Matte Box Options at DVinfo.net

Holly Miller · October 12th, 2004, 07:01 AM

What other Mattebox Options fit the 72mm XL lenses besides the 4x4 Chroziel ones?

A friend of mine saw one at the Canon/ZGC XL-2 Event in NYC. He forgot the name of it, though. It was fair in price, had flag and eyebrows in it's package. Nice size, 16:9 I believe and held 4x4 glass. Are there any other professional level mattebox systems that would work with this camera?

I'm not the most knowledgable in Cam Dept.

Robin Davies-Rollinson · October 12th, 2004, 07:58 AM

Cavision (http://www.dvshop.ca/camera/matteboxes.html)

Robin

Holly Miller · October 12th, 2004, 08:07 AM

The one we saw at the ZGC event in NYC was optional up to 4 stage I believe. I'm looking for the closest alternative to the Arri production matteboxes. I understand that where-as sometimes they may be just as effective as "more simple" box systems, we feel it a beneficial factor to present a very professional production image.

Flags, Eyebrows, Multiple Filter Stages, etc. Basically, all the little bells and whistles. We like noises.

Chris Hurd · October 12th, 2004, 08:38 AM

Holly, this is the one you're talking about:

FM-500 Matte Box, made by Formatt in the U.K., distributed by Bogen in the U.S., about $300.

Holly Miller · October 12th, 2004, 08:51 AM

Yes. Thank you Chris that is most likely the Mattebox that was at the XL2 event. The one at the event had left top and right flags, and what seemed to be a better glass slide system (Had clip fasteners similar to the Chroziel I think?). Maybe this was a new version? It may also have been a Van Diemen Mattebox?

Question though; Would it be possible to have a 80mm to 72mm adapter cone/ring.. or if there's already one made... to step down an Arri production mattebox from the 80mm to the 72mm? Do you know of any such thing?

Chris Hurd · October 12th, 2004, 09:02 AM

The reason I think that's it Holly is because Bogen has been presenting at some of those XL2 events. You might want to call ZGC at (973) 335-4460 and speak to Christine, as she will have the best grip on what was actually shown that day. I know that ZGC is a Chrosziel distributor so I'm thinking your matte box is either a Chrosziel or a Formatt.

Holly Miller · October 12th, 2004, 09:08 AM

http://www.16x9inc.com/chrosziel/6x6mattebox.shtml
An unregistered friend of mine saw the post and linked me to this. Would this be able to go down to 72mm?

I'm just product hunting for an order list of new equipment. We're gearing up for some bigger things pretty soon.. and keeping in mind our future plans of purchasing a Mini-35 and Prime lenses in the near future.. so sticking with professional tools now will allow us to just carry them over when we are using the real deal glasses.

Chris, you're a great help! Thank you.

Robin Davies-Rollinson · October 12th, 2004, 09:47 AM

Holly,
You would be better off finding a matte box system that uses rods to support the box. Thet can be quite heavy sitting on the lens.
I use an Arri matte box which is heavy and really needs the rods.
I think they're better not being attached to the lens anyway. A simple rubber do-nut will provide a light seal so there's no chance of light hitting the back of the filters.

Robin

Holly Miller · October 12th, 2004, 10:16 AM

Well, yes I think that generally goes without saying it would need to be used by rods. That is quite a nice suggestion, though. Go the cloest ring down, insert and then seal with a rubber something to block the light. Very cool. Thank you. I'll definately be passing that suggestion along.

Graham Bernard · October 12th, 2004, 02:02 PM

I spent some time at South London Filters. I tried most of the options. The Format was nice but - as Robin will ALWAYS remind me, he has the Arri - that the Formatt as others do, rely on screwing down the matte box system onto the edge of an adaptor ring. I don't like this. You twist the rotating filter holder then all this torque is transmitted to the edge of the step up ring - not good!

I too have started to come to rest on bars and either bellows or a fixed sunshade infront of the "matte" device.

. . . Robin IS gonna leave me his ARRI . . one day . . . one day . .. one day . . . . . .

Grazie

Holly Miller · October 12th, 2004, 02:18 PM

haha.

Yeah, I think the Arri boxes are the way we're going to go. Just step down and seal, and this way once we get the Primes for the Mini35 we'll already have the right gear for those as well.

Thanks for all your help you guys!

