Bright Tangerine Misfit Kick Matte Box, Rota Pola Diopter Filter Tray and EVF Mount Prototype

by Jeff LochJune 17^th, 2020

The Bright Tangerine Misfit Kick is the brand’s latest high-end matte box with some unique features like a patented two to three-slots filter mechanism. During the cinema5D Virtual Show, we had an in-depth talk with Robert Eagle from Bright Tangerine to discuss all the exclusive possibilities of this 4 x 5.6 matte box. Also, Rob showed us two exciting new prototypes that they are working: the Rota Pola Diopter filter tray, and a new EVF Mount. Let’s take a closer look.

Image credit: Bright Tangerine

Bright Tangerine Misfit Kick Matte Box

The Bright Tangerine Misfit Kick is the brand’s latest fiber carbon matte box, with the promise of being the”next generation matte box for filmmakers.” Indeed, it is a very versatile product that you can use and configure either as a clip-on, rod mount, or swing away matte box.

To get you started in this ecosystem, you’ll need a basic set that includes the Misfit Kick core, two 4×5.65″ filter trays, and the carbon fiber top flag. Then, all you need to add is a Frame Safe clamp adapter to suit your lenses. Various Frame Safe clamp sizes are available with diameters ranging from 80mm to 143mm.

Image credit: Bright Tangerine

All the Frame Safe clamps use a new “Frame Safe design” with cutouts. This design removes any vignetting possibilities due to the Misfit Kick, even when using wide-angle lenses on large format sensors.

Image credit: Bright Tangerine

One of the cool features of the Bright Tangerine Misfit Kick is that you can convert it from a 2‐stage to a 3‐stage matte box quickly, without any tools. The patented reveal stage design allows you to disclose an extra filter tray stage by loosening two screws on the stage and pulling out the entire filter tray assembly. This is a smart design, and the filter trays are compatible with ARRI filter trays.

Image credit: Bright Tangerine

If you work in dangerous shooting conditions for your equipment (like a car rig or a jib), there is a safety loop at the bottom of the reveal stage so you can secure the Misfit Kick via a safety wire.

Image credit: Bright Tangerine

Talking about filter trays and security, the Bright Tangerine Misfit Kick uses a spring system in combination with a protruding ridge to secure the filter trays. This locking mechanism creates a positive locking position when inserting a filter tray. Also, you get real tactile feedback when loading the matte box, which is reassuring, especially when you are working with gloves.

Image credit: Bright Tangerine

Finally, you can mount the Bright Tangerine Misfit Kick to 15mm & 19mm rods via optional studio and swing-away adapters. The entire system is as versatile as it can be, and it can grow up with your needs/camera setups.

The Bright Tangerine Misfit Kick is available now. The Misfit Kick 2-stage kit retails for $1328/€955, while the 3-stage package is $1417/€1033. A plethora of different clamp-on rings, LWS adapters, and swing-away adapters are available for both 15mm and 19mm rods.

Image credit: Bright Tangerine

Bright Tangerine Rota Pola Diopter Filter Tray Prototype

Next, Rob showed us an interesting Rota Pola Diopter filter tray prototype that they are currently working on.

Image credit: Bright Tangerine

This 2-stage filter tray can take a 138mm circular polarizer, as well as a 5.65 ND filter.

Image credit: Bright Tangerine

At the top of the filter tray, there is a 0.8mm standard spring-loaded pitch gear that allows you to rotate the circular polarizer by hand, or with a dedicated focus motor. This will enable you to use the filter tray as a variable ND filter to control the amount of light that enters the lens.

Image credit: Bright Tangerine

Finally, there is a 1/4-20″ mounting thread at the bottom of the filter tray. This mounting point allows you to attach the filter tray to a magic arm if you want to use it without a matte box.

There is no information at the moment about pricing nor availability of the Bright Tangerine Rota Pola Diopter filter tray.

Image credit: Bright Tangerine

Bright Tangerine EVF Mount Prototype

Last but not least, Robert showed us a prototype of an unusual EVF mount Bright Tangerine is currently working on. This Bright Tangerine EVF mount attaches to two 15mm lightweight rods and features an ARRI standard dovetail at the end of the EVF bracket to attach your viewfinder.

Image credit: Bright Tangerine

What makes this EVF mount unique is that with one single turn of a knob, you can lock the entire back/forth/side position of your EVF. Then, another knob next to the EVF allows you to dial the exact amount of tension you want for your EVF. However, this Bright Tangerine EVF mount seems quite bulky and meant to use with cinema cameras like RED or ARRI, for example.

At the moment, there is no information about pricing nor availability of the Bright Tangerine EVF mount.

What do you think about the Bright Tangerine Misfit Kick? Do you think these two Bright Tangerine prototypes might be useful to you? Let us know in the comments below!