Tilta Mirage Pro Introduced – A Modular 3-Stage Matte Box with Electronic VND

by Jeff LochJune 8^th, 2024

During Cine Gear 2024, Tilta introduced a new version of their Mirage matte box: the Mirage Pro. This upgraded model can take up to three 4 x 5.65″ filters and comes with a six-stop electronic VND that can be controlled by the Nucleus Nano II wireless follow focus. The Mirage Pro has a swing-away design compatible with 15mm and 19mm rods but can also be attached directly to your lens via the included eleven clamp-on adapter rings from 80 to 136mm. So, let’s take a closer look at it!

During last year’s Cine Gear, Tilta introduced a lightweight rubber matte box prototype, but it sounds like this model will not come to the market. However, with the massive success of the Mirage matte box released in September 2021, Tilta focused on developing a more advanced and high-end model: the Mirage Pro.

Tilta Mirage Pro – features

The Tilta Mirage Pro is a modular matte box with many exciting features. First, compared to its predecessor, the Pro version features a swing-away design with an auto-lock mechanism, compatible with 15mm and 19mm rods. With more affordable cinema lenses on the market, swing-away matteboxes allow you to swap up lenses quickly.

But Tilta did not forget gimbal and run-and-gun shooters, as the Mirage Pro can also be attached directly to your lens. The matte box comes with eleven clamp-on adapter rings, including all the famous industry standards, such as 80/85/87/95/100/104/110/114/125/134, and 136mm. The adapter rings feature a light-blocking fabric that should help with shading and have better control over unwanted reflections.

The Mirage Pro can take up to three 4 x 5.6″ filters. The filter trays feature an anti-drop design, meaning they can’t fall even when unlocked. They are compatible with filters of 2mm and 4mm thickness.

Similarly to the Tilta Mirage, the Tilta Mirage Pro comes with an electronic VND filter that is powered via USB-C and can go from 0.3 to 1.5, equivalent to six stops. This is less than the original Mirage VND, which had nine stops of adjustment, but Tilta claims that this version “maintains true, natural colors.” Usually, VND filters that stop less light have less color cast when dialed in.

You can control the electronic VND strength via a Tilta Nucleus Nano II motor, which gives you wireless ND adjustment up to 100m/328ft.

The Mirage Pro features a tilt adjustment module ranging from 10° up to 15° down. This tilting mechanism allows you to control unwanted internal reflections caused when stacking multiple filters. According to Tilta, the clamp can also be adjusted up to 6mm upwards and 9mm downwards.

Compared to the Mirage, which only had one top flag, the Mirage Pro has four removable flags to give you more light-blocking control. Furthermore, the top flag has 55° extensions on both left and right sides for precise and extended control.

The Tilta Mirage Pro comes with five different front mattes to adjust to your focal length. Last but not least, optional hood options will be available. These magnetic, quick-release hoods will be available in either carbon fiber or rubber, depending on your shooting scenario. These different hoods can be handy for saving a little bit of weight when using a gimbal, for example.

Price and availability

According to Nick, pricing for the Tilta Mirage Pro will start around $300 for a base kit including a single clamp-on backing, and will go up to around $600 for a full kit with electronic VND, rod adapters, side and top flags, etc. The product should start shipping in fall 2024, but there’s currently no official release date.

For more information, please visit Tilta’s website.

What do you think about this new Mirage Pro matte box? Have you already used the Tilta Mirage? What is your go-to matte box? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments below!