Best cheap Matte Box?

[Scot Yount]

I wrote about this already, but figure this may help anyone searching for "best cheap matte box"




Well...


...I recently had a little hands on time w/ the camtree mb23, and I was impressed for how much bang there is for the buck.

Throw-Away pricing ($230+S&H) and surprisingly well constructed (especially for the price)

Carbon fiber hood, aluminum, 2 stage, and swing-away:
http://www.amazon.com/CAMTREE-MB-23...8&qid=1448601661&sr=8-1&keywords=camtree+mb23

It does not have a mount for a bottom flag/lip
And the included filter trays are plastic(the only thing that is) for 4x4


However, you can swap those for metal trays like the cheapish ones made by cavision:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/310681-REG/Cavision_MBH4X4M_6_MBH4X4M6_4x4_Metal_Filter.html


Also, 4x4s are adequate for the most small compact primes such as the Contax 2.8 "speeds" (77mm and series 9 filters do).
I suspect they will work for Leica's too (it is stills glass and 4x4 is bigger then 77m/series 9 filters).



Would it stand up to rugged weekly production schedules for years?... I doubt it

But for the price(well under $300) its definitely worth checking out (comes w/ custom hardcase too).

I have one of these as well. There is a lot to like for such a throwaway price. If you just want to keep the sun out of your eyes, then get the 10 dollar shades....Again, this is 4x4 only.

 

[Daniel Reed]

I posted this elsewhere as well...


I got a tip about adding Black Flocked Self-Adhesive Paper to the inside of matte box flags to provider further contrast (reduce internal reflections):
http://www.thorlabs.us/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=190&partnumber=BFP1


BFP1 technical info:

Flocked paper is a self-adhesive material made of many fine fibers.
It has a textured, matte-black surface. When viewed at from low angles,
it absorbs virtually 100% of the visible light that strikes it.
The fibers will not shed dust or lint, unlike some velvet and felt materials.
The approximate compressed thickness of the flocked paper is 0.015" (0.381 mm) with the backing and 0.012" (0.305 mm) without the backing.


Image contrast can suffer due to stray light reaching the focal plane of many applications where the light path travels through a tube or other enclosed area.
Applying a flat-black paint to the inside may help, but a textured matte-black surface is a much more effective light trap.

 

[Matt Ryan]

Bright Tangerine are having some holiday specials at the moment. Contact a local dealer or Bright Tangerine directly for more details. rob@brighttangerine.com

For Example:

 

[Ben Scott]

shoot 35's mattebox is great if 4x4" filters are okay for you.