MATTEBOX: What's your preference?

[Curt Pair]

FROM MATT HASLETT: curt@picturethisproductions.net

http://matthayslett.com/bright-tangerine-matte-boxes/

I also just ordered a Viv for those light weight run and gun situations. The Viv is BT's competitor to the O'Connor Obox.[/QUOTE]


Matt, as much as I love ya... I don't know if I'd compare the two... there are many features, respectfully, that are exclusive to each. The Obox beats VIV on price, for sure. I don't think BT is even attempting to compete with Obox... they're doing their own thing. The Obox is awesome! It has a great feature set too! I LOVE the handles on the rig! That's a very cool idea. It may be the best 2-stage mattebox out there! ESPECIALLY for the price! Can't be beat. Great quality from a great company too!

If you're looking for 3 stages, or the option to select how many stages you want to use... VIV is a great option. VIV is fantastically built! It's aluminum and carbon. It has the option to be 1-3 stages. Has side flag option. Shoots up to (with my own personal experience) a 16mm Ultra prime in Full 5K with NO VIGNETTING an THREE filter stages in 4x5.65!

I honestly feel it's kind of on an island out there... The others make fantastic products... I own many! I have Chrosziel, Arri and MovCam in my own personal lineup... They are all great for my Sony, Panasonic and Canon camcorders... but I need something that works with ALL of my cameras, including the Epic. I think I'm about to have a yard sale!

 

[Curt Pair]

I think I'm about to buy a full Strummer Kit. Looks very nice indeed.

Martin,

You won't be disappointed, I promise! Ask Ketch, Matt, and Paul... they're ALL Strummer users like me.... Some hesitant at first... to be expected, and now love them! Trevor and Clint have joined the ranks in the VIV camp... both seem VERY happy with their purchase too!


If you find something else fits your needs... hey, that's cool too! It's all about what each of us like to do our own personal best when we're out there capturing our vision!

 

[Curt Pair]

Haha, naw, I haven't gotten any special treatment or early gear. I feel that I've made good buying decisions based on research, reputation of the manufacturers and my own personal preferences. I've posted my rig a few times, it's nothing super special, but here ya go

If you have any questions feel free to let me know man!

That's purdy! I like it... I bought the darned Clutch and can NEVER use it! My clients like my Wevi, and it's too "long" to use with the Clutch... it hits the shoulder pad! Man, that's disappointing! But you do have a sexy setup!

 

[Curt Pair]

I think I figured it out. I've been using the bellows on the O-Box and it puts me back quite a bit from the 4x5.65 filter trays.

In the video Matt linked, Curt goes over this same issue with the BT VIV at 24mm.

So do I really need to use a bellows to keep light out? How do I get closer to the filters without letting light in the back end, or with filters in, prevent light from penetrating into the back end, bouncing off the filter, then into the lens, killing my shot?

Will,

$10 dollars and a FilmTools visit should fix you right up! http://www.filmtools.com/donuts.html No more light leaks! works great!

 

[Curt Pair]

Curt,

I'm a fan of your style, direct, to the point and exciting. I'm in. When are the other videos coming? BTW, check your e mail.

Will,

Seriously, thanks! This whole "review" thing started as a way of saying thanks to the likes of Ketch and Tonaci for helping me make some good purchasing decisions. It's now taken on a life of it's own. I'm getting requests from people to test and review gear... companies are even contacting me to do reviews... I will say this... I will only review gear I've personally tested and like... I'm getting flack for "always saying positive things about the gear and not trashing stuff..." Look... there are ENOUGH guys out there doing that. Do you want to waste your time listening to someone tell you how bad something is? I don't. Therefore, if I don't like it... I'm not wasting my time on creating a review; they take a bit to do, you know! Of all the things I've reviewed... I am just a "customer" like all of you... The BT stuff evolved out of that... I'm a DP... never planned on anything else... but stuff happens!

I've honestly got many reviews in the can... Blacklight, Misfit, Dracast LEDs, Westcott TD6 Spiderlight, Sekonic Color meter, CineTape, Fuji Cabrio, Sound Devices 664 and believe it or not a few others... Unfortunately, "real work..." must come first... I need to lock myself in my edit bay some weekend (when I'm not shooting) and finish these suckers! They're kind of tough... I set everything up, light it, shoot it (nope, no teleprompter... just off the top of my head), review it, create the graphics and then edit them. Ever try to focus ON YOURSELF in front of the camera? Not easy!

