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RED Pro Matte box vs Chrosziel Matte box 450W-R20

Asif Limbada

Asif Limbada

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They are very similar, except 450 also holds 4x4 filter trays, with 15mm rod supports. with optional USD 450 for side flags, the prices are touch USD 2000

If anyone who's used one what do you suggest to get, RED Pro Matte box or the Chrosziel 450W-R20, I am planning to use with RED Pro Prime Set 18 to 300mm and with Canon EF Lenses.
 
I have the Chrosziel and really like it. The advantages to the chrosziel is that you can mount it on rods, all trays rotate, and has more options for different size lenses. The advantage for the RED mattebox is it will be slightly cheaper.
 
I have check out Chrosziel 456-30 its completely carbon fiber with french flag comes to around USD 2400.00 with side flags for USD 2800. Its got a 130mm to 100 adapter. I liked it. Yeah it holes 4x5.6 filters. Red Pro Mattebox is a USD1000 less, I am still undeceive. Also, is it good to have filter trays for all the filters, like 3 ND filters, 1 Schneider Tru Cut, 1 Blue Grad, 1 Orange Grad, 1 ND Grad, Thats around 7 Filters. Is it advisable to get get trays for them individually? Or the just change filters on the 3 trays when required. The reason I am asking is the safety of the glass.
 
Your filter list is just the start. As you get familiar with controlling light and look optically with filters, your list of 7 filters will easily grow to 20-40. It's common practice to replace filters in trays, not to have a tray for each filter.
 
I have a 450-1 that we use for smaller more run n gun gigs. We use 4x4 on it though one tray can handle 4x5.65. Overall it's great for smaller lenses (forget about optimos). No clip on but works great with LWS as the rods don' t hit the sunshade as they do on larger Mb's. I tend to prefer rods over clip on. Keeps the impact off your lenses if anything should hit your mb. Despite owning one, I'm not a big fan of chrosziel 456. The build is not so tough , it's clip on is easily knocked off and. The light leak between stages is a bit sketchy. Would love to get a red mb next as it seems ideAlly suited for big barrel lenses. I also like the simplicity of its design. That said, if u go that route consider a rotating pola tray.
My two cents.
 
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Paul Nordin said:
Your filter list is just the start. As you get familiar with controlling light and look optically with filters, your list of 7 filters will easily grow to 20-40. It's common practice to replace filters in trays, not to have a tray for each filter.
Click to expand...

Ok then, No extra filter trays :-)
 
Ned Wilson said:
I have a 450-1 that we use for smaller more run n gun gigs. We use 4x4 on it though one tray can handle 4x5.65. Overall it's great for smaller lenses (forget about optimos). No clip on but works great with LWS as the rods don' t hit the sunshade as they do on larger Mb's. I tend to prefer rods over clip on. Keeps the impact off your lenses if anything should hit your mb. Not a big fan of chrosziel 456. The build is not so tough , it's clip on is easily knocked off and. The light leak between stages is a bit sketchy. Would love to get a red mb next as it seems ideAlly suited for big barrel lenses. I also like the simplicity of its design. That said, if u go that route consider a rotating
Click to expand...

If not 456, then which one's do you suggest would be good economically, with less light leak between stages and dia can fit the RPP. I am a noob with this, your advice would be appreciated. The problem is here in Dubai, the resellers do not stock these items (I have seen RedRockMicro's and Chrosziel, Arri reseller do not have demos). We have to either take their word (which I don't, it seems here they would sell you products just cos of higher profit margins) or Go through forum posts and reviews of products. :-(
 
Sorry to jump in, but I'm looking at matte boxes as well and have gone back and forth. I was initially going full MB20II, but now I'm wondering if that's necessary because I see so many getting matte boxes that hold just 4x4 and 4x5.65 filters. It would be very convenient to have a smaller matte box like the Red or Chroziel. With a lens like the RPP 300mm, is a 4x5.65 filter really big enough? The front diameter of that lens is 117.4mm (~4.6"), so obviously the height of those filters wouldn't cover it physically, but how about the image? And what about light leaks due to the filter not covering the whole lens? How well would those size filters work with Optimos?
 
