A standard matte box is supplied with every PANAFLEX camera. It attaches to the camera by two iris rods (called “support bars” in the UK) set one above the other on the motor side of the lens.
It takes two 4 × 5.650" rectangular filters and has a 5.5960” diameter circular retainer ring which can take a 138mm Polarizing Filter or other diameter circular filter or a 4½" diameter reducing ring which can also be fitted with a “snout” which can be used with very wide angle prime lenses to clear the viewfinder optical system.
The top is especially strengthened to be fitted with a sunshade flap.
A smaller, lightweight, ‘spherical’ matte box, which is particularly suitable for use with physically small lenses or when hand holding the camera, is available on request. It incorporates holders for two 4 × 5.650” rectangular filters and one 4½” diameter circular filter holder.
Both matte boxes are hinged to allow them to be swung clear for lens changing. To release, lift spring loaded knob above the hinge and swing the matte box forward.
For the 20 - 100mm Super Zoom a special Wide Angle Matte Box which takes only one 4 × 5.650" filter is supplied.
All matte boxes are supplied with slip-on, lightweight, plastic mattes which fit over the front of the sunshade and have cut-outs to suit various focal length lenses. These mattes minimize the amount of stray light entering the matte box from the front. Foam rubber ‘Donut’ rings are supplied with all lenses. They fit between the lenses and the rear of the matte box to prevent stray light entering from behind which could reflect off the rear of the filters.
A matte box which enables the filter to be tilted forwards to eliminate distracting multiple reflections caused by automobile headlights, etc. is a very useful accessory when filming car chases at night.
A multi-stage matte box which takes any number of sliding and rotating 6.6" sq. filters, plus tilting and mechanically operated sliding filters, is an available extra.
1. Standard matte box, 2. Spherical matte box, 3. Swinging a matte box open to facilitate lens changing, 4. Adjusting a sliding graduated filter tray, 5. Tilting matte box, 6. Multi stage 6.6” sq. matte box, 7. Matte box matte in position, 8. Set of matte box mattes, 9. Extension sunshade flap, 10. Donut in position between a lens and the rear of a matte box.