Matte Box Archives

Kolari introduces Atlas – The lightest matte box in the industry

Mar 27, 2023 by John Aldred Leave a Comment

Kolari Vision – yes, those folks who make camera filters and love tearing apart cameras – have released Atlas. They’re calling it “the lightest matte box system in the industry”, and well, yeah, it certainly seems to be. But it’s more than just a matte box. It’s a whole modular filter mounting system that can be utilised for both photography and filmmaking, adapting to each as you need it to.

Kolari Atlas is essentially a filter holder system that allows you to stack filters and effects using magnets. You can also attach one or multiple flags to the sides of the system, allowing you to block light from just about any angle. Weighing in at only 179g at its minimum configuration with a single filter, it will have minimal impact on the balance of your rig or how heavy your camera bag is.

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The Matte Box IQ is Irix’s take on a lightweight matte box that uses their magnetic filters

Jan 27, 2023 by John Aldred 1 Comment

Irix has expanded its product base from just lenses once again. After having already branched out into filters, they’ve now announced the new Irix Matte Box IQ. It’s a small, lightweight matte box designed for filmmakers and video shooters to help control light spill on their lenses. It does have one slight drawback for many filmmakers, though, which might be a deal breaker. It’s only designed to work with Irix’s magnetic filters.

If you’re already an Irix shooter and already own a bunch of Irix’s magnetic filters, then this won’t be a problem. But if you’ve been using industry-standard 4×5.65″ glass filters for video work with other matte boxes, then this one probably won’t be for you. At least, not all the time. It still has some great applications as a secondary matte box for a smaller, portable, lightweight camera rig.

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This compact mini matte box is 3D printable at home and holds 4×5.65″ cinema filters

Sep 2, 2022 by John Aldred 1 Comment

There are so many mini matte boxes out there on the market these days that it can be difficult to decide which to get. I mean SmallRig alone makes five different models now. But if you own a 3D printer and have some filament lying around doing nothing, then you can have a go at making this one.

It’s made by Edward Park at Mountain Breeze Studio, the same guy that does those cool retro lens cinema housings. This isn’t the first matte box Edward’s made, but it’s a complete redesign over his original and looks super slick. It also holds both 4×4″ (100x100mm) and 4×5.65″ (100x150mm) square filters – which is more than can be said for some commercial options.

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SmallRig releases yet another matte box system – 5th time lucky?

Jun 30, 2022 by John Aldred Leave a Comment

Regular as clockwork lately, SmallRig has announced yet another new Matte Box. What makes this one different from the SmallRig 3575 Mini Matte Box Lite, the 2660 Lightweight Matte Box, the 3196 Mini Matte Box or the 3680 Mini Matte Box Pro exactly? Well, this one’s modular. It’s the SmallRig 3556 Modular Matte Box, and it comes in a bunch of different kits depending on your needs.

Thread adapters are available to mount it to 67mm, 72mm, 77mm or 82mm lenses as well as the option to mount it to standard 15mm rods. This matte box also offers the ability to drop in the new SmallRig Variable ND Filter Kit that lets you adjust the strength without having to touch the filter itself – you can even motorise it!

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