OConnor O-BOX WM Set (15mm LWS)

Comments about OConnor O-BOX WM Set (15mm LWS):

OK, so, there's a story here. I get the o-box, which if you read online forums is really popular in Red setups, and among many dps and senior folks, because I was tired of dragging the redrock micromattebox setup (have the case and everything!) all over the world on shoots with me. I wanted something well built, smaller, and reasonably solid.The o-box is everything I wanted. There are a few design areas I think could be improved (hollow screws, which according to some are only really a problem if you're trying to make an adjustment with the extensions, and the side (additional item) are ok (not great). However, if you don't want to carry a tank, but do want something build like one (and don't need swing away), this is the best I've come across. Support is excellent (calls returned, questions answered), and the ability to use the box as a grip for some shots (confidently!) is something else.If you're shooting with lenses like the Zeiss cp.2 or Canon lenses, I recommend the following setup:http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/666189-REG/Chrosziel_AC_450_22_AC_450_22_Flex_Ring_Flexible_Step_Down. Took me a while to figure that out, so I hope it helps someone else.

Comments about OConnor O-BOX WM Set (15mm LWS):

I use this matte box everyday on set with F3 camera with 150-110 ring and cine optics. It works great. This is the best matte box which i used. Only one bad thing happen to me - one of those tiny knobs which hold top flag was broken during tightening - and it was empty inside, I mean those knobs are not solid metal, but tubes with a thread - this is not very good. Also i cant find spare parts anywhere to order so i have to email to O'Connor directly.

Comments about OConnor O-BOX WM Set (15mm LWS):

Very tough- not as refined as an arri but not nearly as expensive. Filter frames have gaps, tiny lock knobs, and mostly plastic. Adapters have weird sizes but 150mm back allows me to use this with a big 35mm zoom such as a cooke 20-100 rather than a 6x6. A little heavy but very rugged compared to a flimsy feeling chrosziel or others

Comments about OConnor O-BOX WM Set (15mm LWS):

I use this with my Red Scarlet and my DSLR's and it works great on wide angle shots and handheld. It is strong and durable and the cheese plate on the top is a great addition.

Comments about OConnor O-BOX WM Set (15mm LWS):

I can't imagine a matte box being much better. It's light, compact, and very strong. I love the the 2nd stage filter rotates and I also love the cheese stick at the top front of the matte box. This is brilliant because I like mounting the LCD on it. Much better distance for my eyes. I have not attached the O-grips to it yet but I plan to because this matte box is never coming off my camera setup, even as a handheld rig.

Comments about OConnor O-BOX WM Set (15mm LWS):

I have waited on purchasing a matte box for some time as my previous cameras were either camcorders with built in neutral density filters and sunshades on a fixed lens (such as the HPX170) or DSLRs for which I used screw-in filters. Now, having purchased a Red Scarlet-X and a set of Red Pro Primes, a matte box and some nice filters seemed less like a luxury and more like essential tools. I cannot believe that I waited this long. Wow. What a pleasure it is to have proper filter trays (it is so much more convenient to swap them in and out than screw-on filters) and how easy it is to block out flares where desired.

Before purchasing, I had previously used matte boxes in film school on 16mm and 35mm cameras and had used them on other people's DSLRs on small projects. I'd just always assumed that there were better places to invest money for the cameras that I was using. I think that was a mistake on my part.

With all of that laid out on the table I have to say that the build quality of this particular matte box is phenominal. It feels very durable and user friendly and the filter trays slide in and out very nicely on a spring-loaded mechanism. The mechanism itself feels like something which will last as long as you're not treating it like something that you are actively trying to break. It's also lovely that OConnor generously supplies two filter trays for both 4"x4" filters and 4"x5.65" filters. The trays feel as well built as the rest of the O-Box.

The top flag and optional bottom flag are very nice as well, but I do have one not insignificant complaint about this MB: the side flags. It's not that the side flags themselves are poorly made. Indeed, they feel as if they are made with the same care and attention to detail as the top/bottom flags. The issue is with the O-Box WM Side Flag Bracket Set (available separately). Installation of these brackets doesn't feel any more difficult than it needs to be, but they just don't offer the range of motion that I'd like to see and making adjustments is a pain. The whole process feels stiff and imprecise. I've heard the same complaint from others. As side flags are a very useful part of what makes a matte box a powerful filmmaking tool I have to dock a full star from this product's score. This may seem unfair, but as side flags are very important to some people I think it makes sense. It's a shame as everything else about the O-Box is so outstanding. I hope that OConnor decides to offer some new, better brackets in the future.

