CinemaTechnic | Products | Matte Boxes

Tips on picking the right filter size:

4x4 in [102mm] filters are the minimum for professional film or electronic cinematography. All smaller sizes are considered obsolete. 4x4 size filters are only really suitable for standard 16mm and non-widescreen electronic cameras. The are also well suited to small electronic cameras with integrated lenses such as the Canon GL-2 / XL-1 and Sony PD-150.

4x5.65 in [102 x 144mm] With the dominance of the 16x9 aspect ratio, Super 16 instead of standard 16mm, and HDTV instead of NTSC, we reccomend you consider 4x5.65 in filters for Super 16 or 16x9 HDVS or other professional electronic cameras (CineAlta, Varicam, Viper, 1080p, 720p, DVCAM, Beta SP and DigiBeta widescreen). 4x5.65 is also the smallest practical size for 35mm cinematography. The 4x5.65 size is also referred to as "Panavision" size and was originally developed by Panavision as the most compact size that would cover their widescreen anamorphic lenses.

5x6 in [127 x 152mm] filters are not very common, and will only fit the ARRI MB-14 and MB-15 Matte Boxes.

6.6x6.6 in [168mm sq] Is the largest size commonly produced. Choose 6.6x6.6 for 35mm format shooting with graduated filters (grads) and for covering extremely wide angle lenses, or lenses with very large front elements such as the Angenieux 17-102mm.

There are also a few circular sizes in use. These are commonly used for polarizers, star filters, diopters and split diopters and other filters that need to rotate. 138mm round diameter round filters are the most common. This is the minimum size that will cover most of a 4x5.65 filter. 138mm is the most compatible size, and is the size we reccomend for most uses. 138mm holders are available for the ARRI MB-14, MB-15, and MB-18 Matte Boxes. There is also a 6 inch [152mm] round size that is used to cover 35mm format lenses with very large front elements, or wide angle anamorphic lenses. 6in round filters are required for the Angenieux 17-102, and the Cooke 18-100 and 20-100 zooms. 6in round filter holders are compatible with the ARRI MB-14 and MB-15. 4.5 in [114mm] round filters are only compatible with the ARRI MB-14 Matte Box. These small filters will vignette on wide angle lenses in 16mm and we do not reccomended them for Super 16 or 35mm cinematography, or 16x9 widescreen electronic.

CinemaTechnic can supply the full line of Schnieder Optics (B+W) filters. Please e-mail for information.

ARRI Production Matte Boxes:

ARRI has defined what the modern professional matte box should be. Their products offer the finest design and workmanship. ARRI offers a wide variety of production and lightweight matte boxes. The production matte boxes (MB) are built heavier to accommodate more filter stages and top and side eyebrows. They also offer operating comforts such as swing a way mechanism for easy and fast lens changes. The lightweight mate boxes (LMB) are perfect for hand held configurations. All matte boxes are precisely designed for use with Arriflex 16mm and 35mm camera systems. Small filters than the standard sizes can be used with the help of reduction traysCinemaTechnic are authorized ARRI USA dealers.

ARRI MB-14 Production Matte Box System. This is the most widely used, full sized, 6.6 x 6.6 in matte box in the professional 35mm motion picture industry. The large MB-14 can cover lenses as wide as 14mm (35mm, spherical) and has hard mattes for lenses as wide as 18mm. It easily accomodates the front elements of large lenses such as the Angenieux 17-102mm. It is compatible with filter sizes of 4x4, 4x5.65, 4x6, 5x6, and 6.6 x 6.6 inch. This matte box is also compatible with 138mm round filters in a rotating holder. A huge list of accessories is available for the MB-14, please contact CinemaTechnic for details.

MB-14 6.6 x 6.6 Production Matte Box Set MB-14, for 15mm or 19mm rod Bridgeplates, with two standard and two geared 6.6x6.6 filter trays, french flag holder, mask set (hard mattes) for use with 18 - 180mm lenses, and flexible shaft for graduated filter. Must be used with a compatible Bridgeplate

NOTE: It is possible to convert the MB-14 from 15mm to 19mm rod compatibilty and vice versa.

ARRI MB-15 5 x 6 in Production Matte Box System. This 5x6 matte box is a popular choice for 35mm cinematography and is also well suited for Super 16mm or HD cinematography. It is lighter and more compact than the MB-14. The MB-15 can cover lenses as wide as 16mm (35mm, spherical) and has hard mattes for lenses as wide as 18mm. It easily accomodates the front elements of large lenses such as the Angenieux 17-102mm. It is compatible with filter sizes of 4x4, 4x5.65, 4x6 and 5x6 inch. The MB-15 does not have geared filter tray capability.This matte box is also compatible with 138mm round filters in a rotating holder. A large list of accessories is available for the MB-15, please contact CinemaTechnic for details.

MB-15, for 15mm or 19mm rod Bridgeplates, with two 5x6 filter trays, french flag holder Must be used with a compatible Bridgeplate

ARRI MB-18 4 x 5.65 in Production Matte Box System. This 4 x 5.65 matte box is frequenly selected for Super 16mm or HD cinematography, and is also a good choice for 35mm with prime lenses or 10-1 zooms. It should be selected instead of the MB-16 4x4 Matte Box if you are shooting for 16x9 or 1.85 formats, since it is designed to cover the wider aspect ratio. It is slightly lighter and more compact than the MB-15, and moderatley larger and heavier than the MB-16 (4x4) The MB-18 can cover prime lenses as wide as 16mm (35mm, spherical), or the wide angle end of a 20-100mm zoom in 1.85:1 format. In Super 16 format, it can cover an 8mm prime. The MB-18 has hard mattes for both 16mm and 35mm formats. It is compatible with filter sizes of 4x4 and 4x5.65 inch. This matte box is also compatible with 138mm round filters in a rotating holder. A large list of accessories is available for the MB-18, please contact CinemaTechnic for details.

MB-18, for 15mm or 19mm rod Bridgeplates, with two standard and one geared 4 x 5.65 filter trays, french flag holder. Must be used with a compatible Bridgeplate

ARRI MB-16 4 x 4 in Production Matte Box System. This 4 x 4 matte box is the latest version of the ARRI 4x4 mate box. It is very commonly used for 16mm and is compatible with Super 16 lenses of moderate focal length (12mm and up). It is also be used on 35mm cameras using lenses of 24mm or longer focal length (spherical, academy). The MB-16. The MB-16 has hard mattes for both 16mm (12mm+ F.L.) and 35mm formats (24mm+ F.L.). It is compatible with filter sizes of 4x4 and 4x5.65 inch. This matte box is also compatible with 4.5 in. round filters in a rotating holder. A large list of accessories is available for the MB-16, please contact CinemaTechnic for details.

MB-18, for 15mm or 19mm rod Bridgeplates, with two standard and one geared 4 x 5.65 filter trays, french flag holder. Must be used with a compatible Bridgeplate

ARRI Lightweight Matte Boxes:

ARRI also offers a line of well designed compact matte boxes. These products are frequenly preferred for hand held, Steadicam, or other types of shooting were light weight is a plus, and there is no need for using several filters at once, or rotating filter stages. The LMB-5 fits multiple lens front diameters from 80mm to 114mm. It is perfect for use with Zeiss primes, Zeiss Vario-Sonnar zooms, Zeiss Ultra Primes, (14-180mm), and Angenieux 11.5-138mm HR zoom.

Chrosziel Matte Boxes:

CinemaTechnic also represents Chrosziel. Detailed information will be added to this page soon. Please e-mail for more information.

NOTE: Prices subject to change without notice.
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