Got your email.... I was just up and out by 5:30... I hope Jen responded to you in my absence .. she's AWESOME like that. If you email me and DON'T hear from us in 24-48 hours max? We didn't get it.. we usually respond within hours! Jen, my office manager will respond if I'm out in the field.

 

[Curt Pair]

Why would you ever use a rubber bellows?

Is there a 138mm Polarizer option with BT or you use one of three filter trays?

Ketch is one that tells me he ALWAYS shoots with a Polarizer and prefers the 138mm size... to each their own. I actually RARELY shoot with the bellows... Strummer or VIV. I'm a "5KFF" shooter. I just like being able to go WIDE! I personally have that FilmTools neoprene donut... HOWEVER... I've talked BT into making some rings, similar to VIV for Strummer, so if folks out there, want to pull it to go VERY wide, they can REMOVE the bellows and do just that... now, nice, clean rings will block any light from the back side. Hold on! They're coming! BT is making all sorts of new ring sizes too! They'll have something for every lens out there soon enough!

It's a process... they listen. They evolve. They're awesome!

 

[Matt Ryan]

Between Matt Ryan and Curt Pair I can see why this has become a wasteland....

Dude, your passive agressive posts need to stop...What are you even talking about?

I have used the Obox before and like it. Nothing negative for me to say. I bought a BT matte box and was pleased with it. Wouldn't you be happy if your customers spoke out about how great your product was (because they really liked it)? (By the way I recommend the Oconnor CFF-1 all the time! Why?! Because it is amazing and perfectly priced!) I don't understand what your deal is? It's just an opinion...Just answering questions... No one has trashed the Obox, and again I'll say it, it's a great matte box at a very good price.

 

[Trevor Meeks]

Between Matt Ryan and Curt Pair I can see why this has become a wasteland....

Wow man, seriously, what in the f*ck? What are you basing that off of, Eric? No one has said anything to bash your product, but there certainly is a lot of support for the Bright Tangerine.... what's wrong with that? I have to agree with Matt, your passive aggressiveness is really getting annoying. So... why not just say what's on your mind, man? Are you pissed that a new company is listening to their customers, making a better product and kicking your ass? What is it exactly?

 

[Trevor Meeks]

Sorry I forgot to add you too Teveor Meeks to the list...

Eric, are you always this adversarial toward people who chose other products over yours, or are you just having a bad night?

Instead of being a d*ck, perhaps you could ask questions like "what could we do to make our product better?" or you could thank people for their feedback and put that feedback to good use.

You are an absolutely terrible representative of Oconnor. I'm shocked.

I love my OConnor FF, but I chose a different path when looking into matteboxes. That apparently landed me on your shit list, along with Matt, and Curt, who sells BT products. You're going to make potential customers' choices even easier now when they look to this thread for advice on which mattebox to get. Great job with that, Eric.

 

[Curt Pair]

I'll be honest... before this morning... I didn't even know this thread existed... I got a few emails asking me about things...

I've said it time and again to folks who ask... The O'connor Obox is a SUPERIOR product for the money. It can't be touched in it's price range. I'd even say it's reining king!

If the O'box has the features one wants? That's terrific. I have a Chrosziel. I love it. I have an Arri. I love it. I have a MovCam. I love it. They all work and work well for many applications with many cameras. I just hate having to lug around several different matteboxes simultaneously all the time. I wanted a one "fix" solution. For me... that solution is indeed Bright Tangerine.

Let's be honest... many think it's too expensive. I hear that a lot. Therefore I tell folks, if you have something that is solving your needs and like it, no matter WHAT it is... batteries, tripods, CAMERAS, matteboxes, what ever.... hey that's great! Stick with it ! You'll continue to make great images with it... if you're out there looking for something different... well... I'm creating reviews on new gear that's crossed my path. If you think the information I share is valuable, great. If you disagree with me... that's fine too. Take my efforts for what they are... an attempt to be helpful.

I fell backwards into repping a product... Folks were contacting me for answers they couldn't find anywhere else... I spent a considerable amount of my week answering emails and returning phone calls about a product I BOUGHT! When I was offered the opportunity to receive compensation for something I was already doing for free... it was a no brainer.

Now... if I could only get Red to compensate me... (I wonder if they have ANY idea how much I pimp the Epic... yup, I do it for free!)

 

[Trevor Meeks]

That's purdy! I like it... I bought the darned Clutch and can NEVER use it! My clients like my Wevi, and it's too "long" to use with the Clutch... it hits the shoulder pad! Man, that's disappointing! But you do have a sexy setup!

