IRIX Matte Box IQ – Lightweight Matte Box with Magnetic Filter Mount Introduced

Accessory News

by Francesco AndreolaJanuary 26^th, 2023

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IRIX has just introduced a new lightweight and compact matte box, called Matte Box IQ. It natively fits lenses with a front diameter of 95mm, can be adapted to 52-86mm front diameter lenses and is designed to work in pair with the company’s magnetic filter system.

Back at IBC 2022, lens manufacturer IRIX showcased a revisited version of their 150mm T3.0 Macro cinema prime along with a prototype of a lightweight matte box. The latter has now been officially introduced and sits among the most affordable options on the market.

Indeed, it seems that the IRIX Matte Box IQ is here to compete with products such as SmallRig’s Mini, Mini Pro and Mini Lite Matte Box as well as the Tilta Mini Matte Box. So let’s take a closer look at what makes this new tiny lens accessory different!

IRIX Matte Box IQ: features

The IRIX Matte Box IQ is a lightweight matte box (195g) made of a mixture of ABS plastic and carbon fiber. The accessory features a matte black finish to minimize unwanted reflections and integrates a top carbon fiber French flag to help get rid of flares. Also, it’s pretty compact and portable (187x142x55mm), which makes it a rather convenient solution for gimbal use.

The biggest selling point of this product is its compatibility with the company’s magnetic filter system, known as MMS (Magnetic Mount System). This filter mount solution isn’t new, since it’s already integrated at the front of IRIX cinema lenses. However, the mount has now been moved from the lens to the matte box to allow many users to benefit from the MMS system. Unfortunately, the matte box does not accept industry-standard 4×5.65” filters, which is a major drawback, in my opinion.

The Magnetic Mount System filters currently include a VND (2-5 stops), a UV, a CPL as well as a complete set of NDs (ND4, ND8, ND16, ND32, ND64). They magnetically attach to the front of the matte box (or IRIX lens) and can be stacked on top of each other.

The matte box has a clamp-on design and is natively compatible with lenses with a front diameter of 95mm. However, optional adapter rings for lenses with a front diameter ranging from 52mm up to 86mm are also available. Lastly, the company claims that the Matte Box IQ won’t create any vignette when used in pair with 15mm lenses mounted on full-frame cameras.

Price and availability

The new IRIX Matte Box IQ is now available to purchase from the manufacturer’s website. The matte box retails for $80, while additional adapter rings can be purchased separately for $13.45 each.

For more information, please visit IRIX’s website here.

Have you ever tried out IRIX’s MMS filter system? What do you think of this new lightweight matte box model? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!