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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

MB-16 vs. RedRock MB

paul engstrom said:
Hi Larry,

Are you able to mount the bellows directly to the mattebox or do you need adapters to attach it?

thanks,
p
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I have an early version of the MB, so I had to remove a bit of material from the opening to make it fit. I believe RR redesigned the piece to 142.5mm, so the Chrosziel rubber bellows mates perfectly now.
 
thanks
 
Yousuf Abbasi said:
Seems like MB19 isn't a bad choice. I'll mainly be using Zeiss speeds so I need to figure out best MB option that won't kill my wallet. I'd like to go Arri or Vocas... MB19 is 4x5.65 2-stage with 138mm rear, swingaway style - correct? can other filter sizes aside from 4x5.65 be used?
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The swingaway is still solidly working. The MB19 I have has a 4 x 5.6 filtertray at the front and a 4x4 behind that. There is another turnable 4x4 module that I also own but very rarely use.

Yousuf Abbasi said:
You're right FF4 is cheaper, but why is it more versatile than FF5HD?
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There are several lenses with which the FF5HD doesn't work properly because they are too fat in diameter. The FF5HD is primarily made for 2/3" lenses whereas the FF4 is meant for 35mm.

Hans
 
Yousuf Abbasi said:
Seems like MB19 isn't a bad choice. I'll mainly be using Zeiss speeds so I need to figure out best MB option that won't kill my wallet. I'd like to go Arri or Vocas... MB19 is 4x5.65 2-stage with 138mm rear, swingaway style - correct? can other filter sizes aside from 4x5.65 be used?

You're right FF4 is cheaper, but why is it more versatile than FF5HD?
Click to expand...

As ever, it depends on your budget. I have two Redrocks, two (very) old Arris and two Chrosziels. If you use mainly Zeiss speeds (80mm front diameter) and you don´t rent out often, I may suggest a small Chrosziel with the 138mm rear holder and 2 4x4/4x5.65 stages, and the appropriate bracket. If you get one with 15mm LW support, Chrosziel sells a very good 19mm Studio quick adapter. Light, durable, cheaper than Arri...
Guido
 
Yep, my other MB is a Chrosziel 4x4 that is at least 15 years old. I still take it out on shoots and it still works as well as the day I bought it. That means it has cost me less than $200/year to own it. Pretty good ROI.
 
I have the RR and have never owned or used an Arri. That said, when I opened the RR box and pulled it out I definitely knew this wouldn't take much abuse. But I'm an owner/operator and knew no one else would be using it and beating it up. It's also about $900 compared to $5,000+ for an Arri. I just couldn't justify the price at this time for the Arri, even though I'm sure it's worth every penny. The donut is a hassle, and Larry's solution is very interesting. I'll have to look into that. The side wings will pop out if you don't crank them down really good. But other than that, I've been really satisfied... AND IT'S $900 FREAKIN' DOLLARS! So I guess my advice comes down to the same as everyone else. Use the RR for a few years until you can afford an Arri. But be gentle with it.

Oh, yeah. I had a filter nearly drop out of the bottom of it on me today.
 
I use a Petroff MB. A little more expensive than the RR. It's pretty modular and has rotating stages (though a little jerky). It fits the RPPs snuggly as a clip on. Very light weight.

My first MB as an owner. I have no complaints...
 
Milan Spasic said:
I've been in this business for almost 20 years and I'm used to the price of gear but I still don't get it:
$400 for rubber bellows???
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I thought the same, but apparently they are actually quite expensive to manufacture.
 
I found out a little more information about the new matte box.

It's a swing away design. It doesn't clip on like an MB20 can as many people felt that this was a compromise making it too heavy. It will be about 2/3 the weight of an MB20. A clip-on will follow at a later date.

It has stackable rotating 4x5.65 / 4x4 filter trays. It can also take 6x6 trays and will even fit on an Angenieux zoom.

It has a standard type doughnut.

Construction will be MB16 in terms of quality. It's been thoughtfully designed so the filter trays don't fall through and the locking nut won't stick out below the camera base etc.

Will be shipping in December.
 
Yes, a retaining ring on the PV size stage will hold a 138mm round filter, on the 6.6" stage a 6" round filter.
 
I'll get prices and renders over the weekend.
 
paul engstrom said:
re: donuts--

for those that don't know it, don't waste your time fitting them into the mattebox, simply jam them up against the mattebox. Ends up being quite quick and keeps the light out.

that said, looking forward to your better mattebox Irri.

p
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Funny, I ended up doing the same thing :)
 
I bought a used Chrosziel 450-01 for 700.00 in great condition. Excellent box for superspeeds. Has rubber flexible step down ring so it's light tight and slick. My AC's love the fact it's compact and very well built. It's too small for RPP's or Cookes. I mainly use it with speeds. For bigger lenses I usually rent some flavor of Arri Clip On. Huge fan of clips ons. They're simple and don't leak light. I had a RR for a day. Didn't like the way the leafs attached - the top gets easily knocked out of place and the sides require brute strength to secure. They never improved upon it so I sold it. Also had a Petroff. Too rickety and the stages leak light between them. You'll notice it when using filters and the sun hits you from the side. Real pain.

Get a used arri or chrosziel or vocas and use the savings for an FF4.
 
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