You can still change lenses while leaving the mattebox attached to the rods, even if it's not a swing away mattebox; I do it all the time with my Polar Pro. You just loosen the knobs and slide it forward a bit on the rails, then swap lenses and move it back in place. It's actually quite convenient! Thanks for the test
But in many situations the built in ND on the FX6 isn't enough. Mark bone for example is using additional ND Filters, he just said in his latest video on exposure
@@dinbali Yeah you can slap a solid ND in front if you're going for that insane wide aperture like f/1.2-1.8 during midday, same goes with these as well.
I was just about to mention this, thanks for doing it already! For my tight budget the Tilta Mirage has won me over as the most bang for buck matte box available at the moment.
What stood out to me, Nisi kept true blacks in my opinion all the other filters put a brown color cast on the blacks. I kind wish you use the bmpcc6k for the footage as that camera needs a IR cut filter and I believe the Komodo doesn't. (Not 100%)
I went with the Wooden Camera Zip Box Pro. The Tilta Mirage is a good deal, but I hate the yellow-greenish color shift. Smallrig also sells a nice mini mattebox.
I just went with the Tilta MB-T12 single 114mm backing for 300 bucks. Clamp on with rail block that can be used as a lens support. Three stages. No proprietary BS. Accepts a rotating polarizer. Diopters. Or if I want a VND I can just use the Rola Pola with a linear polarizer and get 2-6 stops of ND. But i much prefer to use a rola pola with the regular NDs and so I'm not losing the benefits of the CPL. Super happy. I also went with the Nisi IRNDs. they are great!
As an AC I despise the Wooden Camera Zip Box - super hard not to get fingerprints on it, the latch snaps down too hard if your finger slips and risks cracking the filter and as mentioned, it’s very hard to get a filter in and out. Usability is a nightmare and always makes me nervous when using it
Hey Spenser, amazing video! I have the wooden camera mattebox and one way to make your life easier to use filters with this is to put some paper/gaffe tape at the corner of the 4x5.65 filter so you can quickly grab it and change filters!
On the Tilta Mirage, you can use whatever 4x filter you want to. You are not locked into just using the fax filters. Hell you can even use the 4x filters with the fax filters.
Hey @Spenser, you will have a completely different experience with Firecrest, Tokina, or True ND filters. Heaps of variation in how ND filters cut/change the light. I own Tokina NDs and have been really happy with them.
SmallRig gives the best bang of buck and pretty versatile too. I always like the option to screw on circular filters and they are also compatible with common 4"x4" and 4"x4.56" filter.
If you work with primes.. then the Wooden is the best. If you shoot smaller like on an FX3 with a stay put zoom like the 24-70 GM II, then the Mirage is the best. Imho.
I do have the Polar Pro and really like their filters. Although agree it’s a shame we are locked into that system. Will other filters slide into the polar pro or are they completely a different size? Thanks
Kinda surprised you chose to compare the Tilta mini that only holds one filter without the convenient holder vs the SmallRig version that is just as light weight but can hold up to 3, more easily to remove and replace and also has a much easier option for grabbing and removing and replacing circular ND filters within the same box.
Just curious but isn't there an IR cut filter you can mount in your camera, which mounts over your sensor, I think Rawlite makes them, that way you eliminate any IR contamination. And then just worry about which ND filter works best for your set up?
@@spensersakurai But the main purpose of an IR cut filter is to eliminate colour shifting in the red spectrum. It makes your blacks truer, and reduces work flow when you colour correct your video edits. Or am I missing something you've not mentioned in the video?
Mattebox PSA: I ended up really disliking my Sachtler Ace mattebox over the years, considering it uses a very clunky tray system. The way the trays lock almost always result in uneven orientations. Half of the time my filters are shaking in the mattebox.
The way I see it, is that the best one, is actually under promoted and thus under represented. The Smallrig Startrail is by far the best MBox solution out there for fast safe pro use. The Tilta is way too accessory rich and fiddly.
Thanks for the test, to me the NISI looks like the color is off. I am eyeing the Title Mirage at th moment and seems to be the Best Buy. I would love to know how the sky looks with the polarizer and wider angle lens.. Does it Blotch the sky in the middle? or is the whole frame and sky polarized?? Thanks!
