The NiSi C5 Matte box system is a lightweight, versatile, and minimally designed matte box to serve the modern cinematographer. Designed to work with a multitude of lenses and provide a mounting solution for NiSi’s Cinema line of filters along with other 4mm thick filters, The C5 is crafted to meet the needs of all creators. Paired with NiSi’s new 4×4 rotating circular filters, it can fit into the workflow of a run-and-gun shooter all the way up to a full-scale production. Paired with a set of NiSi’s cinema line of filters, there is no better choice to aid in producing the creative look that is desired in camera whilst managing tricky lighting conditions.
Value and Filter Combinations
The C5 kits offer incredible value for filmmakers looking to take their first step away from circular filters to the world of 4x5.65. To upgrade to proper 4x5.65 requires the sale of an organ. A full set of ND filters, mist filters, rota pola and the likes of an Arri LMB matte box can easily put you back R100-R150k. The NiSi C5 system will give you 1-9 VND, Black Mist and Rota Pola in a high quality, lightweight matte box for a maximum of R16k.
The only limitation is that you only have one 4x4 stage and one 4x5.65 stage, which means that you are limited to the following combinations -
- 0.3 - 1.5 VND + Black Mist
- 0.3 - 1.5 VND + 1.2 FSND = 0.3-2.7 VND
- Rota Polariser + Black Mist
- Rota Polariser + 1.2 FSND
This will inevitably lead to some limitation, but the amount of glass you get in the C5 system is absolutely unbeatable. Just the 4x5.65 Black Mist and FSND will cost R13 000.00 if bought seperately.
The C5 is built to last using Aluminium, plastic and Carbon Fibre to protect the filters it holds while keeping the weight down. It features a clamp-on style with adapter rings to suit lenses with filter threads and cinema lenses with a 95mm outer diameter. The deep filter depth blocks glare and places the filter as close to the lens as possible to ensure no vignetting on lenses down to 15mm full frame equivalent. The Carbon Fiber top flag also reduces glare from any overhead light source. The holder has slots in the side to reduce wind resistance, and the 350g weight makes it perfect for aerial platforms and gimbal use mounted on vehicles.
The C5 comes packaged in a pouch that will hold all accessories that the C5 comes with to make it ready to use on set with various lenses. The holder incorporates a top entry 4×4 slot for square filters in a tray or NiSi’s Rotating filters designed for the C5. The filter tray can hold either a 2mm or 4mm thick filter. There is a side entry 4×5.65 filter slot to suit all 4×5.65 filters from ND’s to Grads, Mist, Polarisers, and more.
The C5 Starter kit includes the holder, top flag, one 4×4 filter tray, one 4×5.65 filter tray, and a pouch along with adapter rings to suit lenses with 67, 72, 77, and 82mm front threads.
C5 System Installation
