Shoot35 CINEbox review

When Shoot35 got in touch asking if I’d like to have a look at their new matte box I knew I was going to be in for a treat. Just like the CINEfocus I reviewed a couple of years back the new CINEbox looked very interesting and Shoot35 always put in a lot of effort in producing amazing quality gear at really competitive prices.

Unboxing

Shoot35 put in a lot of effort when it comes to presentation so when the following box turned up I decided to save it until I could set up some strobes and share the experience with you.

What’s in the case?

So once past all of the nice packaging you eventually discover a metal case. Open up the case and the CINEbox presents itself along with the top and side flags all packed in pick n pluck foam. The flags are an optional extra so will only be included if ordered.  Also included is a fully printed instruction manual and a single lens adapter ring sized to your requirements.

Obviously you can order more lens adapter rings etc as required, see below for prices. One other point of interest is that you can specify either black or red hardware (thumbscrews etc) and black or red filter trays. This one is specced with red hardware and one of each colour of filter trays as well as the optional flag set.

Matte-box

The front of the matte-box features a removable letterbox shaped matte-plate that attaches magnetically and  further limits light spill. So even without the flags you still have some control over light coming in to the matte-box.

Fitting the flags

The optional side and top flags are attached with a thumbscrew locking system. One thing I like about the thumbscrews that Shoot35 have used is that they lock in both directions so you can’t loosen them to the point that they fall out.

With the flags fitted you can start to see just how much there is to this matte-box. The top flag is a traditional shape allowing the side flags to be opened out at various angles. The side flags have an adjustable top part allowing you to close up any gaps to further reduce any chance of sunlight or other light sources shining on the lens.

Mounting and setup

For the purposes of this review Shoot35 also supplied one of their DSLR camera rod / mount systems. When setting up the matte-box it’s important to get the camera at the correct height so that the lens lines up with the bellows in the matte box. Shoot35’s DSLR mount uses metal plates and shims which are stacked under the quick release mount to achieve the correct height.

Lens adapter rings

The next job is to fit the lens attachment rings to the lenses. These are all metal and come in multiple sizes available to suit most lens thread sizes.

One really nice thing about the adapter rings that Shoot35 supply is that they also have a forward thread that matches the size of the lens thread allowing you to refit your lens caps whilst leaving the adapters in place. Shoot35 also sent some of their new flexi lens gears for the review so I also attached those to my lenses, in this case the Canon 50mm and 24mm L series primes.

The lens adapters allow the lenses to snap into the bellows part of the matte box via three small sprung ball bearings that locate in the groove that runs around the outer edge of the adapters. The connection between the bellows and the lens works really well, it grips enough to allow you to make adjustments to the position of the matte-box without the two separating yet also makes it very easy to pull them apart when required.

Swing-away system

With the matte-box lined up and locked into position on the rods it’s then possible to start using the swing-away system. Using the swing-away hinge is as simple as loosening a single locking key, popping the bellows off of the lens adapter and swinging the box away to the side.

Although simple to use there’s a lot of adjustability built into the hinge system. You can easily extended the whole assembly forwards and backwards using a short pair of rods on the side of the unit which have their own locking key. for larger adjustments for long lenses etc the clamp on the mounting rods would need be adjusted as required but it’s nice having some adjustment without needed to do that. Theres also a bunch of small allen key adjusters that allow you to fine tune the angles of everything although I didn’t have to touch those as the unit I reviewed seemed perfectly setup out of the box.

Filter trays

The CINEbox features two 4×4 filter trays, both of which can be rotated individually as required. The filters are fitted into the holders and held in place by spring loaded clamps at the top of the filter holders. I found the filter holders quite stiff in operation when rotating them although that’s something that may be due to the unit being new and would probably become easier with use.

Each filter tray has a silver knurled locking screw for locking the filter tray into place in the holder and a red locking screw for locking the rotation. As mentioned earlier you can specify either black or red filter trays, I like to have on of each so that I know where my polariser is if I’m using one.

In use

In the short time I’ve had so far with the CINEbox I’ve found it really good to work with. It’s certainly a step up from the Genus matte-box I’ve been using previously, both in terms of functionality and in size. The swing -away system works really well making lens swaps a lot more practical and the addition of side flags makes and the front matte choker it a lot more flexible when it comes to controlling light.

I’ve also been trying the CINEbox out on my EX1 and it works a treat on that as well. As with most matte-boxes the EX1’s LCD has to be extended in order to allow the filter trays to rotate but it is possible to close it with the CINEbox fitted by rotating the trays slightly first making it easier to transport assembled.

Comparisons

A lot of people are bound to ask how it stacks up against the similarly priced Genus wide angle matte box that I’ve been using previously. I have to say that the CINEbox is offering a lot more than the Genus product and outperforms it in a lot of areas. The Genus product does benefit in that’s it’s small and very light weight which could be an advantage at times but bang for buck the CINEbox gives you a lot more for your money.

The Genus matte-box has some quite large gaps between the filter holders and the matte-box itself which can easily let the sun shine through on to your lens if shooting in daylight. I’ve always found that to be a big oversight considering the matte-box’s main job is to keep the lens nicely shaded. The CINEbox on the other hand is a lot better in this respect with the filter trays fitting very snuggly.

I’ve included a few photo’s below to show you the two systems side by side.

Pricing & summary

The Shoot35 CINEbox is being launched at an introductory price of £399 for the first batch, after that it will be retailing for £449. These prices include one lens attachment ring but the flags are an additional purchase at £79 for the set (top & sides). Prices do not include VAT.

Additional lens attachment rings are going to cost you £5 each or less if you buy 3 or more.