To fix the discoloration would you just white balance out of it? (I’m only halfway through but I didn’t want to forget this question if it does come up later)
@@spensersakurai White balancing in post is completely fine when you record for example in 12bit cDNG with like the Sigma fp. You have the full range unlocked without affecting image quality, but I agree. On some cameras it can cause issues if the offset is too far.
proprietary system for 350 usd , free system 400 usd per filter. also on the mirage you can put regular 4/56 filters, the point of vaxis is to make a free expensive system cheaaap, it s the good type of proprietary i guess. never possible 20 years ago for the money
Hey Spenser amazing review! got one question, the meike ff primes have 82mm inner threads right? i believe the tilta mirage comes with an adapter for 82mm is there a way you can test if it works with the meike and report back please? thanks in advance! and enjoy your holidays!
@@spensersakurai yeh i understand what you mean, im transitioning from photo lenses to the meikes ff primes to go with my bmpcc6k similar setup to urs! ur comparison video of the lenses was amazing!
You can still change lenses while leaving the mattebox attached to the rods, even if it's not a swing away mattebox; I do it all the time with my Polar Pro. You just loosen the knobs and slide it forward a bit on the rails, then swap lenses and move it back in place. It's actually quite convenient! Thanks for the test
Every day I get another inch closer to buying the Sony FX6. That built-in VND is just so nice and saves so much trouble.
I keep thinking this too. Red is a nice brand name but the fx6 has so much utility
@@dschapin so Red is just a nice brand name?
But in many situations the built in ND on the FX6 isn't enough. Mark bone for example is using additional ND Filters, he just said in his latest video on exposure
@@dinbali Yeah you can slap a solid ND in front if you're going for that insane wide aperture like f/1.2-1.8 during midday, same goes with these as well.
I own the FS5M2 and the VND is gold. I’ve never had an issue after 3 years of run and gun where I needed more ND.
You can mount a 4 x 5s on the Tilta Mirage plus they sell additional stackable 4 x 5 trays.
Oh nice. Thanks for the info
I was just about to mention this, thanks for doing it already! For my tight budget the Tilta Mirage has won me over as the most bang for buck matte box available at the moment.
You can actually mount 1 in the box natively without the trays. I keep a black pro mist in mine with the VND
What stood out to me, Nisi kept true blacks in my opinion all the other filters put a brown color cast on the blacks. I kind wish you use the bmpcc6k for the footage as that camera needs a IR cut filter and I believe the Komodo doesn't. (Not 100%)
I went with the Wooden Camera Zip Box Pro. The Tilta Mirage is a good deal, but I hate the yellow-greenish color shift. Smallrig also sells a nice mini mattebox.
Nobody is talking about the Nisi C5.
I just went with the Tilta MB-T12 single 114mm backing for 300 bucks. Clamp on with rail block that can be used as a lens support. Three stages. No proprietary BS. Accepts a rotating polarizer. Diopters. Or if I want a VND I can just use the Rola Pola with a linear polarizer and get 2-6 stops of ND. But i much prefer to use a rola pola with the regular NDs and so I'm not losing the benefits of the CPL. Super happy. I also went with the Nisi IRNDs. they are great!
As an AC I despise the Wooden Camera Zip Box - super hard not to get fingerprints on it, the latch snaps down too hard if your finger slips and risks cracking the filter and as mentioned, it’s very hard to get a filter in and out. Usability is a nightmare and always makes me nervous when using it
Hey Spenser, amazing video! I have the wooden camera mattebox and one way to make your life easier to use filters with this is to put some paper/gaffe tape at the corner of the 4x5.65 filter so you can quickly grab it and change filters!
On the Tilta Mirage, you can use whatever 4x filter you want to. You are not locked into just using the fax filters. Hell you can even use the 4x filters with the fax filters.
Hey @Spenser, you will have a completely different experience with Firecrest, Tokina, or True ND filters. Heaps of variation in how ND filters cut/change the light. I own Tokina NDs and have been really happy with them.
The Tilta Mirage also takes the standard square filters.
SmallRig gives the best bang of buck and pretty versatile too. I always like the option to screw on circular filters and they are also compatible with common 4"x4" and 4"x4.56" filter.
