Archive notice: This article was originally published on April 20, 2009. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
The new sliding plate with 19 mm rods raises the RED ONE to the optically correct position. Examination of delivered cameras revealed slight differences in body dimensions. The RED ONE matte boxes compensate for these differences through an adjustable height offset on the swing-away arm.
The most versatile model for RED is the MatteBox 840 R2. It has a rotating dual-filter stage and ships with two identical multiformat filter holders for 4 x 5.65-inch filters in horizontal and vertical orientations and for 5 x 5-inch filters. Both filters rotate and adjust vertically independently. The swing-away system simplifies lens changes. The MB 840 R2 mounts directly to 19 mm rod supports without an adapter. An optional clamp adapter can replace the swing-away arm without tools and attach the matte box directly to the lens. Maximum lens diameter is 142.5 mm; smaller lenses are covered by rubber bellows and adapter rings. With 5 x 5-inch filters, cinema lenses down to 10 mm focal length can be used. With 4 x 5.65-inch filters, unrestricted coverage begins at approximately 14 mm.
The MB 805 is established in video and film production. In its MatteBox 805 RED version, it also mounts directly to 19 mm rod supports without an adapter. It ships with a first fixed filter stage and a second removable rotating stage. The fixed stage has a multiformat holder for 4 x 4-inch and horizontal 4 x 5.65-inch filters; the second accepts 5 x 5-inch and horizontal 4 x 5.65-inch filters. In this combination, cinema lenses from 10 mm can be used without restriction; with only the first stage, the limit is 9 mm. Mask inserts for 11, 24, 42, 65, and 100 mm focal lengths improve stray-light reduction. The masks fit at the front of the housing.
Both the MB 840 R2 and MB 805 R can be expanded with additional filter stages.
The compact MB 456 R2 is a new design weighing 609 grams. It supports both 15 mm rod systems and clamp-on use as a sunshade. Its two rotating stages are identically configured for 4 x 5.65-inch filters so mobile crews need carry only one filter size. The usable range begins at 18 mm focal length. The multiformat holder also accepts 4 x 4-inch filters, though this restricts wide-angle use to roughly 22 mm and is recommended by the manufacturer only in sunshade mode. Maximum front-element diameter is 130 mm, covering most lenses used on the RED ONE.
Prices begin at approximately €1,140 for the MB 456 R2 including French flag and side-wing holder. The MB 805 RED costs €2,290, the MB 840 R2 €2,630, and sliding plate 401-124 has a recommended retail price of €880. The products are available immediately.
Further Links:
- Chrosziel
