ARRI MB-20 Quick Guide 02/2006, Page 4
About this ARRI Quick Guide
This Quick Guide (order number K5.44285.0) provides a short introduction to the ARRI MB-20 Compact Matte
Box. It is essential that you acquaint yourself with this guide before operating the equipment.
Even though all efforts have been made to ensure this guide’s accuracy, changes and upgrades to the
products described can result in different hardware or behaviour. Technical data are subject to change
without notice.
This document can be downloaded from www.arri.com in Acrobat pdf format. The Acrobat Reader can be
downloaded free from the Adobe web site at www.adobe.com. A PostScript printer gives best printing results.
Tools
Anyone operating the ARRI MB-20 system should have a
3 mm metric hex wrench
which is used to fine tune
the vertical orientation of the MB-20 with the Swing-away Module fitted.
Safety Specifications
• Assembly and initial operation should be carried out only by persons who are familiar with the equipment.
• Repairs should be carried out only by authorised ARRI service centres.
• Use only original ARRI replacement parts and accessories!
• Do not remove any screws which are secured with paint.
MB-20 System
The ARRI MB-20 Compact Matte Box is a versatile, modular matte box designed primarily for the high
definition video market, but can equally well be used with 16 or 35 format film cameras. Interchangeable
modules allow for either rod mounted, swing-away operation or for clamping directly onto the lens.
The heart of the matte box is the Basic Module, in front of which can be fitted the removable Sunshade and
Top, Bottom and Side Flags. Interchangeable Hard Mattes can be snapped into the front of the Sunshade.
The back of the Basic Module accepts a 2 or 3 Filter Stage – all filters are individually rotatable.
The right-hand edge of the Basic Module mates with one of 2 support systems:
• Check recent price lists and Configuration Overviews for new parts not yet in the MB-20 program at the
time of printing of this Quick Guide.
The Clamp-on Adapter
In this mode the matte box clamps directly to the front of the lens. The Clamp-on Adapter used alone fits
lenses with a front diameter of 130mm. A range of Adapter Rings reduces the basic 130mm diameter down to
as little as 80mm to work with a wide variety of lenses.
The Swing Away Module
The Swing Away Module offers all the features of a production matte box, where the matte box is mounted on
support rods and the entire front section swings forward to facilitate lens changes. To the Swing Away Module
is fitted either the Console for Lightweight Support or the Console for 235 Side Bracket. The Console for
Lightweight Support mounts directly on 15mm Lightweight Support Rods or, with the addition of an adapter,
onto 15mm or 19mm studio support rods. The Console for 235 Side Bracket allows the matte box to be used
with an ARRIFLEX 235 fitted with Side Bars.
In Swing Away mode the rear of the filter stage is fitted with the Back 138mm Bellows Adapter. This accepts
a selection of 138mm and 4 ½
” Filter Rings, which offers the addition of a further, round, rotatable filter. The
filter rings combine with Connection or Adapter Rings to work with lenses of different front diameters. (See the
Configuration Overview on pages 2 & 3 of this guide for details).
About, Tools, Safety, MB-20 System
