Rectangular lens shade with filter holders that blocks stray light and accepts professional 4x4-inch filters.
Technical Details
Professional matte boxes consist of a 15-19 mm thick carbon or aluminum construction with adjustable top, bottom, and side flags. The filter trays accommodate standardized 4x4", 4x5.65", or 6.6x6.6" filters, with up to three filter stages arranged one above the other. They are attached via studio rods with 15mm or 19mm diameter, with distances to the lens ranging from 80-300 mm depending on the focal length. Modern systems like ARRI LMB or Chrosziel MatteBox achieve weights between 0.8 and 2.4 kg.
History & Development
The first matte boxes emerged in the 1920s as simple cardboard lens hoods. In 1958, Chrosziel developed the first adjustable matte box with standardized filter trays for the German Bavaria Studios. ARRI presented the modular LMB system in 1982, which for the first time enabled tool-free adjustment to different lens diameters. Since 2010, carbon constructions have dominated the market, offering the same stability at 40% less weight.
Practical Use in Film
Roger Deakins consistently used ARRI LMB-6 matte boxes with special fog filters for the dystopian atmosphere in "Blade Runner 2049". During daylight exterior shots, the matte box prevents lens flares and contrast loss, while the filter trays hold graduated ND filters for darkening the sky. The workflow requires constant collaboration between the 1st AC and the gaffer, as filter changes must remain possible during takes.
Comparison & Alternatives
Compared to lens filters, the matte box offers larger filter areas without vignetting on wide-angle lenses under 20mm focal length. Digital alternatives like software de-faring or LED walls reduce the need for filters but do not replace mechanical light baffling. Clip-on matte box systems like Tilta Mirage compete for smaller cameras but do not achieve the stability of rod support systems in professional configurations over 8 kg weight.