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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Fastest way to level Mitchell Sticks?

R

reidyg

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Hi,

I was hoping someone might help me out with this. I've always worked with 150mm setups but never used a Mitchell/Moy setup. I'm considering buying Mitchell sticks for my Ronford 2015 head. Because of the weight of the head, this won't be for run and gun shoots. Any tips or advice would be greatly welcomed.
 
levelling trick

levelling trick

reidyg said:
Hi,

I was hoping someone might help me out with this. I've always worked with 150mm setups but never used a Mitchell/Moy setup. I'm considering buying Mitchell sticks for my Ronford 2015 head. Because of the weight of the head, this won't be for run and gun shoots. Any tips or advice would be greatly welcomed.
Click to expand...

level the sticks with an actual small level.. like the one you use for adjusting a framed piece of art..
it's a 2 person adjustment, when you have a heavy package.. you at least want one person to be the safety..
level one leg at a time..
 
I usually just eyeball it close, put a head on and use the level on the head. With practice you can nail it pretty quick. I think with a heavy package or with a big honking lens its faster to level a mitchel base head since it doesn't want to flop all over the place while you are doing it.

Nick
 
Thanks for the helpful replies. I'm curious about what you would do if you have a full load and you need to adjust. Would you use shims to tweak?
 
No, you just grab the top of the leg you are going to adjust, loosen the brake, ease it down or rock it up, and tighten again. Since it's a tripod, if you are going up, you just sort of lean the whole thing back so it's pivoting over the other two legs, they are taking the weight, then you tighten the leg and do it two more times. It's easier with a hand from a grip or the AC standing there watching you do it, but it's easy to do fast by your self as well. Practice with your 150mm set up, just lock the head down.

Nick
 
Adjusting your sticks is like putting on your pants...one leg at a time.
 
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