About 2 years ago RED scrapped their plans for a mattebox. Yesterday Jim posted the following render, which gives food to the hope that the announcement for late October might just include in this picture (click on it for full size).
Looks like carbon fibre with 2 rotating 4×5.6 trays, enough holders for eyebrows on all 4 edges, and option to clamp it onto the lens.
This was a busy night with Jim showing a couple of new renders from the upcoming EpicX 5k camera. What is so special about this camera – besides its technical specs – is its modularity. You can use it as a very small, lightweight system (ideal for run-and-gun shoots), or build it up into pretty much any configuration you can imagine.
There will be a number of battery options on the new camera. As promised, most equipment from the RED One period will be compatible with both the Epic and Scarlet. To use V-lock batteries, there will be a module for batteries – which will take 2 batteries at a time, for extended running times; especially taken into consideration that the new cameras will draw less power.
Finally some details about the long awaited budget MMB-1 Matte Box and MFF-1 Follow Focus are emerging from Arri. While the former is geared mainly towards the HDV crowd, the MFF-1 could be very interesting for anyone looking for a quality follow focus. It features hard, adjustable stops – which are also great when you are doing both focus and operating at the same time – that way you can set your marks beforehand and off you go.
The MFF-1 has a gear that can be reversed in about 30 seconds. This is great when using still lenses, many of which focus in the other direction as traditional cine lenses.
The MMB-1 can be clipped on or attached to 15mm bars. Though nicely built, it has some limitations that will make it a no-no for anyone wanting to shoot more than just HDV – because of the design of many HDV cameras, Arri had to make the mattebox side-loadable. This is a nice safety feature, but many graduated filters will simply not work in the mattebox.
I am quite excited about the Follow focus, and am looking forward to trying one out myself. As to the mattebox; if you are on a budget, have a look at the offering from RedRock.
