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Bright Tangerine VIV or Misfit?

Tom Greenberg

Tom Greenberg

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I am trying to decide between the Bright Tangerine VIV and Misfit matteboxes for use on a Scarlet. This system will be used for a mix of documentary, Indie film, and corporate shooting. I'll be primarily using cine-converted still lenses from RP Lens...Nikkor, Contax, Leica R...either with the RED Canon AL mount (using Leitax mounts) or the Allstar A-Mount. All these lenses have been converted to 80mm fronts. I'm a bit concerned about the weight of a strictly clamp-on mattebox like the Misfit on these lenses, but there is a significant price difference between it and the VIV. Any thoughts would be welcome.

Thanks,
Tom
 
Hi Tom,

Looking at at the Tangerine options as well. Surely you have seen this: http://picturethisproductions.net/index.php/blog/reviews/279-viv and similar ,for Strummer. At any rate, there was a post that isn't handy now, indicating that Tangerine was bringing some new products to NAB. Do you have any Dragon and lens vignetting concerns, for your application, that the two options you are looking at do not satisfactorily address?

Thank you very much

Fury
 
I believe the Viv is bigger but has rod support and also a swing away option just released. On balance Id go with a Viv but it is bigger.

We have a Strummer which is extremely good and we are very pleased with it.
 
Now 6K is a 34.5mm sensor,. Reports are that a Zeiss ultraprime @16mm, 5K and Panavision filters is OK ,with VIV, but beyond that does anyone have any confirmed joy?

Thank you very much

Fury
 
Tom,

I can respond personally, if you'd like too... but for the benefit of everyone...

One of the "new" options for VIV is a swing away option. On all "Generation 2" VIVs, there will be pre-drilled holes for the owner to buy the swing away option and install it themselves. On the first generation of VIVs, the owner can send them to me, or any authorized Bright Tangerine outlet and they will drill the holes for you.

I feel that VIV provides the most options. I think it's something that you might be wanting today and needing in the future. You can use it as a clamp on mattebox. Further, it can accept rods in all three flavors (15mm LWS, 15mm Studio, 19mm Studio) if you choose to do so. Futher, VIV can 'expand' to any of these later as well. It has become my daily mattebox. I love it. (Yes, I actually use it.) There are rotating stages in VIV as well. Like all Bright Tangerine matteboxes, VIV can be anywhere from a single stage to three stages. If you like, you can "add" a stage by getting the rubber bellows option. It's 138mm, so you can place round filters in there, if you wish. Please keep in mind that if you use VIV without the rubber bellows, I can personally attest that it WILL CLEAR all three filter stages with no Vignetting in 5K on an Epic. The bellows causes some vignetting to about 24mm. This is due to the bellows pushing the entire system forward about 3/8 of an inch.

I use Misfit on our XDCam HD cameras all the time! It's light as a feather. I don't think it's any heavier than the heavy duty lens hoods provided by lens manufacturers! For sheer weight restrictions, this can't be beaten! Keep in mind there isn't a rotating stage in Misfit. You can get "rotating trays/filters" from third party vendors out there.

If the user plans on using prime still lenses that have been converted, and I know you personally have some gorgeous stuff, I don't think there would be any issues, clamping with Misfit; especially your lenses that have been "cine" modified, as they have a larger ring on the front to grab. That is a personal choice though. To be honest, I don't know if I would be willing to try that. Some of the still lenses I have do not have internal focus, and that would present a problem. I think if I were using Red Pro Primes, Zeiss, Cooke, etc, I would be willing to use a clamp on exclusive mattebox, as they are beefier lenses. I personally feel that you're asking a lot of that little step up ring, to support your entire mattebox, filters and flags; however, the Misfit is as light as they come... so now it's a matter of the weight of your filters and how many you're using. That's a personal decision, and I think it might be a tough one!

Both matteboxes can use top and side flags, and the flags are the same (model) for both units. (I guess I need to get off my rear end and actually EDIT the Misfit video this week! Perhaps that could help. If you're willing to give me a few days, I'll do my best to have it up and going!)

You know me Tom, I won't make the decision for you... But I hope I've presented you with enough information to make the right decision for you.

Curt
 
Avoid clip-on only matte boxes with manual focus stills lenses. The weight of the matte box will cause the focus ring to bind, and also puts a lot of stress on the relatively flimsy stills bayonet mounts. Even a 2-stage LMB-5 is not light enough when you drop filters in.

I've noticed this even on some older PL cine primes like Super Speeds. With a 3-stage clip-on, I would do a test at prep before going out without a rod-mounted MB.
 
Tom Greenberg said:
I am trying to decide between the Bright Tangerine VIV and Misfit matteboxes for use on a Scarlet. This system will be used for a mix of documentary, Indie film, and corporate shooting. I'll be primarily using cine-converted still lenses from RP Lens...Nikkor, Contax, Leica R...either with the RED Canon AL mount (using Leitax mounts) or the Allstar A-Mount. All these lenses have been converted to 80mm fronts. I'm a bit concerned about the weight of a strictly clamp-on mattebox like the Misfit on these lenses, but there is a significant price difference between it and the VIV. Any thoughts would be welcome.

