You are shooting on ND 64, the sun has hidden a little, and you already need to use ND32, but this ND is not there. Either it's getting dark or cloudy, but ND 8 is still too little, ND 16 is just right, but there is no ND value either. At the same time, you need to keep the aperture at certain values and the shutter speed too. You can insert 4x5/65, but the whole one will be bigger, and if you shoot without a tripod, this is an important parameter. They could have done it perfectly, but they just did it better than it was before, no more.
Hey Matthew I first saw this mattebox in action on your video, ordered it and still waiting. This video just affirmed that I made the right choice. P.s. watched your video a bunch of times...
@@hoepfnerhusselmann947 Yeah! I actually had a point on my video I would take back now after using it on some other lenses. I think I struggled putting on my Lumix 24-70mm F2.8 with the 82mm thread because of that specific lens. I tried it out recently on other 82mm lenses and it was super easy in comparison
How would you compare it with the star rail small rig system? Is it the better deal for most people? Or is the star rail still better with the quick release feature
I love SmallRig but it's silly and pretty misleading they don't include CPL-3 with the "Matte Box with Adjustable Clamp and VND Kit"... It's basically essential and is an entire separate purchase.
I agree, I would happily pay a bit more for a full range VND set. Plus, they don't sell the CPL-3 individually, so you're going to be purchasing some duplicate filters.
They ship this box with their VND 1 (geared) and VND 2 filters from their 1, 2 and 3 set. What everyone wants is ideally the whole set or if not then the 1 & 3. They’ve given us the worst selection, and the only way to upgrade is to buy the entire set again it doesn’t make any sense at all.
Why is the shade only on top? I've seen this is common on others, but I'll often want to shade the lens from side light too, so I do like that feature on the older monstrosity you showed: 0:22
@@hoepfnerhusselmann947 no... I was curious if there's a reason for why it's designed this way compared to the older model. I wouldn't expect the product to be anywhere near free either way. I'd be happy to pay a few dollars extra for each additional flat piece of plastic, if there were mounted points for them. But maybe there's a better reason we're both unaware of for why some cinematographers prefer just one big top flag vs the old design.
I rarely use side shades, the top shade is the most useful to me. The matte box itself does provide some projection from side lights. I don't mind side light hitting the lens as much as I do top light like the sun or overhead lights.
That looks amazing! Thanks for the review! I see now also diffusion filters on smallrig website, do you know how it works and if I can stack one of them together with CPL & VND? Its not clear to me if you have VND functionality if you want to use diffusion...
Fantastic video! I'm curious about the adapter? or whatever you used to attach a Sigma Art lens to a Fujifilm camera? I'm building my first Fuji-based kit around the upcoming M-5 and this matte box and lens combo is really intriguing to me
Thanks! The adapter I use is the Fringer EF-FX Pro II. It does a great job and it's the most reliable one I've found, also supports autofocus. There is a version III now that I assume is even better.
Thank you for the video, just started watching… Can the VND be adjusted without moving/disturbing the camera? I’m sure the movement was because you were trying to demonstrate the Operation of the VND and didn’t have a second hand/point of contact on the camera, but I wanted to ask. TIA
Great question. Yes, the VND dial on the matte box is relatively easy to push and pull. If the camera is locked down on sticks, I'd imagine a slight adjustment wouldn't cause any jitters. Also, you can easily turn it from minimum to maximum in one movement, so you don't have to take your finger off to reset it mid-turn. Hope this helps.
I lovde the product! I got a problem with this sigma lens. It broke the autofocus, it focus and loses the focus right after and nobody here in Brazil seems to be able ton fix it. Have you ever seen anybody with the same lens and problem? Thanks
So if you want the other cpl for 6-9 stops you have to buy the kit that comes with both even though it already comes witht the 2-5 ? I cant seem to find just he cpl 3 (6-9 stops) -am i missing something?
That's right, as of right now they don't sell the CPL-3 filter individually. I'll relay the feedback to them and hopefully they listen. Or, I'd happily pay a bit more for the matte box kit if it included a full range VND kit instead of just 2-5 stops.
Shame they didnt incorporate their tray slide system into this. While i like the ease of a VND, i have those already as 82mm filters. But also have their mattebox with set ND filters with slide system. I think they should just offer the geared vnd for their 95mm matte box systems already that is 82mm threaded to 95mm mount. But its rare i use the mattebox anyway.
These are what I bought, but there's a lot to choose from on Amazon: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Y7UT6EK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Like I said in the video, you can slide in 100x100mm or 100x150mm ND’s as well, so you can decide if you want the convenience of the VND or the higher accuracy of slide-ins.
Can I also ask about the Ronin gimble model you are using and if you think an Fuji X-M5 with a cage and a matte box would work on it or would that be too heavy a combination?
No, when it’s clamped to a lens, the rectangle only covers maybe a tiny portion of the corners of the glass so it doesn’t affect bokeh or cause vignetting.
