DSLR RIG REVIEW

by Sebastian WöberJanuary 23^rd, 2010

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The Chrosziel matte box also digs quite a hole into your pocket, but we thought this item was really worth the investment. It weights only half as much as the Arri matte box, but is equally high in quality, and absolutely large enough for DSLR use. Of course it always depends on what lenses you use. When you are working on a DSLR budget, this one should cover everything you need.

The practicality of this item is superior to all other matte boxes we had in the test, only the Vocas comes close, but plays in a little different league. All screws and movable parts were very easy to adjust, but still sat tightly at all times. The top flag movement is the shit. Really, this one is how it’s meant to be. A very important need, that no other test unit succeeded to perfectly satisfy.

There is one filter stage for 4×4 filters and another for 4×5.65. That’s OK. Chrosziel offers many donuts and adaptors for lenses, we didn’t test those because we didn’t have all the lenses to cover all adaptors we received by all the companies.

We also loved the rubber bellows that surround the lenses, more than any other solution we’ve seen in this test.

Chrosziel also sent us a top handle to carry the rig around with. Unfortunately this handle will block sight onto the camera’s LCD screen, and will also conflict when you attach a loupe. Also the Chrosziel handheld attachment will slide in at the same point where the handle goes, so you can’t use the handle with the handheld rig, which is unfortunate as we have a strong feeling that, these items belong together somehow.

The handle can be used when working with a field monitor. Chrosziel sent a package they also offer in their DSLR line. The monitor by Marshall and the articulated arm cost another 2290€ and no, you’re not the only one who’s coffee mug just hit your toes at this point. We think this monitor package is a bit overpriced.

You probably want to know what this monitor can do for all that cash? The good thing about it is that it has all BNC type inputs and outputs. That means video cables are locked in and can’t be pulled out. BNC output is also great for your DSLR, because it’s the way your director will be able to see something on his end (There’s this other solution of using a cable splitter of course…).
We felt the DP-1 monitor by smallHD was a lot more compatible towards DSLR. We had one of those lying around too. Though it doesn’t offer output it will fit your entire picture on the whole screen in 720p at 1000$ while the Marshall can only give you a picture at SD quality for more money. It’s still a good and professional monitor, but we can’t recommend it for DSLR use at this price. We’ll have a monitor review later this month.