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Need new matte box, O'Connor O-Box height adjustable?

M

Mike Halper

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I want to get a new matte box for my Scarlet whenever it arrives. So far I've decided on the O'Connor O-Box WM, but see the height is not adjustable. What is the height of center of lens measurement for the Scarlet/Epic without a plate attached to the bottom of the body? I ask because I believe it will end up being too high once I mount it to my rod system for my old camera, which currently consists of a Zacuto Universal Baseplate with a Manfrotto 357 Quick Release System on top. I'd like to keep my old set up for now if possible so as to not need to spend another $1000 or more on a new quick release rod system.

Assuming I'm correct that using the same system will make it to high, is there a way to make the O'Connor O-Box height adjustable? I don't see any parts that O'Connor makes, so it would probably need to be 3rd party.

Or are there any suggestions of another similar matte box in the same price range?
 
I have one and works well with the epic. From my understanding the footprint of scarlet is the Same as epic. Hence it will work fine. Having said that if you using 19mm base plate you will need the 15mm to 19mm. This is not included in the package.
 
What rod system are you using? I have the Zacuto Universal Baseplate (which is 15mm) with the Manfrotto 357 Quick Release on top of it, which makes it a little higher. I needed to adjust the height of my current matte box to get it to work, so I'm assuming I'd need to do the same with the O-Box.

Or does anyone have a measurement for center of rods to center of matte box for the O-Box?
 
I like this mattebox. If you need to make height adjustments, it will need to be done on your baseplate or other such method. There are many solutions available for that. Here is my setup on a Red One and using still lenses.

Long valley 15mm LW adapter (connects to Red One)
O-Box
Bellows (which holds 138mm filters)
114-110 reduction ring (this works well with our Red Pro primes)
Chrosziel 50-85mm FLEXIBLE STEP DOWN RING - CHSDR5085 - This allows for some flexibility with still lenses. The material works well to grab onto your 80mm fronts and if there is some telescoping that happens during focus it moves with your lens. I only have one lens that didn't work so well with this setup, the Tokina 16-50. In order to go to a new focal length on that zoom , you'll have to adjust mattebox position on rails.
I also got the side flags which require OConnor O-BOX WM SIDE FLAG BRACKET SET - OCOBSFB
And if you want to go 19mm you will need OConnor O-BOX WM STUDIO ADAPTER - OCOBSA and O-Box WM Studio Adapter 19mm (REQ: O-Grips Bridge) C1243-1118

For those times when you'll need three stages I find using a 138mm filter with the other stages works well.

Only complaints I have so far is that the filter holder knobs are a bit small (workable for my fingers) and no swing away (but I understand why O'connor didn't do this)

Some may wonder why they went with plastic filter holders instead of metal. At first I was a bit surprised too. Then I held one and it weighs next to nothing yet seems very durable. So you save some weight and it does the job.

Before purchasing this mattebox just make sure to think about how you're going to use it and with which lenses. With my Nikons I only use this in a rails configuration.
 
Mike, I believe the height adjustment on your baseplate should get you there. It's also got side to side adjustment too right? That should cover any minor adjustments that need to be made no?
 
I already have the baseplate as low as it will go. I'm still concerned it will be too high because of the Manfrotto quick release system I have mounted on the Zacuto baseplate. If I knew the measurements of the Epic from bottom to center of lens and the O-Box from center of 15mm rod to center of matte box I could know for sure.
 
Obox is about 3.5" from rod to center of o-box. Not sure about the Scarlet dimensions
 
Mike Halper said:
Steve, what are the solutions you're referring to for adjusting the height of the matte box?
Click to expand...
Various baseplates that allow for vertical height adjustment. Zacuto and other 3rd parties. I just used a Zacuto kit (rented from Rule in Boston) that had a Zacuto baseplate and a quick release system. Can't remember all of the specific parts, but it worked fine with O-box.
 
Steve Sherrick said:
Obox is about 3.5" from rod to center of o-box. Not sure about the Scarlet dimensions
Click to expand...

Great. Do you happen to know the measurement from the bottom of the body to the center of lens on the Epic. With that info I could tell if I'm in the ball park. With my current camera (AF100) with the rod setup I had to set the Zacuto baseplate at minimum height and lower adjustable height of the matte box slightly to get it centered, and I can lower the matte box even more so it has me concerned.

Steve Sherrick said:
Various baseplates that allow for vertical height adjustment. Zacuto and other 3rd parties. I just used a Zacuto kit (rented from Rule in Boston) that had a Zacuto baseplate and a quick release system. Can't remember all of the specific parts, but it worked fine with O-box.
Click to expand...

Ok, that's useful info and sounds promising. I just need to be sure, and need the center of lens measurement of an Epic.

Steve Sherrick said:
also, there may be some helpful info developing in this thread.
http://www.reduser.net/forum/showth...-Zacuto-Mini-Baseplate-on-their-Epics-Scarlet
Click to expand...

Yes, I've been following that one as well. Good info there. Thanks for the help.
 
Pretty sure our O-Box is fixed in height. I know this because for some reason the back with bellows isn't lining up with the lens like it used to. It's about 1/4" low and off center. Still trying to figure it out.
 
I understand what you are asking for and with your current gear, no it won't work. But you only need to purchase a simple additional item.

The correct height for center of LW15mm rods to center of the lens mount is 85mm. The camera is too tall to use a baseplate with the rods underneath. You ned an adapter which will raise up the rods in front of the camera. Zacuto makes such an adapter, called the Z-Riser. The unit clamps to your current rods and then is adjustable in height for a second pair of rods higher up. You set these to your desired height by lining them up with the mattebox. The Z-Riser includes a pair of 4.5" 15mm rods as well. With this setup you should be easily able to align your rod height properly with the least additional investment in gear.

http://www.abelcine.com/store/Zacuto-Z-Riser-with-4.5-Female-Rod-Pair/
 
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