@ you can zoom on the Mirage. I do it all the time. The mirage can be attached to 15mm rods OR to 95 diameter (cine standard) lens or use one of the rings provided to screw on a 95mm screw on ring adapter.
@@puertadlm163 Yeah stepup rings, look you are clearly a Tilta fanboy, so no point in trying to impress on you the fact that Smallrig just engineered fantastic mattebox! All the best to you, enjoy the mirage.
@@hoepfnerhusselmann947 def not a Tilta Fan boy. But you seem very ready to call any one who disagrees with you a fan boy of anything. So there’s no point in trying to convince you. All I said is small rig is great but I think the options Tilta provides all be at a great price is better bang for buck. Never said Small rig was bad. But I’m sure your just gonna call anyone a fan boy so have fun with your delusion
I still think that matte boxes make no sense 99% of the time. There are a lot of ND filters you can use directly on the lens that save you the cost and weight of this.
Matte boxes is a tool like any other, for me it is dealing with different lens filter sizes and not needing step up rings, one size fits all...(like my socks). Having a french flag to keep the harsh African sunlight off my lens is a bonus! This matte box is just brilliantly designed, and you can still add a 4x5.65 filter in front of the ND, well that is just great.
This seems like a great product! Definitely very innovative for what I need!
Definitely, I've really enjoyed using it!
You are shooting on ND 64, the sun has hidden a little, and you already need to use ND32, but this ND is not there. Either it's getting dark or cloudy, but ND 8 is still too little, ND 16 is just right, but there is no ND value either. At the same time, you need to keep the aperture at certain values and the shutter speed too. You can insert 4x5/65, but the whole one will be bigger, and if you shoot without a tripod, this is an important parameter. They could have done it perfectly, but they just did it better than it was before, no more.
Great video, thanks Evan, mine is still on its way, you just confirmed that I made the right purchase.
Wow this one’s pretty innovative! I think I got the Startrail VND mattebox for just over $300, so this one is a bargain
Definitely, the value is unmatched
Love this mattebox!
Hey Matthew I first saw this mattebox in action on your video, ordered it and still waiting. This video just affirmed that I made the right choice.
P.s. watched your video a bunch of times...
@@hoepfnerhusselmann947 Yeah! I actually had a point on my video I would take back now after using it on some other lenses. I think I struggled putting on my Lumix 24-70mm F2.8 with the 82mm thread because of that specific lens. I tried it out recently on other 82mm lenses and it was super easy in comparison
Thanks for the overview - I'm going to order one.
How would you compare it with the star rail small rig system? Is it the better deal for most people? Or is the star rail still better with the quick release feature
I love SmallRig but it's silly and pretty misleading they don't include CPL-3 with the "Matte Box with Adjustable Clamp and VND Kit"... It's basically essential and is an entire separate purchase.
I agree, I would happily pay a bit more for a full range VND set. Plus, they don't sell the CPL-3 individually, so you're going to be purchasing some duplicate filters.
@ YES! Meant to mention that too. Wild to me. Talked to them about it already but sounded like it wasn’t a priority to change up.
They ship this box with their VND 1 (geared) and VND 2 filters from their 1, 2 and 3 set. What everyone wants is ideally the whole set or if not then the 1 & 3. They’ve given us the worst selection, and the only way to upgrade is to buy the entire set again it doesn’t make any sense at all.
Why is the shade only on top?
I've seen this is common on others, but I'll often want to shade the lens from side light too, so I do like that feature on the older monstrosity you showed: 0:22
Budget! Are you one of those that demand everything for free?
@@hoepfnerhusselmann947 no...
I was curious if there's a reason for why it's designed this way compared to the older model.
I wouldn't expect the product to be anywhere near free either way.
I'd be happy to pay a few dollars extra for each additional flat piece of plastic, if there were mounted points for them.
But maybe there's a better reason we're both unaware of for why some cinematographers prefer just one big top flag vs the old design.
I rarely use side shades, the top shade is the most useful to me. The matte box itself does provide some projection from side lights. I don't mind side light hitting the lens as much as I do top light like the sun or overhead lights.
Weight
@@EvanSchneider Thanks Evan,
and Jojo
That looks amazing! Thanks for the review! I see now also diffusion filters on smallrig website, do you know how it works and if I can stack one of them together with CPL & VND? Its not clear to me if you have VND functionality if you want to use diffusion...
Fantastic video! I'm curious about the adapter? or whatever you used to attach a Sigma Art lens to a Fujifilm camera? I'm building my first Fuji-based kit around the upcoming M-5 and this matte box and lens combo is really intriguing to me
Thanks! The adapter I use is the Fringer EF-FX Pro II. It does a great job and it's the most reliable one I've found, also supports autofocus. There is a version III now that I assume is even better.
Thank you for the video, just started watching… Can the VND be adjusted without moving/disturbing the camera? I’m sure the movement was because you were trying to demonstrate the Operation of the VND and didn’t have a second hand/point of contact on the camera, but I wanted to ask. TIA
Great question. Yes, the VND dial on the matte box is relatively easy to push and pull. If the camera is locked down on sticks, I'd imagine a slight adjustment wouldn't cause any jitters. Also, you can easily turn it from minimum to maximum in one movement, so you don't have to take your finger off to reset it mid-turn. Hope this helps.