Thanks Curt! And thank you for actually being positive here on RU... I'm amazed at the attitude here sometimes...

You know, I used the Switronix RECON earlier this year on a shoot and it just barely fit. The big lifesaver here is the FMJ bottom plate, which I used in order to add the 15mm rods to the front of the camera, but also to raise it up enough that my Anton Bauers didn't hit the shoulder pad.

I did a week-long shoot with the Clutch, spent literally 10 hours every day with it on my shoulder except for one, which was half handheld and half sticks, and the thing performed great. Once you get it set up and remember how to adjust it after it has been folded for transport, it's a really nice rig. Expensive, but I'm happy with my investment.

 

[Curt Pair]

Thanks Curt! And thank you for actually being positive here on RU... I'm amazed at the attitude here sometimes...

You know, I used the Switronix RECON earlier this year on a shoot and it just barely fit. The big lifesaver here is the FMJ bottom plate, which I used in order to add the 15mm rods to the front of the camera, but also to raise it up enough that my Anton Bauers didn't hit the shoulder pad.

I did a week-long shoot with the Clutch, spent literally 10 hours every day except for one of them, and the thing performed great. Once you get it set up and remember how to adjust it after it has been folded for transport, it's a really nice rig. Expensive, but I'm happy with my investment.

HA! I hear ya! The Clutch is SO ADJUSTABLE... it can be daunting at times, right? I had to take a "paint pen" and make marks along the rosettes... if the dots line up... that's how I use it!

I have the VF FMJ too! Our set ups are SCARY similar! I still can't get the Wevi in there... I'm like 3/8" off! Damn! My clients love that wireless video! The bottom of the Wevi hits the shoulder pad... in fact... I MODIFIED my VF plate to have a "wireless receiver bracket." If you've ever seen an AB set up on an ENG/EFP camera... I wanted that for Opus, my Epic. So... I pulled the bracket off a 12 year old Betacam, got some longer screws and VIOLA! I now have that bracket (great for a wireless mic receiver, wireless hop to audio mixer, Denecke Tri-level sync, NanoFlash, etc) on my Epic, and I'm ready to go... if you look... you'll see it in my videos... I get tons of emails asking about it... I had to mod it myself... Do it! You'll love it!


PLEASE RED just release the wireless video module! I can then sell the Wevi... Let's not forget... IDX makes a KILLER wireless... and I may regret selling it, as the Red module probably won't work on my other cameras... But my 3-ton truck is running out of room in a hurry... I have to thin the herd!

 

[Trevor Meeks]

Oh dude, I forgot... I made a little adjustment to my CLUTCH. Instead of the shoulder pad being bolted to the quick release base, I bolted another 19mm rod bracket to the front of the shoulder pad.... that bumped the shoulder pad back just enough that the batteries or TX don't run into it at the highest point. This would solve your problem, but it costs another $100 or whatever the part is.

It also lets me do this...

 

[Curt Pair]

Oh dude, I forgot... I made a little adjustment to my CLUTCH. Instead of the shoulder pad being bolted to the quick release base, I bolted another 19mm rod bracket to the front of the shoulder pad.... that bumped the shoulder pad back just enough that the batteries or TX don't run into it at the highest point. This would solve your problem, but it costs another $100 or whatever the part is.

It also lets me do this...

AH ha! I may have to try that... I have two extras layin around, believe it or not... Oh, I'm all over that tomorrow!

 

[Matt Ryan]

My apologies... Hard time getting through this storm.

Sorry Eric, wishing you and everyone on the east coast a quick recovery. Thoughts and prayers to everyone!

This thread wasn't meant to be one sided. I'm a fan of your products and use the CFF-1 all the time and love it, not to mention the 2065 and 2575. I'm planning on purchasing a CFF-1 soon. Like I said I like the Obox, and for the price you can't beat it (nothing compares or competes for it's price, honestly). The BT Viv is much more expensive. If you are looking for the best matte box at the best price, Obox wins hands down. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one if it's in your budget and I guarantee you will be happy with it for a long time. Likely the BT Viv is out of most peoples price range. Just wanted to clear that up. Apologies and best of luck.

 

[Phil Holland]

My apologies... Hard time getting through this storm.

I got family and friends back east. Best wishes man. I hear it's real bad.

And I'm a glowing supporter and still extremely happy with my OConnor O-Box WM. Mostly because I haven't been able to break it yet. I abuse it and it still treats me well.

