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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 :)

Real world experience with the Red Pro Matte Box?

Scott Miller

Scott Miller

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So, thinking about selling my RedRock and will still need a Matte Box for the R1-MX and Epic-X.

So, I know it is missing a rotating stage, that is pretty important. I LOVE my graduated NDs, and they never live @ level horizontal/vertical.

But weight is good, I can design and machine a 19MM or 15MM rod mount of some sort I am sure. So other than some design time and wasted aluminum stock, rail mount doesn't look like a problem or major issue.

I read the thread in comparing the O'Connor to the Red, and the O'Box does have the rotating stage and 15MM mounts, the small screws holding the trays seems to be a repeated complaint.

So, what are your opinions? Keep the Red Rock and wait?
 
The RED PRO Matte box is a great little matte box with some notable limitations, the first being no rotating stage. I'm pretty sure RED is working on one, but I don't know that I'd look for it any time soon.

I love the idea of changing rings to fit the box to lenses of different barrel sizes and their system mostly works with the exception of the ring they've provided for the 18-85 zoom. I seriously want to punch babies every time I try to use that piece of kit. You've got access to machining equipment though so you may be able to work something out - literally 1mm thinner on that ring would be perfect I just haven't gotten around to finding a way to shave that amount off my ring.

Some have complained about the french flag system and I kind of agree - the flags on the matte box are hard to manipulate and tighten especially for those with bigger fingers.

Finally the carbon fiber hood itself can be very fragile to certain kinds of impacts - mainly drops. With the full cage around it, this might not be a huge problem as your hood will be protected but without it drops can really screw up the corners. Doesn't really affect the operation of the matte box but I like my kit looking nice and clean (it's a pricey repair).

This is all stuff that can be fixed if you have access to machining equipment though. And I wouldn't hold out based on not having a rod mounting system as a prototype can be seen in the quick release system videos on RED's main site so I'm sure that release is nearing.

It sounds like I'm bashing but I'm not. There is nothing wrong with the RED matte box that can't be fixed with added modular pieces, it's just that those pieces aren't available now which is kind of a problem.
 
I would like to be in the Arri budget, but the price of even used is not practical.

This is more a matter of selling my RR and adding a little to step up to a more "Pro" piece of gear. To be clear, I have no serious complaints about the RR, for its price. I adjust/tighten it up between shoots, but it is not a rental level piece of gear.

Thank you for the insight :)
 
Uh ... I noticed the complaints about the screws in the O'Con thread ... and I wondered why not just replace the screws after market?

Anyway ... I happen to think that for the money the Red Rock is the cat's meow until you spend a lot more.

I'd rather spend a little dosh modifying the Red Rock a bit.

What I don't like about the Red and O'Con is that neither accept additional stages at this time, and the Red has no rotating stages. Boo.

Both are of course built more ruggedly than the Red Rock. Also, I find the Red Rock a bit jangly if you don't take care of it. It might even make noise during a take. Not to mention its propensity to just fall apart.

Still the only real alternative today are the Arri MBs and .... well they are expensive.
 
Alexander,

True, I have become an expert at stripping and rebuilding the RR. I will not even admit in public my proprietary method for cleaning it!! But I have used it for 2 years, and I am 2nd owner. And it is now quieter than when I bought it.

The Red Pro is certainly light weight and very cool looking though!! Wish it had the rotating stage, and it would be a no brainer to but the one FS here on RU.
 
Scott Miller said:
Alexander,

True, I have become an expert at stripping and rebuilding the RR. I will not even admit in public my proprietary method for cleaning it!! But I have used it for 2 years, and I am 2nd owner. And it is now quieter than when I bought it.

The Red Pro is certainly light weight and very cool looking though!! Wish it had the rotating stage, and it would be a no brainer to but the one FS here on RU.
Click to expand...

Ha! I'm eager to hear the dirty little secret of cleaning you have there! I'd love to see your modifications over the years.

I totally love/hate the RedRock MB.
 
The RED mattebox is great for a clip-on. Nice and light with the CF flags. It's built to be modular and they will have more options for it in the future such as additional stages, ones that rotate, rod mounts, etc.. But right now it is a bit limited. I still like it for what it is.

If you want something with some more options right now, I would recommend either the O'Connor O-BOX or the ARRI LMB-5. The O-BOX is pretty rugged, but it's a nice size and versatile. The LMB-5 is compact and light. There are some aftermarket accessories for it that make it into a great option -- such as double and triple-stage bellows with the ability to rotate.

RedRock mattebox is hard to beat for the price. I love/hate it. Had to quit using them though, just not worth the hassle of continuous use. Their rotating stage design is crap, plain and simple, just pure crap. Their flags never stay attached either. OTOH, a few mods can turn it into a really versatile mattebox and it does a lot for the money.
 
Alexander Ibrahim said:
Ha! I'm eager to hear the dirty little secret of cleaning you have there! I'd love to see your modifications over the years.

I totally love/hate the RedRock MB.
Click to expand...

I'm guessing dishwasher ;-)
I might just try that!
 
If you're going clip on consider lmb 5 or lmb 15. Everything is just tight and easy to use. For rotating trays though, you'll have to get 4 x 5.65 rotating pola tray (not cheap). The OBox is built exceedingly well and if you go rods, you'll be able to get three filters if you use a 138mm round for the rear. Problem with that is your wide angle becomes a bit constricted to about 18mm. The tray knobs on the O'Box are not well thought out, and worth sourcing something long and easier to access. Otherwise, I think it's the best price to performance option out there. Also you may want to consider the Arri MMB1. Versatile, with one rotating. Lighter than O Box.
 
+1 for the O-Box. Just bought one for our (hopefully to arrive soon) Epic X, and really like it. Yes, you have to get used to the tiny thumb (more like forefinger) screws, but it's rock solid, and with the 138 filter option you have a 3-stage, 2 rotating MB (add a couple step down rings and you can use 4.5" round filters as well, making it a 4-stage, 3 rotating MB!)
 
Not to derail, but does anyone know if the O-Box would cover a 18mm super speed at 5k? Possibly with 2 stages but not the 138 plus bellows option?
 
Well, as an update... I took a risk and bid/won this:
237.jpg


I think it is Arri :)
 
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