View Full Version : How big is the Century DV Matte box (dimensions)?


Blip Pio
July 12th, 2003, 12:16 PM
Anyone who owns the Century DV matte box, could you tell me the dimensions of the hood (width x height)?

I am trying to see how big it will be on a PDX10....

thanks!

David Ziegelheim
July 12th, 2003, 01:30 PM
Big. I plan to use the Century .65 wide angle which users a 62mm thread and screw on filters with the stock wide angle hood.


Century Matte Box Manual: http://www.centuryoptics.com/pdf/dvmb%20manual%20122.pdf

Bryan Beasleigh
July 13th, 2003, 05:31 PM
It's approx 5 1/2 x 7" and weighs 1 lb 9 oz. If you want a nice small rig that'll work well with a .65 WA tehn try the cavision 3" matte box. With a plastic back mount it's $200 and $250 with an aluminum back mount . for $100 you can buy the carbon fiber mini rod support system. The hood is soft rubber and only 4 3/4 x 5 1/2.

I spent about 4 hours trying out all of their products at their warehouse. They have the 3x3 down pat. They have a new type of tray that identical to the Chrosziel.

I use the lens shade which is the hood part of the 3" matte box and it's great. I also have their bellows 4x4 with the 15mm carbon rod support. that would be way too big.


http://www.cavision.com/Mattbox/MiniRods.htm

http://www.cavision.com/Mattbox/3X3Rectanglar.htm

Blip Pio
July 13th, 2003, 06:23 PM
Thanks Bryan. The 3x3 Cavision looks like a good fit for the PDX10. My only hesitation is that the 3x3 filters seem harder to get than the 4x4s. Is this correct? I guess they would be a bit cheaper than the 4s, which is good, though.

Do you know how much the mini-rod system is?

Bryan Beasleigh
July 13th, 2003, 10:48 PM
It's only $100. it's 8mm carbon fiber with a black anodized base plate. The 3x3 mattebox with filter trays with an aluminum back mount is $250. So for $350 you get the Matte Box and Rods assembly. The unit will clamp on, but for the TRV950/PDX10 I'd go with the rods. You may require an adapter ring but they're cheap.

Catherine, the office manager, tells me that it will take P size resin without the filter frame. 3x3 filters are not always stocked, but they are available and considerably cheaper.
Here is a source
http://www.2filter.com/prices/products/format33.html
Where are you located?

Blip Pio
July 15th, 2003, 02:43 PM
Bryan-

Thanks for your input on the Cavision. I actually went ahead and got the mini rods and the 3x3 like you suggested. I can't believe the Century box is that big! The Cavision seems better suited to the PDX10...

I went ahead and got some Formatt filters, too. I looked into the Tiffen 4x4s (you can actually have Tiffen cut them to 3x3, but it takes a while and the price is the same as the 4x4s--ouch)

I'm in Chicago, btw...

Bryan Beasleigh
July 16th, 2003, 10:40 AM
Formatt filters are all made from Schott glass while tiffens are mostly green glass. Tel catherine who sent you. I get a kick out of seeing people suceed. Catherine and her husband work very hard at designing a good product. I've seen the system you bought and compared to the competition it's a steal.

Boyd Ostroff
July 16th, 2003, 01:33 PM
Bryan, this sounds like a nice solution for the PDX-10. Blip: if you get a chance, would love to see a photo of your fully assembled rig!

Blip Pio
July 26th, 2003, 10:17 AM
So I got the Cavision in the mail the other day; very happy with it.

Boyd, I'll make a more detailed post on my impressions of this matte box. I have posted some photos of it. The size seems a very nice fit for the PDX10. (Looks pretty cool, too!)

http://www.blippio.com


Nice set design, btw. I worked as a scenic carpenter at a theatre for a few years and did some small set designsmyself...I can appreciate your work!