold a Arri 6x6 138mm Bellows I found on Ebay. Now its not that bad of a Mattebox for under $1k
 
The Red Rock mattebox comes with a series of foam cutout rings to fit various lenses, but some find this type of configuration limited (I won't go into the reasons as I don't wish to sound disparaging of this product). But Red Rock designed in the mounting points to attach an Arri rear bellows assembly from the MB20-II. It is a couple of items needed: the mount plate, followed by the bellows assembly and then whatever rings you would need to fit your lenses. This can more than double the cost of the mattebox, but if you wish we can sell you these parts.

David, thanks and Happy New Year to you and everyone else here on REDuser.
 
Steve Freebairn said:
Dave,
What bellows work well with the RR mattebox? A link would be great!
Click to expand...

You can do what Mitch says above. Or you could potentially use the Zacuto Universal Donut with some stepping rings. I own a Redrock mattebox and the donuts work well for primes. They come in 1, 2, 3, and 4 inch diameters. The Redrock Mattebox isn't lightweight though so be aware of that. However... it's not always about the weight anyway!


On the note of follow focuses. I really must recommend the Zacuto Z-Focus. Abel sells it! They have a unique "flippable" design with adjustable play and you can easily upgrade it to be a double follow focus. They have a great design that can easily switch between 15mm lightweight, and the 15mm and 19mm studio rod configurations. I think it's a great follow focus to own. Definitely comparable or better than the Chrosziel! A little more than Redrock's, but worth the investment.
 
I just came across this Cinevate Follow Focus. I knew they were making one but I didn't know that it was on the market yet. It looks like a nice solid design with quite a bit of flexibility. I'll be interested in checking it out at NAB. It's pretty inexpensive as far as FF units go. here's a video from their site:
http://www.cinevate.com/website/index.php/cinevatevideouniversity/
 
Not sure if you'll already pulled the trigger on this but I've been using both Matteboxes for about 3 months and I'd have to call it for the RedRock, which surprised me. Don't get me wrong, the Arri is very well built and quite professional; I'm glad its in my kit. But, the RR has a few key features that put it over the top for me.

1. The RR has three rotating, 4x5.6 filter stages where the Arri has only two 4x5.6 filter stages that do not rotate. The upper hand for the Arri here though, depending on your filter set, is it's third rotating circular filter stage.

2. The RR has a swing-away front door. Which is fantastic for quick on-set lens changes and filter removal and cleaning. To get that with the Arri you'd have to 'swing' by Zacuto and pick up their recently released Zwing adapter. Which will tack on another 400 clams to your budget.

3. The Arri is less bulky than the RR and noticeably lighter as well. When doing any shots on our ActionCam rig (which is awesome, btw.) I always mount the Arri.

4. The RR is pre-packaged in form-core, designed specifically to taken out of the cardboard box and placed in a Pelican 1550 hard case. This gives it a tight custom fit instead of the less precise do-it-yourself method.

As for the follow focus we're currently only using the Arri's, which are great. So my opinion between both manufacturers stops there.

Overall both are terrific MB's. The Arri's going to last longer due to higher quality materials and is a better buy if your intention is to rent. But, if your kit is mainly used by you and you don't typically find yourself on inclement productions, the RR is a great alternative. It's clear RedRock put a lot of thought into this MB and they've done a hell of a job.
 
I'll throw my hat in the RedRock Matte Box/Arri Follow Focus ring. A great combination that I'm very happy with. I find both a joy to use.
 
Eric, I just wanted to note one small error. In point one you state that the Arri MMB-1 has two 4x5.65 trays which do not rotate. In fact, the rear stage does rotate. So coupled with the bellows back you mentioned which does in fact hold a 4.5" circular filter tray, you do have two filter stages that rotate.
 
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