matt boxes and donuts

[Matteo Cocco]

i´ve seen on camera catalogues, there are many different kind of matt boxes for arri cameras.........mb14, mb15, mb16...... what´s actually the difference between them? and when to use one or another? is there one suiting all lenses? (the same question for donuts)

 

THANKS FOR YOUR ANSWERS:

GIGI

[Mitch Gross]

Different lenses, different sizes, different number of filter trays, some for lightweight rods, some for sliding baseplates, etc., etc.

[Matt Kelly]

The differences are in sizes of the filter holding stages. The most common are MB-18 (4x5") and MB-14 (6x6"). The MB series are a swing-away style, while the LMB (Lightweight Matte Box) clip on to the front of your lens (used mostly for steadicam/handheld). Matte-boxes are generally lens agnostic, but keeping light from getting in the back of them depends on the type of 138mm insert/step down ring or bellows you get for your lens set.

 

A donut is either an alternative to this, or a safety precaution used always. Donuts come in all sizes to match the various size of lens front diameters. You may change donuts often with Panavision superspeeds, but only use one for a set of Cooke S4's. Regardless, your zoom will probably have its own. Hope that helps!