In summary I really like the way the CINEbox attaches to lenses and being able to leave the lens caps on the lenses whilst they have the adapter rings fitted is simple addition but a big attraction. The design and performance of the swing-away system is excellent and the whole unit feels very professional.

I’m really impressed with the Shoot35 CINEbox and highly recommend you check it out it if you’re in the market for a matte-box.

For more information about the Shoot35 CINEbox visit www.shoot35.com

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15 Responses

  1. Otso Reunanen says:

    Hi Paul,

    I bought the mattebox partly based on your review, which is very well made and very convincing. It´s a nice looking mattebox, with very good features, but…

    The screws are so badly fitted, that they are constantly dropping off by themselves (when I take the camera out of the car, I have to collect all the missing screws from the cameraholder and attach them back to the mattebox… and the same when shooting!). Some of the metals are of very bad quality. For example the screw that tightens the french flag broke off on the first day of shooting. One of the magnets on the screen just crumbled by itself after two days of shooting. And the swing away mechanism can not be precisely adjusted to a 0 degree angle with your lens or at least it doesn´t stay that way. And the whole swing away mechanism bent on the second day, because of the bad fitting and bad metal quality.

    The build quality is obviously and undeniably so bad, that I would not dare to recommend this piece of ***t product to anyone. But I am curious, Paul Joy, after these three years after making the review, are you still impressed with your mattebox? Could they have changed the factory in china? What´s going on?

    Please publicize this PJ, your collagues deserve to know.

    Best regards,

    Otso Reunanen

    • Paul Joy says:

      Hi Otso. Reading about your experiences it’s hard to imagine you are talking about the same product. Whilst I do not use mine very often I certainly haven’t experienced any of the difficulties you list. Have you tried contacting Shoot35?

      • Otso Reunanen says:

        Hi Paul Joy and thanks for your answer. I contacted the seller and they praise the quality as you do. But according to their policy, I´m too late to get refunded. I have not contacted shoot35, but then again, what´s the use? I rather spend my time working to buy a decent mattebox.

        best,

        Otso

  2. Richard says:

    HI,

    I have just purchased the cineMateBox, AND I have read your superb review, but I am having some difficulties with the side flags, the top flag was easy to put on, but the side two flags seem to be difficult to put on, I tried putting them but everything I have done so far I am not successful, also, I have 24 – 105, 24 -70, 70-200mm lenses 77mm ring size, I ordered the ring attachment lens for 77mm lens ring to fit my lenses mentioned here, but these ring attachment do not fit to my lenses, they are small, therefore I can fit my lens in the rubber bellows, so couple questions I would need help from you:
    1. The side flags, do you attach them like the top or these are going in the larger opening in contrast of the top flag, I have tried everything I can’t seem to attach these; could you please email me a short video if you have one showing how to attach these two side rings.

    2. The lens attachment ring, what size would fit my lenses 77mm, 58mm and 85mm?

    Thank you so very much Paul for your help.

    Cheers

    Richard

    • Paul Joy says:

      Hi Richard. I’m not really sure what you mean about the side flags as they mount in the same way as the top flag which is that they push in to the slots in the matte box and are then held in place when the thumb screws are tightened. If you’re having problems then I’d recommend getting in touch with Shoot35 as maybe you have a defective product.

      With regards to the lens rings, you should order the sizes that match your lenses, so 77, 58 & 85mm.

      Best regards

      Paul

  3. Pieter van Hofwegen says:

    The correct height: It’s also possible to adjust the correct height. You must loosen some screws at the swing away system. (11mm down and 11mm up)

  4. Francois Bordez says:

    Thanks for your great an very informative review! I was looking at O’Connor Obox or RedRock Micro options but this one seems more interesting than the O’Connor for the Swing Away feature and it seems much lighter than the RedRock. It is also quite cheaper than the other two. I might just get one.

  5. Steve Riley says:

    Thanks for the great review and pics.Would I use the same spacers to rise the camera on a D7000? Also my primes are 52mm and 72mm.What suggestions for attaching the 52s to the bellows as all the rings are to big.Thanks

  6. Przemek Fik says:

    Does 22mm lens vignette with this MateBox?

  7. Cuss says:

    Incredible review, exactly what was needed to clear up some questions. Looking forward to the next batch being released this month at Shoot35!

    M

  8. Sal Romello Barcena says:

    i would like to say that i really needed to know everything you reviewed about this matte box now i can rest assured that all my needs will be met with this product i am a film maker from Chicago and with a city like this you have to be able to get professional shots on the go and from what i hear its lighter than most other rigs on the market and durable. im putting up a link to my feature fallen souls for you to peruse hope you all enjoy.. http://vimeo.com/14370162

  9. Pete Burns says:

    Cinebox arrive this afternoon and I’m blown away by the build quality.
    How can they produce these for this price; it’s extraordinary.

    I needed a matte box for my AF-101 and I’m really glad that I opted for a CineBox. I was all set to go to next weeks trade show to look specifically at matte boxes but no need to now.
    It’s also uncanny, but when I attached it to the bars of my Zacuto universal plate, the box centred up perfectly against my CP2 lens that was attached to the AF-101.

    Those guys should be really proud of what you have produced.
    What a Product, what a Service, what a Contribution to Film Makers, what a Sound Bite !

  10. Tyler says:

    Just ordered mine from the first batch, thanks for the solid review. Interested to see how it will mesh with the Easom cage.

  11. Shawn says:

    As always, great review. Learn more about products here in five minutes than hours of Internet searching. Thanks!!

  12. Joaquim Bel says:

    Well that’s a superb review!!

    Everything I wanted to know about it it’s clearly explained in here.

    Thanks Paul!

    J.

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