Budget Matte box recommendation

[jemjemjem]

Hi guys,

Am looking around for budget mattebox. Along the line of Konova or Redstar..etc. Something along the Pro line which allows for filters.

Wondering do you guys have any recommendations of any matte box, based on your experience.

Thanks

[ronjbase]

How about this;
http://dfocussystem.com/dmatte

[dreams2movies]

Hey, I was just about to tell him about DFocus systems.. They'll the cheapest but they products looking good. I'm going to go with them For my Matte Box and rig.

[xenogears]

I think this can serve you very well, and is much cheaper than the DFocus.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/370632242569?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

[marcuswolschon]

Filmcity/DFocus has issues with the screws loosening and it's huuugely oversized for a GH1/GH2.
More something for a full frame body with battery grip.

The Queenox/Koolertrom/... from china has hexagonal instead of round shafts and is much smaller.
http://www.amazon.de/Quenox-Sonnenblende-Kompendium-Systeme-Schulterstativ/dp/B005TQ1J9G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1344408317&sr=8-1
It isn't as fancy but works and is lightweight and small.
No filter holder. You have to cut some foam rubber for the back side yourself.

[jemjemjem]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the recommendations so far.

The film city matte box looks pretty good and about my budget, Will find more reviews about it

[jeffdeponte]

OMG... NOT Film City!

Take it from me: I love a deal, and I have bought their stuff in the past. But, do yourself a favor, and only buy QUALITY gear. Their stuff is awful. I took a couple their castings to my local machine shop, and my buddy there almost threw up. The worst thing that happened to me: the first follow focus I ever purchased was from them. The gearbox broke, on its own, while in transit in a Pelican case. What a waste of money.

[QuickHitRecord]

Anyone had any experience with this?

http://www.thecinecity.com/eshop/PROAIM-95mm-Wide-angle-Matte-box-MB-95-French-flag-for-all-DV-HDV-DSLR-Cams-Free-Adapter-ring.html

[dreams2movies]

[quote name='marcuswolschon' timestamp='1344408467' post='15112']
Filmcity/DFocus has issues with the screws loosening and it's huuugely oversized for a GH1/GH2.
More something for a full frame body with battery grip.

The Queenox/Koolertrom/... from china has hexagonal instead of round shafts and is much smaller.
[url="http://www.amazon.de/Quenox-Sonnenblende-Kompendium-Systeme-Schulterstativ/dp/B005TQ1J9G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1344408317&sr=8-1"]http://www.amazon.de...44408317&sr=8-1[/url]
It isn't as fancy but works and is lightweight and small.
No filter holder. You have to cut some foam rubber for the back side yourself.
[/quote]


Hey your link wouldn't load////

[dreams2movies]

[quote name='jeffdeponte' timestamp='1344482475' post='15167']
OMG... NOT Film City!

Take it from me: I love a deal, and I have bought their stuff in the past. But, do yourself a favor, and only buy QUALITY gear. Their stuff is awful. I took a couple their castings to my local machine shop, and my buddy there almost threw up. The worst thing that happened to me: the first follow focus I ever purchased was from them. The gearbox broke, on its own, while in transit in a Pelican case. What a waste of money.
[/quote]


OH MAN,,.. why you say " Not Filmcity!" lol... I just watch their video of their Mattebox, it had me sold!! until I read your comment..

Fine, say I don't get their Follow focus.. I'll probably get D/Focus, but what about their Mattebox, it looks solid... even though it looks exactly like D/Focus Matte box set.. What do you think...

If not, I will go with D/Focus Matte Box.. quality looks good, and they have a name I heard before.

[marcuswolschon]

[quote name='dreams2movies' timestamp='1344502750' post='15182']
Hey your link wouldn't load////
[/quote]

Loads fine here. Click on it instead of copy&pasting the shortened text the forum software generated.

[xenogears]

There's another matte box on Ebay, made of high-grade ABS and aluminum, is cheap and doesn't look so bad, here's the search result on ebay:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l2736&_nkw=Compact+Pro+Matte+Box

[QuickHitRecord]

[quote name='xenogears' timestamp='1344858106' post='15495']
There's another matte box on Ebay, made of high-grade ABS and aluminum, is cheap and doesn't look so bad, here's the search result on ebay:
[url="http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l2736&_nkw=Compact+Pro+Matte+Box"]http://www.ebay.com/...t Pro Matte Box[/url]
[/quote]

This actually looks very good. Thanks for the share.

The only thing that I am trying to figure out right now is how to attach a variable ND fader to one of these things. LightCraft Workshop makes a set of two 4x4 ND filters that work together to the same effect but they are priced at over $400! That's why I was looking at modifying this one, which seems to be able to take a screw-on 82mm filter: [url="http://www.thecinecity.com/eshop/PROAIM-95mm-Wide-angle-Matte-box-MB-95-French-flag-for-all-DV-HDV-DSLR-Cams-Free-Adapter-ring.html"]http://www.thecineci...apter-ring.html[/url]

Has anyone found a workaround?