Filter maker PolarPro has announced a new lightweight BaseCamp matte box for indie filmmakers, and those who frequently venture into the wild to capture stunning images and footage with gimbals for cinema cameras and big gimbals. In addition to the more filmmaking oriented BaseCamp, PolarPro also announces the Summit filter system for landscape and wildlife photographers.
PolarPro are famous for their drone filters, and a year ago they made their first steps into the world of ground filmmaking with their QuartzLine filters. Now, the California-based outfit are taking their game further by introducing a tool-less, lightweight, and most of all dependable solution for those filmmakers, who often take their kit to the limit in formidable environments bracing the elements.
Images by PolarPro
The PolarPro Basecamp is said to be super lightweight at just over 400 grams, when rigged with the top flag and a rod clamp, which puts it up there with similar products from other camera accessories makers such as Bright Tangerine and their Misfit matte box. The Basecamp, however is conceived as a more integrated solution utilizing a 2-stage process with PolarPro’s own filter system.
The front of the BaseCamp is used for rectangular filters, while the back accommodates circular filters such as their Quartzline CP and Diffusion filters (which will be available soon from PolarPro).
Images by PolarPro
PolarPro BaseCamp Matte Box Features
- Lightweight Matte Box System Designed specifically
- for Aerial and Gimbal use (298g to 438g)
- Tool-less design/for the run-n-gun filmmaker
- Aluminium Filter Frames are permanently built onto each filter
- for easier switching
- VND Configuration and NDs available:
- ND2/ND4/ND8/ND16/ND32/ND64/ND128/ND256
- VND 2-5/VND 6-9
- Circular filter attachment rings for:
- 82mm, 72mm, 77mm, and 67mm
- Light Fly (donut, nuns knickers)
- Flexible Elastomer adapts BaseCamp to 67mm-99mm diameter lenses, when mounted on rails
- Various size Clamp Rings for cine lenses
- 80mm, 87mm, 95mm, 100mm, 104mm, 110mm
- Adjustable carbon fibre hood/flag
- Price: $699 (for Variable ND Kit)
- $299 base core starting price for Custom Kit
Images by PolarPro
Utilizing a carbon fibre and aluminium design, the BaseCamp is adjustable to a point where you can strip it down completely down to just a filter holder, and speaking of the filter system, PolarPro have an innovative design for these filters – each filter as its own aluminium shell, which slots directly into the front of the matte box, eliminating the chance of you smudging the filter with your fingers.
The downside, is that due to this filter design, you are locked into using the PolarPro rectangular ND and Variable ND filters. This may be a deal breaker for those already invested in other filters, as those would not be compatible with Basecamp.
Images by Polar Pro
The BaseCamp also allows users to either mount it on 15mm or 19mm rods or use it mounted directly to a lens for more lightweight gimbal or drone work for example, where every gram matters.
The BaseCamp comes with a top flag, which protects the filters when closed and can be neatly packed without the need for disassembly in the included pouch.
Pricing starts at $299 for the BaseCamp core and goes up to $699.99 for the VND kit, or you can customize it to fit your needs. The Summit filter system for photographers starts at $249.
Since launch a few days ago, PolarPro has sold out of the first batch, which included a $100 discount for the first 300 early adopters, and looks like the next batch will ship out around first week of December.
For full details head over to PolarPro’s website.
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