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FreshDV Reviews Matte Box Systems
Published by Matthew Jeppsen November 6th, 2007 in FreshDV, Hardware, News, Reviews 
FreshDV’s full review of Matte Box units is in the November print issue of DV Magazine, you can read it online at DV.com. While we were working with the matte boxes we captured some hands-on video footage that shows how the units match up. In the following video clips we cover the major features of each mattebox system, mount the units to our fully-loaded HVX test rig, and highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each solution. We encourage you to view each of these videos and determine which system may meet your unique requirements and needs. UPDATE: Check the comments below for a note on the Petroff review. The matte box bag solution referenced in the Chrosziel video can be seen here.
Intro and Petroff P44 Mattebox Review [8:41m]: Download Cinetech AB02-B Mattebox Review [8:36m]: Download Chrosziel 450MA Mattebox Review [7:17m]: Download Chrosziel DV Sunshade Review [2:11m]: DownloadYou can view the video reviews in either Quicktime MOV format (right-click the links above) or as Flash video streams (watch embedded below). Note that the above Quicktime versions are higher resolution and quality. You may also be interested in our accompanying review of five popular follow focus systems.
Introduction and Petroff Matte Box Review. $1320 USD MSRP @ Ste-Man.com
Cinetech AB02-B Matte Box Review. $1700 USD MSRP @ cinetechonline.com
Chrosziel Matte Box Review. $1763.00 USD promo @ 16×9inc.com
Chrosziel DV Sunshade Review. $875.00 USD promo @ 16×9inc.com
FreshDV would like to thank the following companies for their involvement in making this segment possible:
Zacuto for providing a fully-loaded handheld studio rig.
Fletcher Chicago for providing a Zeiss 85mm PL cinema lens.
Zeiss for providing a set of ZF prime lenses.
Cinevate for providing a Brevis 35mm lens adapter and PL-mount.
Bruce Allen for providing a Sekonic cine light meter.
Bartech Engineering for providing a remote wireless BFD focus system.
Palomar Engineering for providing the M-One focus motor for the BFD.
16×9 Inc for providing a Chrosziel matte box and follow focus.
Ste-Man, Inc for providing a Petroff matte box and follow focus.
Cinetech for providing a matte box and follow focus.
Redrock Micro for providing a follow focus.
IndiFocus for providing a follow focus and dolly system.
Ikan Corp for providing a HD reference monitor.
Lowel for providing a fully-loaded production lighting kit.
Mole-Richardson for providing a fully-loaded production lighting kit.
19 Responses to “FreshDV Reviews Matte Box Systems”
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Couple of comments about the Petroff. The rail riser is on backwards, if you take it of and flip it around, the rail lock is on camera left and will not hit the filter stage frame and the vertical riser lock has free clearance. Also, our Petroff came with thumb screws to lock down the filters and not allen screws, so they are definitely available. Also, it looks like you have the wide angle version, which is why it’s so narrow.
The Petroff is a great light weight fully modular box which is great to use on already front heavy adapter cams.
Thanks for the comments and clarification, EJ. It’s funny that you note the riser was backwards…I’m almost positive it arrived like that. That would be a major concern cleared in my mind!
While I agree that it’s lightweight design is a good thing, I personally would prefer more metal components. Perhaps it’s just me, but gear always seems to get accidentally beat up in the field. The Petroff P44 utilizes plastic components extensively, yet they still charge a premium for the unit. When you are spending upwards of $1K, I want something that will last. In fact, I’d personally choose the Chrosziel DV Sunshade over the Petroff…it offers many of the same features, seems more solid, but can be had for only $875.00 under the current promo price (vs $1320 for the Petroff). My $0.02 of course…
I’m glad to hear your particular unit arrived with thumb screws instead of allen heads, that was also another major concern in my mind…toolless is almost always better.
Thanks again for the info!
-Matt Jeppsen
What you refer to as a “french flag” is actually called an “eye brow”. A french flag is a flag on the end of a flexible rod/shaft that can be manipulated/articulated into various positions.
Appreciate the specific definition. Though it seems to be one of those situations where the slang word has taken over…I have heard “french flag” and “eyebrow” terms commonly used, as well as “top flag”. In my opinion the terms are interchangeable without confusion.