October 12th, 2004, 07:01 AM	#1
Holly Miller Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: New York, NY Posts: 56	Matte Box Options What other Mattebox Options fit the 72mm XL lenses besides the 4x4 Chroziel ones? A friend of mine saw one at the Canon/ZGC XL-2 Event in NYC. He forgot the name of it, though. It was fair in price, had flag and eyebrows in it's package. Nice size, 16:9 I believe and held 4x4 glass. Are there any other professional level mattebox systems that would work with this camera? I'm not the most knowledgable in Cam Dept.

October 12th, 2004, 08:38 AM	#4
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	Holly, this is the one you're talking about: FM-500 Matte Box, made by Formatt in the U.K., distributed by Bogen in the U.S., about $300. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

October 12th, 2004, 09:02 AM	#6
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	The reason I think that's it Holly is because Bogen has been presenting at some of those XL2 events. You might want to call ZGC at (973) 335-4460 and speak to Christine, as she will have the best grip on what was actually shown that day. I know that ZGC is a Chrosziel distributor so I'm thinking your matte box is either a Chrosziel or a Formatt. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

October 12th, 2004, 07:58 AM	#2
Robin Davies-Rollinson Trustee Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Gwaelod-y-garth, Cardiff, CYMRU/WALES Posts: 1,215	Cavision (http://www.dvshop.ca/camera/matteboxes.html) Robin

October 12th, 2004, 08:07 AM	#3
Holly Miller Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: New York, NY Posts: 56	The one we saw at the ZGC event in NYC was optional up to 4 stage I believe. I'm looking for the closest alternative to the Arri production matteboxes. I understand that where-as sometimes they may be just as effective as "more simple" box systems, we feel it a beneficial factor to present a very professional production image. Flags, Eyebrows, Multiple Filter Stages, etc. Basically, all the little bells and whistles. We like noises.

October 12th, 2004, 08:51 AM	#5
Holly Miller Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: New York, NY Posts: 56	Yes. Thank you Chris that is most likely the Mattebox that was at the XL2 event. The one at the event had left top and right flags, and what seemed to be a better glass slide system (Had clip fasteners similar to the Chroziel I think?). Maybe this was a new version? It may also have been a Van Diemen Mattebox? Question though; Would it be possible to have a 80mm to 72mm adapter cone/ring.. or if there's already one made... to step down an Arri production mattebox from the 80mm to the 72mm? Do you know of any such thing?

October 12th, 2004, 09:08 AM	#7
Holly Miller Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: New York, NY Posts: 56	http://www.16x9inc.com/chrosziel/6x6mattebox.shtml An unregistered friend of mine saw the post and linked me to this. Would this be able to go down to 72mm? I'm just product hunting for an order list of new equipment. We're gearing up for some bigger things pretty soon.. and keeping in mind our future plans of purchasing a Mini-35 and Prime lenses in the near future.. so sticking with professional tools now will allow us to just carry them over when we are using the real deal glasses. Chris, you're a great help! Thank you.

October 12th, 2004, 09:47 AM	#8
Robin Davies-Rollinson Trustee Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Gwaelod-y-garth, Cardiff, CYMRU/WALES Posts: 1,215	Holly, You would be better off finding a matte box system that uses rods to support the box. Thet can be quite heavy sitting on the lens. I use an Arri matte box which is heavy and really needs the rods. I think they're better not being attached to the lens anyway. A simple rubber do-nut will provide a light seal so there's no chance of light hitting the back of the filters. Robin

October 12th, 2004, 10:16 AM	#9
Holly Miller Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: New York, NY Posts: 56	Well, yes I think that generally goes without saying it would need to be used by rods. That is quite a nice suggestion, though. Go the cloest ring down, insert and then seal with a rubber something to block the light. Very cool. Thank you. I'll definately be passing that suggestion along.

October 12th, 2004, 02:02 PM	#10
Graham Bernard Old Boot Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London UK Posts: 3,633	I spent some time at South London Filters. I tried most of the options. The Format was nice but - as Robin will ALWAYS remind me, he has the Arri - that the Formatt as others do, rely on screwing down the matte box system onto the edge of an adaptor ring. I don't like this. You twist the rotating filter holder then all this torque is transmitted to the edge of the step up ring - not good! I too have started to come to rest on bars and either bellows or a fixed sunshade infront of the "matte" device. . . . Robin IS gonna leave me his ARRI . . one day . . . one day . .. one day . . . . . . Grazie

October 12th, 2004, 02:18 PM	#11
Holly Miller Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: New York, NY Posts: 56	haha. Yeah, I think the Arri boxes are the way we're going to go. Just step down and seal, and this way once we get the Primes for the Mini35 we'll already have the right gear for those as well. Thanks for all your help you guys!