MINI TESTS
VOCAS MB-256 MATTE BOX £718/$837 www.vocas.com
SANDISK ULTRA FIT USB 3.1 FLASH DRIVE 32GB £8.99/$11 www.sandisk.com Loads of filmmakers use plug-in flash drives to transfer images or video data around, but they are often painfully slow. The new SanDisk Ultra Fit USB 3.1 is up to 15 times faster than with standard USB 2.0 drives, and is so tiny you can leave it plugged into your laptop at all times to use as an external, mini hard drive. Files transfer at up to 130MB/s read speed and you can move around 1GB of data in about 20 seconds. It’s not as fast as a full-size SSD, which transferred the same data in around four seconds, but it’s lots quicker than a normal memory stick. It comes with encryption software so you can password- protect your files, has RescuePRO Deluxe data recovery software and is backward- compatible, so you can plug it into any USB 3.0 or 2.0 port. AD
If you want to fit the larger, professional filters to your DSLR or cinema camera, then nothing can beat the flexibility of a purpose-made matte box. And it’s the only way of fitting the 2mm-plus standard broadcast filters, which are too fat for most stills photo-style filter holders. It’s possible to spend thousands on a matte box, and many Hollywood- types do. But for a more realistic budget that independent filmmaker can stretch to, Dutch company Vocas makes a range of matte boxes to suit different cameras sizes. We tried the MB-256, a wide-angle matte box with two filter trays – one fixed and one that can be rotated, so it’s ideal for grad filters or polarisers. The kit comes with two filter holders in 4x4in size, although a whole array of sizes can be bought to take filters up to 4x6in. To fit it to your camera you can either buy the kit that fastens it to standard 15mm rails, or via an adapter ring that screws into your lens filter thread. We used it on a Sony 18-110mm cine lens with a 95mm filter thread. The adapter screws into this, then the matte box slides over it and clamps firmly down using a knurled aluminium knob on the side. The matte box can also clamp directly onto lenses with a diameter of up to 114mm. In use, the Vocas is relatively light thanks to its carbon fibre and aluminium construction, and holds filters very securely without any light leaks. Rotating one filter is a bit fiddly, but it works and has just the right amount of resistance. The build quality is excellent, the price is not stratospheric and it opens up the world of true pro broadcast filters. AD
RIGHT The MB-256 comes with two filter trays, one fixed and one that can be rotated.
PROMOVIEMAKER RATING: 8/10 Well built and easy to set up, great flare control Pros: Professional kit for use on lots of lenses Cons: Only two filter slots SPECIFICATIONS Filter sizes: 2x2, 2x3, 3x3, 3x4, 4x4, 4x5, 4x5.65, 4x6in Diameter: 114mm Filter slots: 2, 1 rotatable Comes with: Flag, 4x4 filter holders Material: Aluminiumand carbon fibre Weight: 556g/1.23lb
VERDICT: It’s tiny, fast, inexpensive and works well. Just don’t lose it as it’s so small!
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AUTUMN 2018 PRO MOVIEMAKER
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