Many of us have no access to showrooms where we can test matte boxes. A lot of research includes hearsay, educated guessing and years of experience in the field.
In this article, I will list down seven different matte boxes for specs, versatility and price. I’m specifically looking at 2-stage matte boxes. We’ll do another article for single stage matte boxes.
If you don’t know about matte boxes, I highly recommend you start by reading my Matte Box Primer:
What am I looking for in a matte box and why
Here are some important considerations to make before investing in a matte box:
- It should take 4×5.65″ filters, 4mm thick. This size covers a full frame sensor, even at wide angles. To invest in smaller matte boxes is a waste of money.
- It should have at least filter 2 stages, out of which one must be rotatable by 360°. This excludes any circular rotatable filter options.
- It must be able to take cinema lenses.
- It must have a great sunshade and if possible, mattes – ideal for wide angle lenses (at least 18mm for Super 35mm, or 24mm for full frame 135)
- It must include a French flag or Eyebrow or Top flag.
- If possible it must offer both mounting solutions – clamp on and 15mm LWS rod mount.
- Must be durable and well-engineered.
- Must be versatile (I’ll explain this later).
The matte box should give me enough options to work with current and future gear, while still being lightweight and versatile.
I mainly use Formatt Firecrest 4×5.65″ IRND filters, both solid and graduated. I can’t afford to have them fall off!
If your favorite manufacturer or model isn’t on this list, I’ve discounted them for personal reasons or because I’ve used stuff from them that don’t meet my standards. Let’s leave it at that.
Here are my top suggestions:
1 Movcam MM1
Here are the specs of the Movcam MM1:
| Feature | Movcam Mattebox MM1 |
| Filter Stages | 2 |
| How many rotating? | 1 |
| Angle of rotation | 360 |
| Maximum Diameter | 144mm |
| Hard Mattes | No |
| Widest Focal Length (S35) | 14mm |
| Weight | 1.54kg, all inclusive |
| Materials | Carbon fiber |
| Mounting points | No |
The Movcam MM1 has a swing away system but the negative is it can’t be height adjusted. It can be removed though, and you can make it a clip on matte box. It has a French flag and side flags, and can take cinema lenses with a 114mm front diameter.
The other disadvantage is there are no additional mounting points, and no hard mattes.
2 Tilta MB-T04
Here are the specs of the Tilta MB-T04:
| Feature | Tilta MB-T04 |
| Filter Stages | 2 |
| How many rotating? | 1 |
| Angle of rotation | 360 |
| Maximum Diameter | 134mm |
| Hard Mattes | Yes, from 16mm to 180mm |
| Widest Focal Length (S35) | 16mm |
| Weight | 3.9 kg, all inclusive |
| Materials | Carbon fiber, aluminum-alloy, stainless steel |
| Mounting points | No |
The Tilta MB-T04 is a carbon fiber matte box which supports both 15mm LWS and 19mm rods.
The matte box also comes with 80, 90, 114, and 134mm lens adapters though it’s strange to see no 95mm, a common lens size.
The Tilta MB-T04 is not compatible with diopter trays.
3 ARRI MMB-2
Here are the specs of the Arri MMB-2:
| Feature | ARRI MMB-2 |
| Filter Stages | 2 |
| How many rotating? | 1 |
| Angle of rotation | 360 |
| Maximum Diameter | 114mm |
| Hard Mattes | 5 types |
| Widest Focal Length (S35) | 18 mm |
| Weight | 597 g with top flag |
| Materials | Metal, plastic |
| Mounting points | 1/4″ threads |
I own the Arri MMB-2, the entire set, and I’ve been using it for about six years now.
It’s a great, well-designed matte box with only one drawback. The nuns knickers are too tight (and small). It’s doable, but a pain to use. The only help Arri could give me was to use third-party knickers.
You have to buy all the accessories, and there isn’t anything missing. But the costs do add up.
What you get with the Arri brand is perfectly designed filter trays that just snap into place. The flags stay put in decent conditions (as long as it isn’t super windy). Can’t ask for more. I haven’t found a need to upgrade or change matte boxes since I’ve bought it.
4 Wooden Camera UMB-1
Here are the specs of the Wooden Camera UMB-1:
| Feature | Wooden Camera UMB-1 |
| Filter Stages | 2 |
| How many rotating? | 2 |
| Angle of rotation | 360 |
| Maximum Diameter | 143mm |
| Hard Mattes | Yes, five sizes |
| Widest Focal Length (S35) | N/A |
| Weight | 1 kg with top flag |
| Materials | Plastic? |
| Mounting points | Yes |
The Wooden Camera UMB-1 is compatible with 143mm opening with universal cloth donut. It has a French flag which is foldable horizontally. It mounts on a 15mm LW rod bracket which is height adjustable. The matte box has two rotating 4 x 5.65″ filter stages (with an optional third stage available).
This might be the only matte box you’ll ever need.
5 Chrosziel 450W
Here are the specs of the Chrosziel MB 450W:
| Feature | Chrosziel MB 450W |
| Filter Stages | 2 |
| How many rotating? | 2 |
| Angle of rotation | 360 |
| Maximum Diameter | 130mm |
| Hard Mattes | No |
| Widest Focal Length (S35) | 14mm |
| Weight | 0.97 kg |
| Materials | Carbon fiber |
| Mounting points | No |
The Chrosziel MB 450W is specifically designed for wide angle lenses up to 20mm lens (on a full frame sensor), which is why it’s called a Super Wide matte box. The matte box has to be mounted on a 15mm LWS plate.
6 Bright Tangerine Misfit Kick 360
Here are the specs of the Bright Tangerine Misfit Kick 360:
| Feature | Bright Tangerine Misfit Kick 360 2-Stage Core |
| Filter Stages | 2, you can make it 3 |
| How many rotating? | 1 |
| Angle of rotation | 360 |
| Filter sizes | 4 x 5.65″ and 5 x 5″ |
| Maximum Diameter | 143mm |
| Hard Mattes | No |
| Widest Focal Length (S35) | n/a |
| Weight | 580 g, with top flag |
| Materials | Aluminum and Carbon fiber |
| Mounting points | No |
The Bright Tangerine Misfit Kick 360 2-Stage matte box has 2 filter stages out of which one rotates. It can also be upgraded to a 3-stage matte box.
The Misfit Kick 360 also supports 5×5″ filters, removing the risk of vignetting, even when rotating the stage. It is also compatible with ARRI clamp adapters.
The Bright Tangerine Misfit Kick 360 2-Stage Core is configurable to clip-on, rod mount or swing away with a wide range of accessories. It has a variety of kit options.
7 OConnor O-BOX WM
Here are the specs of the OConnor O-BOX WM:
| Feature | OConnor O-BOX WM |
| Filter Stages | 2 |
| How many rotating? | 1 |
| Angle of rotation | 360 |
| Maximum Diameter | 150mm |
| Hard Mattes | No |
| Widest Focal Length (S35) | n/a |
| Weight | 1.66 kg, all inclusive |
| Materials | Composite (Plastic) |
| Mounting points | Yes |
The OConnor O-BOX WM Set is the last 2-stage matte box in our list, maybe even the best value for money. It’s designed around the 16:9 wide-angle format.
The OConnor O-BOX WM Set has a wide mini sunshade which offers augmented rigidity and impact resistance resulting in reduced sunshade replacements in professional production environments. And it has 6 mounting points, called O-Grips.
I hope this comparison will help you find your own 4 x 5.65″ matte box for film work.
If you know of any other models that you prefer please let me know in the comments below.
