Shape matte box?

While awaiting my BMCC, I'm researching other essentials, like matte boxes...

I saw a 4x4 matte box listed on Shape's web site, and it has a good price ($625) compared to the likes of Red Rock and Chrosziel and Zacuto, but I haven't found any reviews of it anywhere. Since the Shape rigs have a good reputation for build quality, I thought their matte box was at least worth a look... Anyone have any experience with them?

Thanks!

I have no experience with the Shape matte box, for $625 it looks like it would be fine. I just received the Genus PV Matte Box Advanced kit that they have the "display stock"on sale now for a limited time of $667, it normally sells for $1,333.00. The "display stock" I received was no different than brand new as far as I can tell. I have not used it yet, but the quality is first rate and reviews around the net are very favorable. I have a feeling that they're using the term "display stock" to not hurt their standard pricing so they can move some product.

http://shop.genustech.tv/collections/sh ... it-special

I have to wait for a transaction to clear before I ave the funds, but if that Genus deal is still available I will probably jump on it. I should have the funds in a few days, so hopefully...

If noir, I guess I'll give the Shape matte box a shot; I figure that with the reputation they have for their rigs, they'll probably have at least solid build quality in their matte box, and if I spend $625 or so on the matte box instead of $1000' I can afford a Sound Devices mixer/preamp instead of a JuicedLink. I just don't link being limited to an 8th inch headphone output rather than a professional connector.

Thanks!

The lanparte product range is very good for the price in my opinion. I like their matte-box.

They also do a carbon fibre version.

Just saw this new product...same thing. No reviews. But SOLID looking. Really good looking. Either photoshopeed or this stuff is actually good quality

I just looked at the Lanparte page describing their carbon fiber matte box. It looks pretty impressive, but I don't see the price... I'll look around for some resellers. Thanks for the tip!

let me go with a silly, general Q.

I never used matte box since I always felt confortable with ND filters.

What's the big difference? Is it difficult to find filters for the matte box and are they expensive?

tnx, sorry

A matte box is basically a very nice lens shade that you can configure as necessary to keep stray light off of your lens and also to keep light off of the filters from behind. They generally include slots for adding filters, and that also enables you to use the same filters on a wide variety of lenses without worrying about step up rings. From what I've seen most matte boxes allow you to rotate at least one of the filters freely.

Look into Lanparte.

They're made in China, so you have to find a distributor in your country or buy from their eBay store. The "made in China" bit turns off quite a few people but IMO they have probably the best gear at the price range. They also get excellent reviews. Puts some more expensive brands down right to shame. I haven't tried their Matte Box though I wish.

Their rail/follow-focus is downright amazing.

I'm looking... and I'm impressed, the reviews for the Lanparte matte box are impressive! I found a review out of curiosity about their follow focus, which are surprisingly positive. I got myself an Edelkrone Focus One Pro, so I think I'm set in that regard, if the Edelkrone works out... but it's nice to know that if not, there's another option that's not all that expensive in case I need to move up before I get myself established with regular cinematography work

I just looked at the Lanparte page describing their carbon fiber matte box. It looks pretty impressive, but I don't see the price... I'll look around for some resellers. Thanks for the tip!

Check out coollcd.com they are a US distributor and I have had lots of success with ordering from them. Everything ships from Hong Kong. I have looked into the CF Matte box as well, it retails for $799.99 US

Thanks! It seems like this might be the best choice in matte boxes, especially given the price. I definitely prefer to have a place to order it from that is neither amazon nor eBay, also. I prefer small vendors

I will also mention that I am super impressed with the quality of the Lanparte components. I picked up the follow focus and it is amazing quality at any price. Also have a handful of other components and am equally impressed.
Not sure that I am completely sold on the Carbon Fiber Matte Box, though with an already hefty camera, a shaving a few grams could be helpful. Sort of reminds me of mountain or road biking.

Well, I just ordered one of the Lanparte carbon fiber matte boxes from coollcd.com. I'm not sure when it will get here, but with the reviews I've seen it seems like it'll be a good choice, and it's going to be a while befor emy BMCC arrives anyway. Plus it turns out that the geometry of my Nex-7 doesn't really work very well with the Shape cage. The tripod mounting hole on the Nex is off centered just enough to force it to be crooked if I use the tripod foot on the Alpha adapter, and too low for my bigger lenses without it.

I'm pleased with the rig itself, even though the Nex-7 doesn't really fit it all that well.

Thanks for the recommendation

The Lanparte matte box arrived today. As far as build quality I'd compare it with the Chrosziel matte boxes we have at school, and its ergonomics are great. I'm impressed!

Thanks for the recommendation to look into Lanparte, it was worth it