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Mattebox: What´s a better choice ?

Frank Mirbach

Frank Mirbach

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Hi guys,

I´m about to order a matte box for our Red tomorrow. I´ve got two offers, both seem to be in the same price range, about 2.000 EUR

Arri MB20 and Chrosziel 805-2

Which one would you guys prefer ? Anyone with experiences with these two ?

Frank
 
MB-20 is very modular. I´m wondering if there´s some kind of item list for the Red with 18-15 and 50-150mm lenses you could recommend. Or do they have a Red package already ?
 
I like the Arri MB as well. The removable sunshade is great. It makes it quick and easy to switch to superwide lenses, and a rental house told me that since the shade pops off when bumped it ends up being much harder to break it.

The MB-20 is very modular and you will find parts for it anywhere you go.

Instruction manual is here: http://www.arri.de/prod/cam/mb-20/MB-20.pdf
 
If you don't need all of the features of the MB-20, the Redrock MB is actually really nice. A couple of minor quirks, but overall, for the money, hard to beat.

As others have said, the MB-20 is very modular, well built, and is an industry standard. You'll be able to rent it out much easier than the RR because of name recognition and the durability of Arri's gear. It has a well-deserved reputation.
 
stevesherrick said:
If you don't need all of the features of the MB-20, the Redrock MB is actually really nice. A couple of minor quirks, but overall, for the money, hard to beat.

As others have said, the MB-20 is very modular, well built, and is an industry standard. You'll be able to rent it out much easier than the RR because of name recognition and the durability of Arri's gear. It has a well-deserved reputation.
Click to expand...

Been told the Redrock isn´t that good. I own 4 Chrosziels for smaller cameras and I was generally pleased with them. They´ve been my choice as a compromise because of Arri´s prices. Today, in a phone call to Arri in Munich, I was surprised to hear that MB 20 is in the same price range the Chrosziel 805 is, which was recommended by Chrosziel for the Red. If that´s true, I think I´ll go for the Arri.
 
Have you tried the RR yet? I was surprised. It is really pretty good. But there are some quirks. Neoprene donuts is an example, although this isn't bugging me as much as I thought it would. You can add the Arri instead if you want. It's compatible with the RR.

But if you can afford the MB-20, then no doubt that's an excellent choice. The RR fits the gap between the low end junk and the high end, really expensive MBs. I use it for my own projects, and for big jobs, those rent Arri's or whatever they need.
 
stevesherrick said:
Have you tried the RR yet? I was surprised. It is really pretty good. But there are some quirks. Neoprene donuts is an example, although this isn't bugging me as much as I thought it would. You can add the Arri instead if you want. It's compatible with the RR.

But if you can afford the MB-20, then no doubt that's an excellent choice. The RR fits the gap between the low end junk and the high end, really expensive MBs. I use it for my own projects, and for big jobs, those rent Arri's or whatever they need.
Click to expand...

Haven´t tried the RR yet, but I asked an owner who´s going to sent it back due to quality issues. I think I´ll check Chrosziel´s and Arri´s offer for the two matteboxes tomorrow and if they really are almost the same, I´ll be with Arri. It´s just the best choice one can make here, I guess.
 
You'll be able to get parts for the MB-20 for years to come.
 
We have been using the RRMicro Mattebox on set of a feature the last 3 weeks and I feel it's a good mattebox but it does have it's issues.
1. Our front filter tray sticks and is very hard to release.
2. Donuts aren't great but I guess you could substitute those if needs be.
3. The sliding clips that hold the filters in place stick to the filter at times and would benefit from a top pin for release like the Arri.
4. Swing away arm doesn't lock into place which is kinda a pain. You could use Velcro as a quick solution but the Arri is preferable in this regard.

Overall it's held up well throughout the shoot but when I can I'm getting an MB20.
 
I agree with all of the issues Mike stated. Although, I only had limited time to play with my RRMB because of issue #1.

mikeburton said:
1. Our front filter tray sticks and is very hard to release.
Click to expand...

