Cavision Warning

[spitfire]

We purchased Cavision’s new 6X6 universal matte box for use on RED cameras 60 & 61, and have returned it for a host of reasons. The most serious of which is shown in the attached photos. The spacing between the 19mm rods does not match the industry standard used by RED, ARRI, and others. It’s off by a couple of millimeters, and after weeks of haggling, the folks at Cavision informed us that’s acceptable to them and that the flawed unit we returned matches the rest of their product line perfectly, implying that they don’t intend for their products to interface with anyone else’s. You can get their box on the very end of a set of 18’’ rods on a RED, but only the at the very ends, because there is just enough flex in the rods to make it fit. But adding a RED adapter or an ARRI follow focus will stiffen the rods up, and it’s game over.
After five weeks of back and forth with Cavision, they still have not taken it upon themselves to verify the photos we sent them detailing the problem. They could have simply obtained an ARRI or RED accessory piece, and confirmed or denied our complaint. Instead, they informed us by email that they intend to charge our credit card a 10% restocking fee! That’s a $250.00+ charge for alerting them to a serious design flaw. Naturally we will dispute the charge, but thought the RED community should be aware of the problems with Cavision products, as well as the overwhelming lack of customer support in finding a common sense resolution. Please feel free to contact us for more information about problems with this unit.

 

[Adrian Correia]

where oh where is Curt! He can save us! Honestly though, I bought a Cavision mattebox a few years ago to use with my JVC GYDV500E and was never satisfied with how it mounted, the general build and of course the customer support. Since then, never been back and am happier for it.

 

[Jarred Land]

Thanks for the Warning Spitfire. I have notified Cavision.

 

[Michael Stanmore]

Ta muchly Spitfire.

Looks like my list of possible matte box options is getting real short. Bring it on, Kurt!

 

[Gian Joon]

Thanks guys for sharing that.

 

[HD Hildebrand]

That's too bad. I've had one of thier matteboxes for a long time and have really liked it. Was hoping to keep them as a contender. But really, what's up with the customer service? Here's the tip of the day: Happiness = sales.

 

[Chris Forbes]

Thanks for the warning I was going to order their new matte box for the EX1.

 

[Michael Schrengohst]

When someone gets a REDROCK I would like
to see how that fits.

 

[Jaime Vallés]

When someone gets a REDROCK I would like
to see how that fits.

Agreed. I'd also like to see the Redrock Mattebox mounted on the Zacuto 15mm rails on a RED.

 

[Jay A. Kelley]

I spoke to Bernie about this Mattebox, and he told me about the non-returnable aspect of it.. I told him as long as that was the case, I could not make an order. I was shocked he walked away from the business, but now I guess I know why!
Jay

 

[Greg David]

IF this is in fact the case then they can kiss my business goodbye FOREVER.

 

[Manfred Lopez]

Thanks for the warning. I love reading posts like these that unmask particularly ugly business practices. The fact that Jarred contacted them and they haven't bothered to respond here says a lot about them. Don't they understand the film business and how small it is? I mean this site represents a potential customer base of 4,000 to 5,000 people.

 

[Poi Boy]

I've gone with the Vocas 450...a superb box and with red accents it looks like it was made for red.
Aloha
-A

 

[Matthew Rogers]

I've gone with the Vocas 450...a superb box and with red accents it looks like it was made for red.
Aloha
-A

How much did that end up costing and where did you get it from?

Matthew

 

[Poi Boy]

I think it was about $4500. and the engineering is outstanding. I got it through Miller Canada. Talk to Roger, very nice guy and very knowledgeable.
Aloha
-A

 

[Brent J. Craig]

Can anyone explain what the photos in Post#1 are showing and what I should be looking for in them?

 

[Gavin Greenwalt]

Unfortunately no-returns is probably also a result of the exploitations of the film student mentality: "Buy now. Return later."

 

[Shawn Nelson]

Come'on Cavasion, where are you? Hop on this board and clear this thing up...if you have any desire to keep business

 

[Jonathan L. Bowen]

haha, this kind of thing is hilarious to me. How can you honestly believe in this type of business that you can screw over a customer and offer awful support and that it won't cost you a LOT MORE MONEY than just trying to be helpful. When I had a problem with B&H, notably that I was told my order would ship before their 6-month long Jewish holiday or whatever (ok it was like 2 weeks but that was completely unacceptable), then I didn't get my equipment in time for a shoot so I had to rent a bunch of stuff and spend extra money, at least they were nice enough to send me a $200 check back and apologize for the mixup. It's good they did, too, I was going to have my attorney draft them a letter because I considered it a pretty serious mistake. But their gesture of good will made me happy with the company to some extent, I still think a professional business can't just shut down for any reason, it's unprofessional, I don't care what religion or political persuasion you are this is the United States it isn't Afghanistan or something. At least now I'll order from B&H again, actually preparing another $4,000 order, so they kept my business provided they are actually open. The fact they close at 1 p.m. on Friday's, which is in reality 10 a.m. in real time (who cares about East Coast time, sorry, the film industry operates on West Coast time), also seems pretty lame. But for the 165 days or so per year where B&H actually decides to, you know, do business, they're awesome with their prices and services. Just don't be surprised when they go on a four-week vacation for a holiday you've never heard of.

As for these clowns and their matte box, it's not rocket science that in an age where everyone has a computer and the Internet that if you start screwing someone over they're going to hurt you badly. It reminds me of Maddox, the hilarious and brutal online comedian, who got screwed by some company I can't even remember which one, and he posted about his experience online, and little did this retarded company know that he gets about 1-5 million views on every article he posts, so pretty soon that company's e-mail box was FLOODED with thousands upon thousands of angry fans of Maddox blasting the company saying they would never use them again unless they apologized and made the situation right. Well, sure enough, tail firmly between legs, the company came back and made things right. That's the power of the Internet. Rest assured if you're a big enough fish nobody, NOBODY wants to screw with you, because it can't possibly hurt you as much as it can hurt them. I hope these guys learn their lesson.

 

[Jay A. Kelley]

You know, I don't want to rub this in, but since I decided to start the ARRI group buy on the matteboxes, a lot of people have asked me "Why in God's name do you want to spend so much for a mattebox?!"

The issue with CAVision is one reason. I KNOW I am getting the best there is, I will be treated a specific way because I am purchasing an item like ARRI(The guys we decided to use; Abel Cine, have been wonderful to us) and this means a lot right now.

Don't get me wrong, I am really going to "cheap out" in some areas due to lack of funds, but we're getting a LOADED ARRI MB-20II for the same price (And in some people's cases a little less) than the Vocas.

I was going to use CAvision for their follow focus cause I heard good things about it. Sigh....Not anymore.

ARRI is great, but it's not the only choice. In fact the CAvision was at the top of my list for a while. Then I began to get worried because I realized how HEAVILY I will be depending on the mattebox.. So I went with the MB-20 to play it safe.

When it comes to items that DIRECTLY affect my picture, I'm going to be veeeerryyyy careful.

Jay