 

[Jim Elias]

Curt, you seem like a stand-up guy and I wanted to say for the record that Andy Sub and I have no bad blood between us -- quite the opposite, in fact. We may have turned out competitors in some markets but if there's going to be two studs on the block (and there always has to be at least two), we're stoked that it's turned out to be we two, especially in these times.

That said, stuff like in this post below about our sister brand doesn't go down well; it's given some of us the impression that you have an axe to grind with us in general, which has led to some adversarial feelings in general:

Terry,

That's EXACTLY what happened here... which is why Sachtler is now made in Costa Rica. The salesmen for this company told me in a visit that "they shut down the Sachtler factory at 5pm and open the Secced factory at 6... they don't change anything... they are the same product!"

WOW! But if you're manufacturing in China... you have to know what might happen... I know the same thing happens with "Coach" purses too! Crazy world...

I'll avoid getting long-winded here but the implications here are unpleasant and undeserved. Let's all stay with the facts in everything we post. Treat with respect and you'll be treated with respect.



What I post is my own opinion and not anyone else's. I've always stayed objective and don't plan to stop anytime soon.

 

[Trevor Meeks]

it's given some of us the impression that you have an axe to grind with us in general, which has led to some adversarial feelings in general:

With all due respect, Jim, that stuff is between you and Curt then, and you need to email him directly if you have a problem with what he says. Furthermore, maybe rein in Eric a bit before he makes you all look like dicks.

 

[Curt Pair]

Curt, you seem like a stand-up guy and I wanted to say for the record that Andy Sub and I have no bad blood between us -- quite the opposite, in fact. We may have turned out competitors in some markets but if there's going to be two studs on the block (and there always has to be at least two), we're stoked that it's turned out to be we two, especially in these times.

That said, stuff like in this post below about our sister brand doesn't go down well; it's given some of us the impression that you have an axe to grind with us in general, which has led to some adversarial feelings in general:



I'll avoid getting long-winded here but the implications here are unpleasant and undeserved. Let's all stay with the facts in everything we post. Treat with respect and you'll be treated with respect.

Jim,

The Secceed Sales person came around to all the production houses and rental houses here in Phoenix. He is the one who told me that the tripods were the same exact model, made in the same shop. I didn't want to believe that. Therefore I spoke to reps for Sachtler at NAB, they told me this was the case but there weren't the same QC controls in place on the other tripod company. The also informed me that they were no longer being made there and have moved manufacturing elsewhere... I actually OWN two Sachtler tripods that get used daily, an 18 and a 20... I also have a couple of Cartoni heads with SACHTLER legs, because I like them so much! If I was provided inaccurate information, I apologize. I know that can happen... I've worked for many companies on the NAB floor... sometimes folks don't know all the facts when dealing with customers. Perhaps that's what happened here, I don't know. This actually angered me, that someone could purchase a tripod that was exactly like mine for a considerable amount less money. I was reassured that my units were better constructed and manufactured with the highest of standards.

I don't have an axe to grind at all! Sachtler has been VERY good to me, and they make SUPERIOR products. In fact I feel that the Artemis image stabilizer is the BEST ever made! I was just saying that any company that moves manufacturing to China is in danger of these companies stealing their products, the lack of quality control, etc. I know my buddies at View Factor say that they have never recovered from their attempt to have their wireless follow focus manufactured in China. No, the idea wasn't stolen, but it never worked right from an operational standpoint. I don't know how Chinese companies can get away with stealing patented ideas from others around the world. It's not right. I know it's NOT exclusive to the production business...

I never said I agreed with it. I understand that in a global economic downturn companies have to get creative in how to provide goods and services for their clients while still being able to stay in business... I think Sachtler was boned. It's obvious their design and hard work were lifted in more ways than one. I for one will not support those kind of actions, so I stick with the three big companies in the world of tripods (O'Connor, Sachtler and Cartoni), and two of them are owned by the same company. In this business, I believe you get what you pay for. If you want quality and craftsmanship, you must pay for it. You'll actually save money in the long run. These iconic brands have survived generations for a reason... they are the best at what they do!

 

[Antoine Baumann]

So Curt, who should I contact for a BT Viv mattebox. I'm in Switzerland. Should i contact Gecko-Cam GmbH? Or do you have other contact?

As of now, I don't want the rubber bellow but the rings, I would like to be able to use it as a clamp on and with 19mm bar. And I need rings for Zeiss mk2 t2.1 80mm and RedProPrime 110mm. Is that possible?
And is this future swing away option for the Viv confirmed?
Thanks a lot for your help, very much appreciated.