SMALLRIG Modular Matte Box & VND Kit - The Polar Pro BASECAMP Killer!

I've been using this matte box from ‪@SmallRigGlobal‬ for the past 3 months and its been absolute perfection. Smallrig have listened users and the complaints from certain manufacturers.
Smallrig Matte Box System - amzn.to/3TVWEAy
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[@enri.filmsss]

Planning to get myself this particular Matte Box soon! It seems so versatile and so sleek looking. Especially having the option to add more 4 x 5.65" filters on it. Thank you for this review!

[@rickymcc9072]

Hi This looks like an interesting option. I'm new to video and trying to understand what's the best most appropriate kit. My query is how good is the VND and how even across the frame (ie any X pattern) and what if any discernible colour shifts are occurring? How does the SR VND compare in optical quality (evenness of darkening and no colour shift vs the well regarded PM Polar Pro VND filter? Have you had any experience using motorised control of the VND? I like Smallrig products (generally pretty well made) so this is of interest. I previously bought a SR Mini matte box pro (slightly smaller, but it won't easily handle a VND, but does take (expensive) slide in NDs. I had to sell my 82mm Haida combined polariser and VND as it was impossible to use with any lens hood fitted, or my first foray into matte boxes. I more recently bought an 82mm Polar Pro PM VND (expensive) but good. It will fit onto front of my matte box mini pro but it's still a pain to rotate the VND which requires reaching into the box to turn/adjust (very fiddly and not that practical). It's OK on my 24-70mm GM mk ii lens (82mm f' thread), but still fiddly to use with that box. Less suited to other lenses with smaller filter threads that require step-up rings to get to 82mm, which then in turn means I can't then use their regular Sony lens hood. Also I suspect that I can't use the PP VND screwed onto the front of the box (but I haven't tried to see if I can improvise anything yet) - not that it works that well in practice on an 82mm f' thread optic. If I bought this system, then I'd consider selling my earlier matte box (after doing a side by side comparison). Most of all I'm trying to establish what is considered good, what works well in practice to just buy once and buy right. I don't want to keep buying stuff that's sounds OK in theory, but fails to do the job properly in practice. I have many item's that are OK and I can just about live with, but aren't really right. I figure it's cheaper long term to find out what is 'really right' and just buy that once rather than buy, try, sell-on and repeat.

[@IanSnape]

Thanks for watching. A note to start would be using wide lens 24mm and wider having vignette is always a problem. In terms of the colour shift if found it to be minimal when using it and I like matte box a lot. I use it with my FX6 a lot but this camera also has internal NDs so I’m not using the VND with it. Where this matte box shines for me is that’s it’s an affordable and flexible system for when I want to use other filters and also have a good quality matte box.

[@MrEcrelinf]

Is it possible to mount the VND "upside down", so that the little wheel is on the lower left side of the lens ? This would make more sense if you're shooting run and gun, and therefore need to adjust the ND quickly, while still pulling focus for example. Thanks a lot !

[@IanSnape]

Unfortunately no, unless you turn the entire matte box system upside down but obviously you will lose the use of the top flag. Thanks Ian

[@MrEcrelinf]

@@IanSnape Thank you for your answer! It's such a shame. I don't understand why they would put it so out of reach.

[@biboumimou12]

Thank you for this video. Is it possible to put the variable ND filter + another filter like a black promist, for example?

[@IanSnape]

Yes you can buy additional filter trays for this.

[@biboumimou12]

@@IanSnape thanks you very much. and use both together?

[@Amanadeolstudios]

No can’t put two filters together , if that’s what you are asking. You can buy different filters but there’s only space for one filter tray , either use the VND or black pro-mist . Another thing you can do is screw the circular mist filter & use the VND tray , that works just fine too .

[@Kutkop345]

@@Amanadeolstudios You can actually stack the filters. You just have to buy additional filter trays. It is unlimited with this system. 6:25

[@camerajames]

Can you insert the VND filter in reverse so the operation wheel is on operator (left side) of the camera?