Mike Halper said:
Sorry to jump in, but I'm looking at matte boxes as well and have gone back and forth. I was initially going full MB20II, but now I'm wondering if that's necessary because I see so many getting matte boxes that hold just 4x4 and 4x5.65 filters. It would be very convenient to have a smaller matte box like the Red or Chroziel. With a lens like the RPP 300mm, is a 4x5.65 filter really big enough? The front diameter of that lens is 117.4mm (~4.6"), so obviously the height of those filters wouldn't cover it physically, but how about the image? And what about light leaks due to the filter not covering the whole lens? How well would those size filters work with Optimos?
Click to expand...

Our MB 20 II is our go to MB. I used it on almost all of our jobs because it's quick to use, precise and adjustable in just about every way. You can also load it with 5x5's trays which will cover just about any lens. It's also expensive. Considering that, much depends on the kind of work you do and what's in your budget. The O'Box is a great deal for the price with a military spec like build. In an ideal world, I'd own several MB's. Some people like the Arri MMB 1. It's very light and well built. Also, keep in mind, front diameter doesn't alway match the actual front glass element (which is often smaller). The problem with MB's, few if any, are perfect for every gig.
 
Paul Nordin said:
Your filter list is just the start. As you get familiar with controlling light and look optically with filters, your list of 7 filters will easily grow to 20-40. It's common practice to replace filters in trays, not to have a tray for each filter.
Click to expand...

Hi Paul,

I understand, ...but do you know of a good case for trays ?

I sometimes would need to place filters in trays in advance.

I work with a small crew in less that ideal conditions sometimes so it'd help me so much :)

Antoine
 
Mike Halper said:
Could someone tell me what the likely largest front element I'd come across? I would definitely be using RPP's and Ultra Primes, and possible Optimos.
Click to expand...

4x 5.65 will cover RPP's, Ultras as well as Cookes. They'll also cover RPZ's. Not sure about Optimo. Whenever I rent an Optimo, we usually rent a separate MB for it as well.
 
Ned Wilson said:
I have a 450-1 that we use for smaller more run n gun gigs. We use 4x4 on it though one tray can handle 4x5.65. Overall it's great for smaller lenses (forget about optimos). No clip on but works great with LWS as the rods don' t hit the sunshade as they do on larger Mb's. I tend to prefer rods over clip on. Keeps the impact off your lenses if anything should hit your mb. Despite owning one, I'm not a big fan of chrosziel 456. The build is not so tough , it's clip on is easily knocked off and. The light leak between stages is a bit sketchy. Would love to get a red mb next as it seems ideAlly suited for big barrel lenses. I also like the simplicity of its design. That said, if u go that route consider a rotating pola tray.
My two cents.
Click to expand...

Ned, can you explain me light leak between stages. I am about to pull the trigger on Chrosziel 456-20, need advice.
 
Asif Limbada said:
Ned, can you explain me light leak between stages. I am about to pull the trigger on Chrosziel 456-20, need advice.
Click to expand...

The trays, at least the 4x5.65 aren't designed to go all the way down to the 4x5.65 filter. So light could get in between the filters. However, I have never had this happen as long as the back filter tray was populated first.
 
Asif Limbada said:
Ned, can you explain me light leak between stages. I am about to pull the trigger on Chrosziel 456-20, need advice.
Click to expand...

The stages module just isn't that tightly built. Flimsy is the word that comes to mind. I actually find their old 450-1 better built and not prone to leak. With the 456, I'd get leak between stages so I'd often use a piece of duvatyne across the stages. At that price...... The only reason, I ever use it is when we need a three stage MB with all stages rotating. Not often. Compare with the build of an OC or Arri and you'll know what I'm talking about.
 
Ned Wilson said:
The stages module just isn't that tightly built. Flimsy is the word that comes to mind. I actually find their old 450-1 better built and not prone to leak. With the 456, I'd get leak between stages so I'd often use a piece of duvatyne across the stages. At that price...... The only reason, I ever use it is when we need a three stage MB with all stages rotating. Not often. Compare with the build of an OC or Arri and you'll know what I'm talking about.
Click to expand...

I have a shoot on Saturday and 456-20 was in stock, jumped the gun, I right now have "cognitive dissonance" over the purchase. Just need to get the ball rolling with this months work, then I can get 3stage well built MB, hehehe
 
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