Thanks,
Tom
Click to expand...

I have the Misfit.
It is awesome...and very light. That said, while I would pop it easily on any cine package, I'd be a little wary of stills glass like Contax...of which I have a full set. Even with one of the stages removed its just a tad to front heavy for such lenses. They just weren't designed for it. I noticed a bit of focus binding and so I'd probably recommend a version with rods.
 
Curt Pair said:
Tom,

I don't think there would be any issues, clamping with Misfit; especially your lenses that have been "cine" modified, as they have a larger ring on the front to grab. That is a personal choice though. To be honest, I don't know if I would be willing to try that. Some of the still lenses I have do not have internal focus, and that would present a problem. I think if I were using Red Pro Primes, Zeiss, Cooke, etc, I would be willing to use a clamp on exclusive mattebox, as they are beefier lenses. I personally feel that you're asking a lot of that little step up ring, to support your entire mattebox, filters and flags; however, the Misfit is as light as they come... so now it's a matter of the weight of your filters and how many you're using. That's a personal decision, and I think it might be a tough one!

Curt
Click to expand...

It is very light to be sure. Great quality...the best I've seen actually. But it will pose a problem with some stills glass. I've tested with Duclos cine mod'ed Contax (21, 28, 35, 50, 85, 135 & 200) and only the beefiest of them could handle the (albeit minimal) weight. The 85 and 200, being a bit more robust could take it. The rest had minor binding issues apparent when focusing. I'd assume Zeiss ZE/ZF would have similar issues.

I absolutely love Bright Tangerine's stuff. I'm now wanting to figure out a way to support the box easily as the size is perfect for most of my handheld work.
 
My vote goes for the Viv. I own a Viv and a Strummer and am blown away by the quality every time I use them. You won't regret a purchase.

Here's a look at the new Viv Swing Away option coming shortly:

Untitled.png
 
Thanks for all the comments! It doesn't sound like the Misfit is really the best tool for the job when used with still lenses. SInce that's what I'll be shooting with most of the time, I guess I'll have to save my pennies for the VIV or look at less expensive rod-mounted alternatives.

Curt or Matt...I really like the idea of the swing-away bracket...any idea how much it's going to cost?
 
Paul Schneider said:
I have the Misfit.
It is awesome...and very light. That said, while I would pop it easily on any cine package, I'd be a little wary of stills glass like Contax...of which I have a full set. Even with one of the stages removed its just a tad to front heavy for such lenses. They just weren't designed for it. I noticed a bit of focus binding and so I'd probably recommend a version with rods.
Click to expand...

You can't put clip-ons on Leica's or Contax style stills glass. they aren't meant to handle any weight on them. a lightweight 15mm setup for the mattebox wouldnt really add weight and would be a lot easier than clip on.
 
Jason Diamond said:
You can't put clip-ons on Leica's or Contax style stills glass. they aren't meant to handle any weight on them. a lightweight 15mm setup for the mattebox wouldnt really add weight and would be a lot easier than clip on.
Click to expand...


Agree. However the moving fronts of the lenses make that kind of thing a bummer unless you use a donut of some sort.

More folks should make a sliding system for the matte boxes...theres one or two out there, but should be more.
 
Absolutely love my VIV. Highly recommended. Sounds like it would be the best option for your needs. Curt will take great care of you.

IMG_2080.jpg
 
I just heard that Bright Tangerine will be producing a 15mm rod adaptation for the Misfit.
A 143mm back for the MatteBox will be available the week of June 17 and have a bracket similar to the VlV so it can mount the 15mm light weight bracket.

This should open it up to the converted stills glass everyone seems to like as well as allowing it simply to clip on in more robust situations.

Pretty cool news.
 
I use a Chrosziel 3x3 80mm clamp on with Nikon ZF lenses on epic. Best lightweight solution with two stages and one rotates.
 
Interesting about the 15mm adapter for the Misfit, Paul...that might be a good solution for some folks. Have to see what that looks like when it comes out. But I think I'm sold on a VIV at this point. Thanks to everyone for their useful input and comments...this is what I love about RU!
 
Hey folks,

I wanted to share that Misfit will INDEED now have a 15mm rod adapter AND a 143mm back. You'll also notice 10.5mm of vertical height adjustment too. Here are some images of the "new" model of Misfit.

With these new additions, it's very exciting out there. Bright Tangerine are closing the gaps between models! If you've never used a Misfit, it's quite light! I think it would be perfect for applications in the ENG/EFP world and for still lenses use with the rods! The "Reveal" system for converting from 2-3 stages is awesome! It truly is a one of a kind. It can be done in mere seconds too! Bright Tangerine have made this really cool feature even better too! They LISTENED to customer feedback, and NOW, this feature is also "tool-less." If you look at the images below, you'll notice two new silver knobs! Loosen these and you can remove the 3rd stage in a flash. Or, if running 2 stages, you can add the third! I think you'll see a lot more Misfits on the streets very soon!
 

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That is awesome news, Curt...thanks for the update!! I will have to look more seriously at some of the Misfits for our school cameras...
 
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