Matte boxes and FIZ

Matte boxes, filter trays and follow-focus units for flagging stray light, stacking filters, and driving focus, iris and zoom.

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Matte boxes and FIZ: Tilta Tilta Mirage Pro Matte Box Single Backing Kit (2 Stage) in use
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How to choose a matte box

Filter size and tray count. 4x5.65" is the working standard. Count how many filters you stack at once — a two-stage box holds two trays, and adding a third later means a new box.

Clamp-on or rod-mounted. Clamp-on (SmallRig's Mini Matte Box and Mini Matte Box Pro) attaches to the lens thread, is fast and light, and suits small rigs. Swing-away boxes on 15 mm LWS rods let you change lenses without removing the box.

Rod standard. 15 mm LWS for mirrorless and small cinema rigs, 19 mm studio for heavy builds. Lens supports and follow focus have to match.

Choosing follow focus

Manual or wireless. A manual unit — the mini Follow Focus and mini Follow Focus F40 — is cheaper and has zero latency, but the operator has to be at the camera. Wireless handwheel controllers put the puller at a distance, which is what a gimbal or a jib requires.

Gear ring fit. Every lens needs a 0.8 MOD gear ring or a seamless focus gear. Check the barrel diameter.

Broadcast lens controllers — zoom demands and focus demands for box lenses — are also here, and are usually quoted as part of a system.

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Questions we get asked

Do I need a matte box if I already use screw-in filters?

Only if you stack filters, change them often, or need the flag. A matte box makes filter swaps fast and keeps stray light off the front element on long lenses.

What filter size should a matte box take?

4x5.65\" is the working standard and covers most cine filters. 4x4\" also exists; check that your existing filter stock matches before choosing a box.

Clamp-on or rod-mounted matte box?

Clamp-on is lighter and faster on small rigs. Rod-mounted and swing-away boxes suit heavier builds and let you change lenses without removing the box.

What is FIZ?

Focus, iris and zoom — the three lens parameters a remote system controls. A follow focus handles focus; full FIZ systems add motors for iris and zoom.

Do I need a gear ring for follow focus?

Yes, unless the lens already has 0.8 MOD gear teeth on the focus barrel. Seamless focus gear rings fit over a smooth barrel and are sized by diameter.