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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 :)

RAVEN mattebox

Rick Darge

Rick Darge

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I don't know if I'm covering treaded ground, but thought I'd share..

So I've been in the market for a mattebox. I would love to buy the ARRI MB20II or even the MB-19. I checked out the LMB-5 today. All of the ARRI gear is really nice but as you all know, a tad bit expensive. My sales rep introduced me to an alternative, the RAVEN mattebox. I have never heard of them. They are built in England and have been around for 2 years. Sales rep compared them to Vocas. Very solid construction. Sturdy build. Can be setup for 15mm or 19mm standard. No side flags. No swing away. Comes with a 2-stage 4x5.65 rotating filter set. Mattebox works up to 125mm I believe. Comes with the top flag & everything you need for under $2500.

What do you guys think?

Are they worth it?

Looks solid enough for my purposes..

Here are some iphone pics I took while I was in the store..
 
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Me too, but for RIGHT NOW, under 2500 doesn't sound so bad..

I like the Vocas MB-450, however, unlike the ARRI MB20, the swing away adapter is not optional, even though they list their prices as such. I was under the impression that I could buy the Vocas box & purchase the $750+ swing away adapter at a later time, I was informed that the Vocas ships with the Swing-away regardless so you have to pay that extra cost..

Raven, although not swing away, is quite nice for the buck. A Red MB, I would imagine would cost 1500 & quite possibly have swing-away, but who knows when that will become available. It would be awesome if Red pulled an Apple-surprise & simultaneously announced & released their MB at this years NAB
 
RedRock if you want to wait. I want to see real pictures of that mattebox not just the ones on the site. But it a 4x4 and 2 filter trays so if you are using lenses over 100mm in diameter, the lens wont fit. Unless you upgrade from the 500$ model to whichever comes next. I wonder if there will be 6x6 with 4 filter trays like the MB20II.
 
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By small you mean what exactly? It's about the same size as the MB20II, a tad smaller.

That pic is of the 95mm back ring. It can be adapted up to 125mm I believe.

I'm brining the Red+zoom in on Tuesday and taking them for a spin.
 
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nathan,

What is 4x4? Redrock? The Raven is 4x5.65

I honestly can't wait any longer for the Redrock, sorry Brian. I'm sure it will be a great MB but I need something today, not next quarter.
 
we've got a 6x6 on order from cavision- I've heard good and bad things about it but it's supposed to be all metal and it's 3 grand. I'm considering it our temporary mattebox until the red mattebox comes out.
 
One thing that caught my eye was that the filter holder itself does not seem to sit even in the mattebox. Look at the picture on the right.
 
I have owned a Raven for 3 years. My only complaint is the lens shade is very fragile. Even the smallest impact seems to destroy the shade. I have gone through 3 so far. Their US customer service is awful. I tried to get parts from the LA dealer and they could have cared less. I found a UK dealer who promptly sends me replacement parts when needed.

I think for the price it's a decent product, I only wish they would go with a denser materiel for the shade or do what Arri did and place a cage around it.

Arri and Chrosziel are expensive for a reason.
 
FOUND this

FOUND this

http://www.hysonfilms.com/
3151_1203115279.jpeg
:meh:
ithink it will work for 15 and 19 and around 600 $
 
Please post your findings, Richard, after you've had a chance to test-drive. I'm also looking for a less-expensive alternative and need to have something purchased by April, and I'm betting that none of the "under development" options will be in full release by then. I'd love to be proven wrong, but having a decent back-up idea would be excellent.
 
The swing away looks a little flimsy and it looks like you have to unscrew the knob as opposed to a spring loaded pin like on the Arri box. Small points but they just caught my eye. Overall it looks quite nice.
 
Richard,

Your initial post describes the Petroff 45-2-W 4x5 wide angle Matte Box for sale at B&H for $1550. Add side wings. Add/remove stages. Add front mattes...

http://tinyurl.com/2gpeks

I can't understand why more people aren't recognizing the value of this excellent mid-range matte box.

Michael
 
Michael,

Are you using the Petroff with your Red?

Can it be setup for 19mm?

If so, have time to post a picture ? This will help me..

Was it the Cavision or the Petroff that was giving the Red problems?

& when it says 4x5, I assume that its 4x5.65 ?
 
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