Need help with using a modern matte box with my Arri SR2 and vintage zoom lens setup

[Moon McCartney]

Hi all,

Been a long time lurker but finally registered an account. My recently acquired SR2 is finally back from servicing with Andree Martin/AM Camera. Now that I have the camera back, I'm finalizing my setup. I'm currently struggling with choosing a modern matte box that will work with my setup. 

My primary lens (which came with the kit) is a vintage Zeiss Vario Sonnar 10-100 f1.8 t2 zoom lens. I think it is a mark 1, but not sure. I'm also not sure if the lens diameter is 80 or 87mm. It is a telescoping lens, so the lens changes sizes when adjusting the focus. From my understanding, a rubber bellows is needed on the rear of matte box to "move" with the lens as focus changes to prevent unwanted light leaks and reflections. 

The kit came with a Arri 4x4 studio 15mm matte box. However, this seems way too big for my needs. I'm looking for a modern, lightweight matte box solution (think SmallRig/Tilta/Wooden) that can work with the telescoping Zoom and attach to 15mm LWS rods. I spoke with DuAll Camera and they offered a Cinetech 3 stage 4x5 matte that comes with rear rubber bellows. However, they said it's a little bigger than the studio matte box that came with my kit. I want something as small as possible and lightweight so it can fit in my main Pelican case, as well as not make my setup huge and heavy. 

I've attached a photo of my lens and two bellows/donuts that came with the kit. Can I use any of the following matte boxes with the bellows I have to ensure focus adjustments/telescoping don't mess with anything? Du All also said to only use rod supported boxes, as clip ons will make focus stiff. 

• Option 1 - Tilta t04 4x4 lightweight mattebox
• Option 2 - Tilta mbt12 matte box
• Option 3 - Wooden Camera UMB-1 mattebox
• Option 3 -  SmallRig Star trail lightweight matte box

I would look on the used market for deals on these. Thanks everyone for sharing your knowledge and keeping film alive! I look forward to the discussion. 

Cheers,
Moon

[Gautam Valluri]

I've recently used an Abracam Clipone mattebox on a Zeiss 11-110mm/T2.2 + Arri SR2, it fit very well.

[Uli Meyer]

Clip-on matte boxes will eventually wear out your focus threads. 15mm mounting is the way to go. You will need a rubber donut for the zoom lens but I don't think the one you have will fit any of the options you mention.

Smallrig offers a silicon donut for theirs and Wooden Camera zip box pro with 15mm swing away support offers a cloth one.

I'm using an ARRI LMB-25 with an LMB 4x5 tilt and flex adapter and LMB lightweight rod adapter for 15mm rods for my vintage lenses.

 

[Moon McCartney]

Hi @Uli Meyer, I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to reply and help me out! 🙂

I now have a better understanding of what to purchase for a modern matte box solution. Need a rubber bellows/donut that can accommodate the 80mm lens diameter on one end and fit the matte box rear opening on the other side - all while being able to allow the lens to comfortable "extend" about an inch when the focus changes. For anyone in the future looking at this thread, Bright Tangerine has their Black Hole donut for this purpose. Chrosziel also has a flexible donut for their matte boxes. 

Uli, how do you like the ARRI LMB-25? Honestly, something like that is exactly what I'm looking for. But I'll probably settle for other cheaper alternatives at this time. 

Thanks again, I always see your FB posts on the Arri Anonymous page. You are doing a great service by sharing your knowledge with the community and next generation of filmmakers. All the best and keep shooting film! 😁