Protec Matte Box

Has anyone used the new Protec clip-on 4x4 matte box?

I have one to try out and it seems quite nice as well as reasonably priced.

I'm also trying out the Century/Schneider rotating Pola which has a small wheel built into the 4x4 frame. It rotates the round Pola within the square frame.

Anyone have any experience with them?

Thanks.

Jim Sofranko
NY/DP

Jim Sofranko wrote:

> Has anyone used the new Protec clip-on 4x4 matte box?

Can't find it on the web -- got a URL, Jim?

Jeff "could use a small cheap matte box" Kreines

>Can't find it on the web -- got a URL, Jim?

Here's the clip-on 4x4 matte box :

http://www.creativevideo.co.uk/gimme/

storereframe.php?view=item&item=tecpro_tpmbbf

The matte box has no rotating stage so here's the rotating 4x4 polarizer :

http://www.centuryoptics.com/products/filters/polarizers/rotating.htm

I'm looking at the 2 stage with the French flag setup and the Pola. The matte box has rings that can be purchased separately to adapt up to 85mm for most DV cameras.

No affiliation with anybody.

Jim Sofranko
NY/DP

That looks like the same mattebox as the Image2000, or at least very similar. For that price the Vocas (sold in the US by Century Precision Optics with their own nameplate) with its clever interior eyebrows looks more appealing to me.

I've used the Polas in the square trays with the gear a few times and they work fine. They're actually easier and quicker to use then fumbling with a circular tray in many matteboxes. Century makes then but I've seen it from others as well in various sizes.

Mitch Gross
NYC DP

>I'm also trying out the Century/Schneider rotating Pola which has a >small wheel built into the 4x4 frame. It rotates the round Pola within the >square frame. Anyone have any experience with them?

I too have had my eye on that one. Seems like a great concept. I don't like having to fumble with the clamp of a clip on matte box in order keep the shade aligned.

Alan A. Hereford

Cinematographer