DSLR RIG REVIEW

by Sebastian WöberJanuary 23^rd, 2010

The matte box is also of great build quality. It will perfectly cancel out incoming light, there are many different adaptors to fit your lenses, and the filter trays are perfect, rugged and solid.

The first thing we noticed and it kept being a concern, is that we thought the matte box was way too big, thick and heavy for a DSLR. It weighs far more than a Canon 7D body and it’s twice as big as most of the other matte boxes we tested. It just makes no sense to put a huge matte box around a small lens. Still photo lenses are usually much smaller than movie lenses and if you can afford big movie lenses, it’s very probable you won’t shoot on a DSLR.

What we didn’t like about this matte box, was how the French Flag (top flap) is adjusted. When attached, it’s hard to reach and twist the screw for adjustment with your fingers. We felt Chrosziel’s solution was much easier to use there, and also more solid.

There are two filter stages for 4×5.65 filters. Most DSLR shooters will probably use 4×4 filters, so adapter trays will be necessary. The filter stages sit in there like a tank and the whole thing is really rugged, they’re not accessible, and as fast as the Chrosziel stages.

What we did like, was how easy it was to attach and remove the matte box. When the one screw that holds it to the rails is open, you gently pull and it comes off easily, unlike the matte boxes by some other brands.