I had that same issue right out of the box and I sent the mattebox back for repair / replacement. Also had large gaps between stages, but re-seating the stages seemed to fix that mostly. Anyway, sent it back a while ago and I'm still without a mattebox now as I wait.

2. Donuts aren't great but I guess you could substitute those if needs be.
Click to expand...

Yep. And I found it helpful to stack multiple donuts to help the proper one hold itself in place. They really needed an actual slot or internal ring or something that would hold the donut better.

3. The sliding clips that hold the filters in place stick to the filter at times and would benefit from a top pin for release like the Arri.
Click to expand...

I encountered this with one filter. I could see where this could be a problem, maybe damage a filter if someone isn't careful when removing a filter from a tray.

4. Swing away arm doesn't lock into place which is kinda a pain. You could use Velcro as a quick solution but the Arri is preferable in this regard.
Click to expand...

Yes, it locks shut, why does it not lock open. Curious... Honestly I think this is just an oversight. But I do recall Finner suggesting that the mattebox be able to do this before RR changed the release knob to the current design, now also known as the "Finner Knob".

Overall it's held up well throughout the shoot but when I can I'm getting an MB20.
Click to expand...

I look forward to actually putting the RRMB through its paces... I think I'm going to go for the Arri MB-28 when it gets released. Supposedly it's hardly any bigger than an MB-20, but will take 6x6 filters and will fit larger lenses like my Cooke. I don't know much about it though since it's not released yet. Abel Cine and others don't even know pricing or part numbers just yet.
 
MB20 Blues

MB20 Blues

I have a MB20 for my 15mm Red setup and can not get it to align right with any of my lenses Ultra Primes Zeiss standards or my 25-250. It has up down adjustment but no side to side. Anyone else have any issues?
 
Can you post a photo?

The 15mm mount for the MB20 is set for standard Arri spacing, so it should line up with no adjustment. Are you using the RED/Element Technica bridge plate?
 
Yes I am using the red element plate. I will post pics when I get back in town.
Thanks
 
Mitch Gross said:
Abel has special reduser bundles on the ARRI MB20-II and Vocas MB-450. You can see them in our website RED Store.

http://www.abelcine.com/store/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=63&catid=285
Click to expand...

As a regretful owner of the Vocas MB-450 I would advise against a Vocas.

I have run in to nothing but trouble trying to get a repair to happen - like being told I will need to pay in excess of $500 in shipping, plus labour and I'll have to do without my mattebox for six weeks -absolutley ridiculous. This was after paying $700 for a replacement part.

Go with the ARRI.

Regretfully...
 
You will not go wrong with an Arri product.
Cinema camera accessories are a category where that old saw "you get what you pay for" rings true like no other place.
Cheap follow focus devices, tripods, and matteboxes will all conspire to brand you a second-stringer. When DPs ask for an MB-14 they expect to see an MB-14, not the "closest thing". When your 18-month old off-brand follow focus falls apart, you will regret buying it. When you bobble a once-in-a-lifetime shot because your B&H Special tripod for $1,500 has lousy action you will be sorry.
Stick with pro gear. You are a pro. Aren't you?
Cheers,
Harry
 
harryclark said:
You will not go wrong with an Arri product.
Cinema camera accessories are a category where that old saw "you get what you pay for" rings true like no other place.
Cheap follow focus devices, tripods, and matteboxes will all conspire to brand you a second-stringer. When DPs ask for an MB-14 they expect to see an MB-14, not the "closest thing". When your 18-month old off-brand follow focus falls apart, you will regret buying it. When you bobble a once-in-a-lifetime shot because your B&H Special tripod for $1,500 has lousy action you will be sorry.
Stick with pro gear. You are a pro. Aren't you?
Cheers,
Harry
Click to expand...

I hear ya. That is what suprised me about Vocas...it was about the same price as an ARRI.

It is the service availability (or lack thereof) that is a problem. Seems the Netherlands is the only place that will service it.

Beware!
 
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