Tilta Mirage Matte Box VND

The Tilta Mirage Matte Box VND is a light, modular matte box with a variable ND 0.3–2.7 module: filters slide in as cartridges, it clamps onto 95 mm cine lenses and, through adapter rings, onto photo lenses, and exposure is set by turning the module. The kit includes a 15 mm LWS rod support, a Nucleus Nano motor adapter and the Advanced case.

The Tilta Mirage Matte Box VND is the basic Mirage plus a variable ND 0.3–2.7 module, a 15 mm LWS rod support and an adapter for the Nucleus Nano motor. Exposure is corrected by turning the module or remotely, without removing the filter — and it all travels in the sturdier Advanced case.

Fits cine and photo lenses alike

Mirage clamps straight onto lenses with a 95 mm front diameter, that is onto classic cine glass such as the ARRI Ultra Prime or Leica Summicron-C. It reaches DSLR and mirrorless lenses through adapter rings — four come in the basic kit, for 67, 72, 77 and 82 mm, and other diameters are sold separately.

The filter slides in, it does not screw on

The circular filter sits in a cartridge that clicks into the matte box with a single press. Swapping takes a second, you need not remove the sun hood or touch the glass, and the filter cannot seize in a thread. The idea comes from film production — faster and kinder to the glass than a screw-in filter.

A quarter the weight of a rectangular filter

Mirage's round 95 mm filter is 2 mm thick and weighs 30 g. A traditional 4×5.65″ filter is 4 mm and 135 g. That is over a hundred grams saved per filter; take five on a shoot and it is half a kilo that neither the gimbal nor the drone has to carry. Smaller glass costs less, too.

Ready for 4×5.65″ filters as well

When you need the classic rectangular format or several filters at once, stackable 4×5.65″ trays and their holder are available for Mirage. Round and rectangular filters can be combined in one build, so you do not have to decide in advance.

Effect filters from several makers

Other brands make filters for Mirage's 95 mm standard, so you can pick star patterns, coloured streaks, anamorphic flares, black and white pro mist and further effects. They all slide into the same cartridge, so you can swap them on set without tools.

VND module and Nucleus Nano motor

The variable ND module was developed with leading optics makers and weighs 130 g in its lightest configuration. PL + CPL technology keeps colours true even at maximum density, and the ND 0.3–2.7 range has hard stops so it cannot be over-turned. The included adapter takes a Nucleus Nano motor on the module, so density can be changed remotely.

Aerodynamic body with vents

The matte box body is aerodynamically shaped with integrated vents that cut wind resistance. The rig stays calm at speed or in drone flight; the optional front protective element shields the filters from stones and insects.

Modular — build it for the scene

Mirage comes apart. Take off the sun hood, swap the filter holder, add the 15 mm LWS rod support — or instead the light clamp-on adapter, and a full matte box turns into a gimbal build. Tilta has patents pending on the system.

Worth knowing

Recommended ranges: ND 0.3–2.1 for wide lenses, ND 2.1–2.7 from 35 mm upwards. Outside them vignetting or a cross shadow may appear.

Mounted the usual way round, the VND filter does not polarise. Reversed it does — polarisation is then set by turning the whole matte box, but the wireless motor can no longer be fitted. Tilta side focus handles power the Mirage motor but do not control it.