Inexpensive Mattebox

**drapeama** · 2012 April 13th, 19:29

Just wanted to share: a 175$ complete MatteBox, as it seems like a nice item for the price, and the seller is one that I vouch for:

Now I don't know about the quality of the whole thing, but it certainly looks good (for the price). I might even try to convince Charlie to invest in one!
What do you think?

**Lou van Wijhe** · 2012 April 14th, 06:48

Judging from the pics, it does look well made and fully adjustable. I would be interested but the problem for European buyers are shipping costs, import duties and VAT. That makes something that looks affordable often expensive.

Lou

**drapeama** · 2012 April 14th, 07:12

Originally Posted by Lou van Wijhe

Judging from the pics, it does look well made and fully adjustable. I would be interested but the problem for European buyers are shipping costs, import duties and VAT. That makes something that looks affordable often expensive.

1) It looks just as good as many others, for half the price...
2) I get your point. I had to pay 57$ when I ordered my Twoneil that's been shipped via UPS as "customs fees"...Other than this, when I order something that's shipped via regular mail, it rarely cost something.

**Lou van Wijhe** · 2012 April 15th, 05:38

Originally Posted by drapeama

1) It looks just as good as many others, for half the price...
2) I get your point. I had to pay 57$ when I ordered my Twoneil that's been shipped via UPS as "customs fees"...Other than this, when I order something that's shipped via regular mail, it rarely cost something.

I just saw that the unit is shipped from Shanghai, not from the US, which can make a difference in custom fees and VAT when ordered from Europe. Furthermore, $175 is not for the unit as in the pics. Complete with rails, camera plate and tripod plate, it costs $275.

Lou

**drapeama** · 2012 April 15th, 08:39

I understand Lou, but considering a Chroziel mattebox can go up to 900-1000$, I think this one seems like a good compromise.

Also, I've got a reply from the seller about a possible discount on it and got a code for a 5$ reduction (valid for a month) attached.
Another thing that he pointed me out, on his website (not directly from ebay) the price is slightly lower, running at 160$ shipped via regular airmail.
I've just created an account on his website, allowing to pay via Paypal as well, and using the discount code you can get one shipped via regular mail for 155$, which seems like a good deal!
What do you think?

**Daniel Rutter** · 2012 April 15th, 10:26

This guy may get a buyer out of me. One of the many things on my list is a mattebox and rails, as I've not not gotten that far with my gear. Once I make the plunge on my GH2... I'll then get a mattebox

**drapeama** · 2012 April 15th, 10:28

Originally Posted by Daniel Rutter

One of the many things on my list is a mattebox and rails, as I've not not gotten that far with my gear.

The whole kit is more expensive, but you get everything you need when you start from nothing.

**Lou van Wijhe** · 2012 April 15th, 15:52

I remain tempted. I have a WD-H43 wide adapter with a 74.5mm front lens diameter on my HV20/HF M41. This adapter delivers an excellent picture quality but it doesn't have a front lens thread so I use a Canon A1 lens hood on it with a piece of tape to make it fit. This mattebox would be a much more elegant solution.

Lou

**Almohada** · 2012 April 15th, 16:15

Originally Posted by Lou van Wijhe

I remain tempted.

Same here.

**Almohada** · 2012 April 15th, 16:18

Picture 1.jpg

Not much...

**drapeama** · 2012 April 15th, 20:36

Originally Posted by Almohada

Not much...

He has many other items on his ebay store. His website looks quite new, which would explain why there's only two items featured for now.

**Lou van Wijhe** · 2012 April 16th, 04:20

Originally Posted by drapeama

He has many other items on his ebay store. His website looks quite new, which would explain why there's only two items featured for now.

R.J. (Rong Jin) mailed me as follows:

...and just let you know that I just started my own web site... before I used ebay for all the sales.. (but they intend to put more and more charges on us :-)

I shall put more items on my own site soon... and with, surely, marked-down price than with ebay

On Ebay he has 37 pages full of gear.

Lou

P.S. Drapeama: Thanks for drawing attention to this!

**Almohada** · 2012 April 16th, 05:39

Nice of him to offer products on his dedicated site to get us better prices. Next time I'm shopping for gear I'll check it out.

**drapeama** · 2012 April 16th, 14:31

Originally Posted by Lou van Wijhe

P.S. Drapeama: Thanks for drawing attention to this!

No Problems! I'm always looking for a good deal: quality vs price. So I thought it'd be legit to offer this to others as well.

Originally Posted by Almohada

Nice of him to offer products on his dedicated site to get us better prices. Next time I'm shopping for gear I'll check it out.

Yep, really nice. I'll check if there's anything else I could make to put even more attention on it, and by the way, getting an even better price for it.
Stay tuned.

**Lou van Wijhe** · 2012 April 19th, 09:50

I took the plunge and ordered the complete rig directly from his web-shop. I'll communicate my experiences once I have received and used it.

Lou

**drapeama** · 2012 April 19th, 11:05

Originally Posted by Lou van Wijhe

I took the plunge and ordered the complete rig directly from his web-shop. I'll communicate my experiences once I have received and used it.

That's nice! I hope (I'm quite confident though) that it'll worth the price paid. I'll definitively wait on your review!

**homestar_kevin** · 2012 April 19th, 13:34

excited to see your review on it Lou,

It's a great price for everything, this might have to go on my cavision rails...

**drapeama** · 2012 April 19th, 16:05

Originally Posted by homestar_kevin

excited to see your review on it Lou. It's a great price for everything, this might have to go on my cavision rails...

Just as I do!
I hope I'll be able to get enough money to buy one for my birthday (May 13th...) who knows.
So far I'm glad Lou took the lead and bought one. Hope he won't be the last!

**Lou van Wijhe** · 2012 April 19th, 16:12

The money is no problem. I told the kids I'll deduct it from the inheritance.

Lou

**drapeama** · 2012 April 20th, 14:32

Just to add, as it's from the same seller:
RJ FollowFocus

Which seems to worth every cents spent on it.

**Lou van Wijhe** · 2012 April 23rd, 05:53

I received the rig this morning and it is top quality for a very moderate price.

IMG_0738.jpg

I chose "expedite shipping" (at $19 more) and it arrived, very well packed, in Holland from Shanghai in 6 days. As soon as I have checked it out and aligned my camera on it, I'll come back to the subject.

Lou

**homestar_kevin** · 2012 April 23rd, 11:15

that does look great!

look forward to hearing more about fit.

**drapeama** · 2012 April 23rd, 17:27

Originally Posted by homestar_kevin

that does look great!
look forward to hearing more about fit.

Indeed! I can't wait to get a review of it!
So far, the only thing that's bugging me would be dealing with the 4x4 filters: some other model got bad reviews about the filters being loose in the holders.

**Lou van Wijhe** · 2012 April 23rd, 18:15

I had a ND8 4x4 filter. If only I would know where I put it...

Lou

**Almohada** · 2012 April 23rd, 20:31

That looks sweet!!!! I want one!!! But I can't afford it!! Damn!

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