[@IanSnape]

No the filters are one way only. Thanks for watching

[@Roland-b4e]

what about performance and colour shifts .. mate?

[@IanSnape]

I didnt experience any with this but something I should have shown. Thanks for tuning in

[@rameshsk702]

04:24 - I have Nisi 95mm True Color ND Filter, Do this adapter ring takes the filter through stepup ring?

[@rameshsk702]

Example: 1st install: Smallrig 67-95 lens adapter ring , 2nd install: 67-95 step up ring, 3rd Install: 95mm ND filter , 4rth Install : Mattebox

[@IanSnape]

I feel this would be tight, I’ve used a 82mm screw on vnd inside and that’s probably the limit.

[@xenex2404]

I keep my rails put together. That said, only take the matte box off your rig, leave the rail mount on the rails, enjoy that extra space.

[@JayWilsonMedia]

Does this work with all of their matte boxes?

[@aevoss]

At 3:08 you clamp it on and I’d love to know how much it actually weighs in that scenario. You said it weighs nothing.

[@IanSnape]

11.4 oz / 323 g

[@Vibrance_Visuals]

How is the color shift w the vnd

[@JoshMurphyDrums]

the opening 🤣 Also 3:44 for some niche ASMR thank me later

[@Superjeanmarc]

Is the flag removable?

[@IanSnape]

Yes fully

[@ThatFinanceShow]

Hahahah😂 peepoooo!

[@helveticfpv550]

hey thanks for the video! i pressed that subscribed button every time you told and wrote me. Now i have not subscribed. :)

[@Eyeofkamau]

LOL

[@IanSnape]

Great work thanks for coming onboard and then not. I love you basic type

[@davidemarchionniphotograph2347]

Would be useful to say that frame, vignette and x effect are rendering the VND kit a pointless system below 50 mm lens So you left out a crucial piece of information. Classic influencer stuff

[@IanSnape]

I’m sorry… please forgive me In terms of using wide lenses with any VND this will cause an issue. In terms of this being a good matte box for use with cameras having internal ND then this is a great product. Thanks for watching

[@soundstructuremedia]

SO TAKE POLAR PRO IDEA AND LOOK THEN SAY ITS THE BASECAMP KILLER... THEN YOU SAY POLAR PRO HAS SOMETHING YOU DONT LIKE THEN SAY SMALLRIG HAS A FUNCTION YOU DONT LIKE...... REAL PLEAJOURISM AT ITS FINEST

[@IanSnape]

I mean there are only so many iterations of a matte box to be created. Polar Pro unfortunately made a good product and ruined it by not allowing use of third party filters…. Which is stupid and Smallrig allow that so in terms of using a matte box for its intended use and being able to use any filter on the market it’s a better product by far.

[@GiveMeP0wer]

What about color shift and vignetting(on 16mm lens on full frame cameras)? The best choice today in Nisi True Color or Freewell VND. What about this one?

[@IanSnape]

I had the freewell one and that had colour shift and wasn’t very good in my opinion. I have not noticed any colour shift with this Smallrig one and also some of my cameras have inbuilt ND so this is best of both worlds for me. NISI is ok but again it’s a VND and not a matte box which is what we are talking about in this video. Appreciate you comments and thanks for watching

[@GiveMeP0wer]

@@IanSnape btw I using freewell for 3 years , with combination of x-rite color checker passport, and the only color shift in freewell is light a bit warmer, but not green/magenta or other bad colors. And few words about Nisi, this is have matte box, that called Nisi C5, u can check it) For me, I don't use matte box at all on my projects, but I thinking to buy it 😅

[@IanSnape]

Yes it’s a good matte box for cameras with internal ND which are which I use mainly, and having ability to use third party filters is great. Like I say I was using polar pro but being locked into their filters is crazy idea and not worth it. Thanks for watching.