ePhoto Professional Matte Box with Swing-Away Arm
While I stopped by ePhoto today I noticed that they’ve dropped the price on their Matte Box Bundle on Amazon. This ePhoto DSLR Matte Box Pro Complete Bundle comes with: 15mm Swing-away Arm, Top French Flags & Side Wings, 4 Neoprene Donuts, 2 Independent Rotatable Filter Stages and 2 Filter Trays for only $229 right now with FREE SHIPPING on Amazon. This is an incredibly low price, ePhoto just dropped it down to 54% off of the original asking price.
The top French flag and side wings are detachable, and the bayonets lock the flags in tightly so there is no fall off. The swing-away arm makes changing lenses an easy task. This feature is super useful when you’re shooting with multiple lenses. This matte box ships with 4 different size neoprene donuts that make it possible for you to fit various lens sizes with. The ePhoto Matte Box Pro is also height adjustable and the French flags are made out of metal.
**An important note** This matte box also comes with 2 universal 360 degree rotating filter stages and 2 filter trays that support both 4×4″ and 4×5.65″ filter sizes. Customers who have used this same style of matte box (sold under different retailer names) have stated that the filter stages and trays are ineffective and do not hold the filters. Below are two videos from users of this type of matte box. One is satisfied, the other pointing out the shortcomings of it. If you are NOT using fliters, this matte box may still be a really great option.
Quick Specs:
ePhoto Pro DSLR RIG Matte Box with 2 Stage 15mm Swing away Arm
Do you have any recommendations for an affordable Matte box that has usable filter trays?
Hi Brandon, I’ve been looking. Give me a little time to do some research on quality and price points. I’m also going to try the ePhoto Matte Box with some filters to test it out. I’ll be updating this post..
What’s your main use for a matte box? …to shade the lens …or to shoot footage with filters?
If you use filters, then what type of filters do you use the most and why?
Hi Martin, a matte box is designed to control the light entering the lens in order to prevent lens flare. Matte boxes can include a French flag at the top and/or side burns on the sides. These block the light from hitting the lens in unwanted areas that can create lens flare in the case that the matte box is not deep enough. A matte box holds filters that can be rotated (in filter trays) to achieve the best exposure results when using a graduated neutral density filter, for example. Filters not only protect the glass on your lens, they can also change the intensity or color of light entering into the lens. Depending on what type of filter you purchase, they all suite different situations. Filters come in different sizes and you want to purchase your filter to fit the diameter of your lens, or in this case, the mate box (usually 4X4 or 4X5.6). When shooting with a DSLR you’ll probably be using an ND filter the most so you can remain at 24fps if you’re trying to retain the film look. This matte box has two independently rotating filter trays. This feature allows you to use an ND in one, for example, and a polarizer in the other. If your ND is graduated, you’ll have more control with the independent rotating feature on the matte box.