I lovde the product! I got a problem with this sigma lens. It broke the autofocus, it focus and loses the focus right after and nobody here in Brazil seems to be able ton fix it. Have you ever seen anybody with the same lens and problem? Thanks
A big disadvantage of the system is that there are no round filters on ND 16 and ND32 magnets
I find the Freewell Eiger to be better because they go up to 95mm filter threads which the standard for cine glass
You’re comparing apples to oranges with that one - no VND and requires adapter rings (most sold separately)
So if you want the other cpl for 6-9 stops you have to buy the kit that comes with both even though it already comes witht the 2-5 ? I cant seem to find just he cpl 3 (6-9 stops) -am i missing something?
That's right, as of right now they don't sell the CPL-3 filter individually. I'll relay the feedback to them and hopefully they listen. Or, I'd happily pay a bit more for the matte box kit if it included a full range VND kit instead of just 2-5 stops.
Can I use other filters or am I stuck with the filters that come with this matte box?
They have to be SmallRig filters compatible with this matte box because of the magnetic attachment system.
How's the afc on Fuji with this lens bro? Is it reliable?
Shame they didnt incorporate their tray slide system into this. While i like the ease of a VND, i have those already as 82mm filters. But also have their mattebox with set ND filters with slide system. I think they should just offer the geared vnd for their 95mm matte box systems already that is 82mm threaded to 95mm mount. But its rare i use the mattebox anyway.
Yeah, this is meant to be an all-in-one system so any gear you already own is not going to be compatible unfortunately.
This is sexy can definitely put this on some of those blazar and amorphic lenses
For sure!
Exactly what I was looking for ahah !!
Does this matebox work when you record in opengate? The clamping mechanism looks like 16:9, right?
What's the rail base that you're using for your rig?
If I have a 49mm lens, is there a way to somehow adapt it so it fits ?
What is that hdmi right angle connector you’re using?
I second this! 🙏🏽
I have been looking for one
These are what I bought, but there's a lot to choose from on Amazon: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Y7UT6EK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
thats I why I use 4x5.65 NDs more accurate overall
Like I said in the video, you can slide in 100x100mm or 100x150mm ND’s as well, so you can decide if you want the convenience of the VND or the higher accuracy of slide-ins.
Can I also ask about the Ronin gimble model you are using and if you think an Fuji X-M5 with a cage and a matte box would work on it or would that be too heavy a combination?
It’s the Ronin RS4 Pro. If you’re using a long or heavy lens and a matte box, I would recommend probably the RS 3 pro or RS 4 pro
@@EvanSchneider thanks so much Evan for taking the time to respond!
I curious like why we need to remove UV filter to use this Mattebox?
You don’t, it can clamp on top of any screw-on filter directly attached to the lens
Hi brother , is this model compatible with 4x5 Filter tray stacking
Hi, no, the filers have to be 100x150mm filters
Does it cut off the bokeh since the clamp blocks a part of the outer optic?
No, when it’s clamped to a lens, the rectangle only covers maybe a tiny portion of the corners of the glass so it doesn’t affect bokeh or cause vignetting.
@@EvanSchneiderwould it block full frame open gate?
Is there any system to use the vnd outside of the matte box? like nisi true color systeM?
Yes there is. Re-watch the video...
You can’t combine a different VND system with this one unless they are 100x150mm ND slide-ins
I didnt found the 10% discount :(
It’s pretty cool but I think Tilta got a better system. How ever for a higher price.
Seriously the mirage is double the price! Oh and good luck with the expanding zoom lens...
@ you can zoom on the Mirage. I do it all the time. The mirage can be attached to 15mm rods OR to 95 diameter (cine standard) lens or use one of the rings provided to screw on a 95mm screw on ring adapter.
@@puertadlm163
Yeah stepup rings, look you are clearly a Tilta fanboy, so no point in trying to impress on you the fact that Smallrig just engineered fantastic mattebox!
All the best to you, enjoy the mirage.
@@hoepfnerhusselmann947 def not a Tilta Fan boy. But you seem very ready to call any one who disagrees with you a fan boy of anything. So there’s no point in trying to convince you. All I said is small rig is great but I think the options Tilta provides all be at a great price is better bang for buck. Never said Small rig was bad. But I’m sure your just gonna call anyone a fan boy so have fun with your delusion
I still think that matte boxes make no sense 99% of the time. There are a lot of ND filters you can use directly on the lens that save you the cost and weight of this.
Matte boxes is a tool like any other, for me it is dealing with different lens filter sizes and not needing step up rings, one size fits all...(like my socks). Having a french flag to keep the harsh African sunlight off my lens is a bonus! This matte box is just brilliantly designed, and you can still add a 4x5.65 filter in front of the ND, well that is just great.