For now I can heartily recommend this product to anyone who does not rely on side flags a great deal.

Comments about OConnor O-BOX WM Set (15mm LWS):

To sum up, great Mattebox !
I use it on all my shoots with any kind of cameras and setups.
Plus it's really solid and well built as I could check it the hard way when an assistant camera let the camera fall down from a tripod. Not a sratch on the mattebox nor the camera/lense (an ND filter wasn't so lucky tough).
The only small downside are the knobs that hold the filter trays which are a bit small and hard to get.
But once you're used to that there's no major drawbacks...

Comments about OConnor O-BOX WM Set (15mm LWS):

great and simple matte box. I really like the way it attaches to 80mm for camera lenses and 114 for PL primes. Very intuitive.

Comments about OConnor O-BOX WM Set (15mm LWS):

Matte boxes tend to be one of those things that are necessary but not all that glamorous. An expense tacked onto a camera purchase. Well, the O-box is one that looks good, functions very well, and doesn't kill the wallet. In fact, pound for pound this guy packs quite the punch.

It's lightweight, yet very durable. It has 2 stages that can take 4x4 or 4x5.65 filter frames (included). One of those stages rotates. If you buy the bellows you can also add a 138mm round. So essentially you could then add 3 filters in total. It also has mounting points for adding O-grips and various other hardware. By adding a bridge you can turn it from 15mm LW to 19mm.

Personally I only use it on rails and it has been solid. It has worked well with still lenses too. I used bellows and reduction rings, as well as a Chroziel Flex ring to attach to my 80mm fronts on the still lenses. This works great, even with lenses that telescope a little when focusing.

All in all, I'm very happy with this purchase.

Comments about OConnor O-BOX WM Set (15mm LWS):

small, strong, and works perfectly with my Zacuto baseplate and Panasonic AF100. had the RedRock Matte Box before and it was great, but a little bit more bulky, due to the swing away feature. although the swing away feature was cool, the extra pieces necessary to do so interfered with my dual follow focus' set up. if you want sturdy, either are good and the RR allows more convenient access, but the OConnor O-Box has a smaller footprint. plus i already have mounted other things to the matte box itself due to it's screw mount versatility.

Comments about OConnor O-BOX WM Set (15mm LWS):

For the price, this is a no-brainer, especially for the quality. Spend the extra $100 on this (over Red Rock, etc). You won't regret it.

Comments about OConnor O-BOX WM Set (15mm LWS):

I don't have a lot of experience with matte boxes (this is my first one) but from what I can tell this one is very good quality. Feels sturdy and has a nice place for attachments on top. It's easy to pull the filters out or rotate them. It also comes with a french flag which is nice.

Comments about OConnor O-BOX WM Set (15mm LWS):

You will not find a more bulletproof, versatile matte box at this price point ANYWHERE else. I can use it on a DSLR, Red, or an Alexa and it will work with many of the larger lenses. The modularity and endless ways you can rig accessories to it make it a product you can grow with and take from camera to camera. It includes many accessories that aren't standard with others, such as 4 filter trays (2 each 4x4 and 4x5.65), eyebrow and a tapped cheese stick. For these reasons, and the fact you can get different-sized rod brackets to adapt to any 15 or 19mm rod systems, I would advise anyone to take this one over a comparable Chrosziel or Arri if this size is what you're looking for.

I honestly don't know how they do it for this price. OConnor is one of the few true 5-star production support outfits and this is no exception!

Comments about OConnor O-BOX WM Set (15mm LWS):

The photo on B&H does not do this mattebox justice. We wuld usually turn to brands such as Arri or Chrosiel for a mattebox but decided to give Oconnors new offering a shot. This box has everything you would expect from a top of the line mattebox and more. the construction is solid, light weight and perfect for our uses. the inclusion of the french flag is a huge bonus as well.

Comments about OConnor O-BOX WM Set (15mm LWS):

This is a great little mattebox. Very solid build, as I like to operate handheld holding onto the mattebox. Plenty of mounting options for accessories such as cinetape, monitors, lights.

One drawback is that the knobs for holding in or releasing the filter trays are hard to get to especially if you have something such as a monitor arm mounted on the left.

Overall great value for a system that does 4x5.6.