-MJ
“While I agree that it’s lightweight design is a good thing, I personally would prefer more metal components. Perhaps it’s just me, but gear always seems to get accidentally beat up in the field. The Petroff P44 utilizes plastic components extensively, yet they still charge a premium for the unit. When you are spending upwards of $1K, I want something that will last. My $0.02 of course…”
If you take the Petroff apart, you’ll see that all the important parts are metal. The frame, the rotating stages, the posts, the hinges, the screws. But the great thing about a fully modular mattebox like the Petroff is that if you break anything, it’s trivial to replace just the broken part. ABS is really tough, and although I might not put one into rental, it’s held up perfectly well for us over the last year. It would be nice to hear from Steve at Zacuto wether they have any Petroff’s in rental and how they hold up.
The other nice thing about a fully modular mattebox like the Petroff is that you can easily add or remove stages, and even move to different stage sizes. It takes about ten seconds to move from the wide angle hood like your demo to a deeper hood, all without tools.
When you compare the Petroff to other fully modular matteboxes, the pricing is really good.
Also, adding and removing stages is tool-less, and only takes a few seconds. The allen head you point to in the demo is actually for the spring block that lets you add and remove stages without tools, the filter lock is 180 degress opposite this allen head. The allen head lets you lock the stages together.
The stage add/remove instructions are here -
http://www.petroff.ws/Installing_Setup_Information/Adding and removing filter stages.pdf
And the stage lock instructions are here -
http://www.petroff.ws/Installing_Setup_Information/Matte box stage adjustments.pdf
hello
awesome reviews on the matte boxes
what i wanted to ask is what UV filters do u guys use to protect the carl ZF lenses i have a
50mm 85mm and 35mm
thanks
Chris, we didn’t have a good UV filter on hand, so I couldn’t really offer any guidance on that. How do you like the ZF lenses?
-Matt Jeppsen
matt jeppsen
have really got time to test it My M2 still needs tweaking lol alot of tweaking
ive got the same rig as u guys the zacuto just came in today watting for the xdcam ex to arrive
currently trying it out with my small hc3 lol
would u go for pelicans or storm cases carry on ones-
-chris
Hey Chris, I’m curious what exactly are you tweaking on the M2? Just trying to fine-tune collimation, or backfocus, or what?
As far as hard cases go, I’ve only ever used Pelican. Never owned a storm case. Really tend to be partial to soft-cases and Kata backpacks. :-)
-Matt Jeppsen
Hey guys,
Quick question. You mentioned a bag for matteboxes. Was that supposed to be featured in this review? Also, will these ever be posted on your podcast feed or only ever for download on here?
Thanks,
Joseph
Hey Joseph,
The 16×9 Matte Box Bag video was actually posted some time ago, you can see it here: http://www.freshdv.com/2007/06/freshdv-video-podcast-16×9-mattebox-storage-bag-review.html
As of right now, video reviews like this won’t automatically go into the podcast feed. We’re still debating all that…
-Matt Jeppsen
Matt,
Now I recall the review. Yes. Is that on their website? I remember having difficulty finding it after I watched the review. Anyway, great material so far. What else is in store?
Hey Joseph,
You are correct, it doesn’t appear to be on their website. The only bag I see listed is the Grab and Shoot (which actually is a sweet little softcase). I’d say give them a shout on the phone or via e-mail.
Next up are a few lighting kit reviews/overviews. Appreciate the comments!
-Matt
I’m loving these reviews, and how you focus on the nerdy details. I wish you could also review the Vocas MB-450, which looks like a great higher end unit. And also the Cinevate matte box, which may be good bangforthebucks … And of course the upcoming Redrock looks exciting. I want more! :)
hello matt jeppson
sorry for the late reply . Im tweaking the back focus
i went for storm 2500 carry on case
i have been looking for those zeiss lens cleaners that u guys use here in australia cant find them lol camera shops just dont sell them
would u know where to get these cleaning kits https://photo-shop.zeiss.com/Products/1216-071 online that do international orders
or what kind of cleaning kits do u guys use
check this out http://www.dvtec.tv/id29.html
do u think this would help balance and act like a stabilizer to the zacuto hand held
-chris
Hey Chris, that Zeiss lens cleaning kit is what I’ve been using, and it’s really handy. I use the spray and microfiber cloth when I have time, and the little disposable wipes when I am cleaning glass on the run. :-) The included soft brush is also very handy. Don’t know where you might get them if that site doesn’t take international orders…might look on ebay as well.
That DVTec rig is an interesting solution…I’ve seen one of those rigs in action, and they do act as a stabilizer to some extent. But I wonder if that one can really handle the weight a fully rigged-out 35mm adapter, particularly if you are adding a bunch of Zacuto accessories to the mix. Seems a bit lightweight for that application, at least from the pics.
-Matt
I’d like to see a comparison to the new Redrock Micro matte box.
So would we. Stay tuned…
-MJ