I've got the Wooden matte box as well and love it. I do have the same critique however about how the filters come out.
Give Bright Tangerine a look as well
Would the mini Matte Box Lite made by SmallRig? Which model are you using the pro or the Box Lite?
If you work with primes.. then the Wooden is the best. If you shoot smaller like on an FX3 with a stay put zoom like the 24-70 GM II, then the Mirage is the best. Imho.
can u use the mirage motor for pulling focus? seems so small and nice
I do have the Polar Pro and really like their filters. Although agree it’s a shame we are locked into that system.
Will other filters slide into the polar pro or are they completely a different size?
Thanks
Well they just dont come with blank trays for other filters. Maybe they sell those. Idk.
Kinda surprised you chose to compare the Tilta mini that only holds one filter without the convenient holder vs the SmallRig version that is just as light weight but can hold up to 3, more easily to remove and replace and also has a much easier option for grabbing and removing and replacing circular ND filters within the same box.
I already had the mini on hand
The Tilta can be expanded to hold something like 8+ filters.
Just curious but isn't there an IR cut filter you can mount in your camera, which mounts over your sensor, I think Rawlite makes them, that way you eliminate any IR contamination. And then just worry about which ND filter works best for your set up?
Ir cut is one thing. Nds are another thing and color shifts are almost always a thing. 😔
@@spensersakurai But the main purpose of an IR cut filter is to eliminate colour shifting in the red spectrum. It makes your blacks truer, and reduces work flow when you colour correct your video edits. Or am I missing something you've not mentioned in the video?
Mattebox PSA: I ended up really disliking my Sachtler Ace mattebox over the years, considering it uses a very clunky tray system. The way the trays lock almost always result in uneven orientations. Half of the time my filters are shaking in the mattebox.
Not sure if you were planning on it but I would love to see you break down some RXTX systems for the Komodo. Loved you video as always :)
The way I see it, is that the best one, is actually under promoted and thus under represented. The Smallrig Startrail is by far the best MBox solution out there for fast safe pro use. The Tilta is way too accessory rich and fiddly.
Thanks for the test, to me the NISI looks like the color is off. I am eyeing the Title Mirage at th moment and seems to be the Best Buy. I would love to know how the sky looks with the polarizer and wider angle lens.. Does it Blotch the sky in the middle? or is the whole frame and sky polarized?? Thanks!
To fix the discoloration would you just white balance out of it? (I’m only halfway through but I didn’t want to forget this question if it does come up later)
I like the idea of the wing out feature…but I also like Murphy beds
Oh! You did answer my question towards the end…(I’m just kind of live commenting)
Yeah i think white balancing later is extremely impractical
@@spensersakurai White balancing in post is completely fine when you record for example in 12bit cDNG with like the Sigma fp. You have the full range unlocked without affecting image quality, but I agree. On some cameras it can cause issues if the offset is too far.
Tilta MB-T12 is the best overall budget option.
100% agree - best option on the market for the price
too heavy, I run with a Misfit Atom and then when I need something more flexible I rent the Misfit Kick
proprietary system for 350 usd , free system 400 usd per filter. also on the mirage you can put regular 4/56 filters, the point of vaxis is to make a free expensive system cheaaap, it s the good type of proprietary i guess. never possible 20 years ago for the money
Hey Spenser amazing review! got one question, the meike ff primes have 82mm inner threads right? i believe the tilta mirage comes with an adapter for 82mm is there a way you can test if it works with the meike and report back please? thanks in advance! and enjoy your holidays!
I think so. My issue with that is having to swing the adapter plate every time. If i have cinema lenses i want them to just work seamlessly ya know?
@@spensersakurai yeh i understand what you mean, im transitioning from photo lenses to the meikes ff primes to go with my bmpcc6k similar setup to urs! ur comparison video of the lenses was amazing!
Great video! That's for sharing
Поэтому ниси сейчас делают FS ND.
Avoiding Polar Pro like the plague for making everything proprietary and incompatible with other brands. Need freedom to use whatever filters I like.
I get annoyed with the branding on video gear. It’s so loud and dominating like the “Wooden Camera” logo taking up most of the front.
polar pro looks the worst by far and it definitely doesnt help that its proprietary