Redrock mattebox and FF package - to buy or not to buy

[axel ebermann]

My side wings fall down all the time, which is awesome because usually I can blame other people for it who accidentally bumped into the camera. They always apologize and feel that they now owe me a favor

 

[Kujtim Ereqi]

Lol, I like the way you think, Alex.. :emote_whack:

 

[Jeff Kilgroe]

To echo others in here...

The Mattebox is pretty decent for the money. The flags can fall off, but are usually fine if one takes the extra few seconds to secure them properly. My big complaint over the RedRock MB is the filter stages and I'm surprised that no one else brings this up. The stage rotation just sucks. Stages often don't rotate smoothly and will sometimes even stick tight where the free stage will rotate a locked stage if you force it enough. I've had my RRMB replaced twice for this issue. My first unit (one of the first units shipped out) arrived this way. They promptly replaced it. The next one lasted about 5 to 6 uses before starting this. The new one is tight through the rotation in spots, but hasn't given me too much trouble... Then again, I've hardly used it. ...Perhaps that's why I don't have the problems with the flags.

There is also a larger than acceptable gap between filter stages, IMO, that lets in more light than it should. This is typical of the cheaper mattebox systems on the market. But is not a real issue since all matteboxes will have some degree of light leakage between filter assemblies and in certain light conditions may require some extra blackwrap or gaff tape.

I have a RRMB sitting in a nice Pelican case, doing nothing. I almost never use it. I think this one has been used all of 2 or 3 times since receiving it. I guess I'll sell it if anyone wants it. I also have a third stage, all stages with standard trays that take 4x4 and 4x5.6 filters. I also have three 5.65x5.65 filter trays too go along with it.

Sorry to hijack the thread, but it's just more equipment that sits around and I never think about it until something like this comes up.

I say pass on the RR FF. I owned one of their earlier models back with the M2 35mm adapter for my HVX200. While they have improved it since then, it's still the same basic design and about the only thing going for it is the price. You would do better with a Cinevate, Cavision, or even better with the Arri MFF-1, LFF-1 or FF-4.

 

[Alex Kornreich]

I wasn't happy at all with the RR mattebox (it has since been sold). Here were my issues:

-flags fell off constantly
-the screws that held the flags on didn't have stops, so they kept falling out
-filter stages were a pain to rotate, exactly as Jeff says
-the blue knob that tightens the mattebox to the L bracket was very ineffective at holding the mattebox on, and on some tilt downs, if not tightened a ridiculous amount, the mattebox would fall off
-filterstages fall through the bottom

I never tried the FF, but based on my experience with the mattebox...

I have since bit the bullet and bought an FF4 and MB20 from the wonderful fellows over at Abel Cinetech (I've bought almost all my support gear from them). They still haven't given me a reason not to buy from them.