7. Opteka MB360 Digital Matte Box for Video and DSLR Camera Rigs and Cages
As one reviewer recalls: “ For the price it’s a little slice of instant credibility! “. “ Long Lens(telephoto) needed if using a Follow Focus in order to reach the hole. ”, writes one reviewer. “ It shouldn’t be that hard to make it good. . . ” notes one reviewer.
Listen, are you going to see Tarantino or Coppola walking down the street with one of these on their camera? Probably not, but for the price it’s a sturdy little item that spruces up your DSLR rig and gives you an instant”wow” factor when you set up your camera. You’re not going to be able to drop in filters on this sub-$30 item, and it’s basically a glorified light shade, but despite the plastic build it’s overall build quality is high. I recently purchased one to add to a Canon T3i DSLR package that I assembled (along with a follow focus, etc.) and the entire set-up looks infinitely more impressive and legit than my”primary” work camera that I use (a 5d mii). I’ve been in the video industry for over 15 years, and one of my biggest issues as a small videography business owner has been
For the price it’s a little slice of instant credibility!
If you are using a prime lens – Canon 50mm on a dslr or a small/shallow built lens and a follow focus the Digital Matte box will not reach the lens. I believe if I use a 200 or 300mm telephoto lens it will work with my follow focus. The unit it all made of plastic except where the rail system is. Height adjustment is located on the inside of the unit instead of facing away from the camera.
Long Lens(telephoto) needed if using a Follow Focus in order to reach the hole.
This is OK for a cheap product and the black plastic flags do block light. However, why can’t they make it so the flags can either fold back or fold forward for carrying and/or storage. The design (which is too exulted a word for what they have done) is such that the flags only collapse partially before they interfere with one another. So, it is necessary to remove the flags by unsnapping them. And they are difficult to attach and detach. The snap on very tightly and the clamping part has to expand a lot, so I expect it will fail after a modest number of uses. I’m keeping it only because it was an open box return and was much cheaper than the going price you will see.
It shouldn’t be that hard to make it good. . .
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