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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 :)

Mitchell Tripod Legs.. your preference is??

ericyoung said:
Hi Ronford(?)

It's cool that you're on this forum!

Actually I've got a few observations/questions. Your website leaves quite a lot to be desired for new prospective Ronford customers coming from a non-film background!

I can't see your Off Ground Spreader anywhere.

I can't see maximum payloads on the specs of any of your legs - yes I can email/phone to ask, but why put customers through the hoops?

Pictures are quite low res on the site and in the pdfs - you can't zoom in for a better look (although to be fair other tripod manufacturers don't do that much better, although their pictures tend to be higher res.
Click to expand...

Hello All,

Ronford products are simple and very effective. Most of all, they are manufacturers, designers, with a history, they are not a webshop. It is a company where they answer the phone with: "RonfordBaker, good afternoon, how can we help you?" That their website is not always up to date is a sign of where they put their priorities. (disclaimer: I simply like their products and their excellent service!)

Secondly: (Hard to explain my thoughts as a non native.) When using a lifted spreader in combination with a flatbasetripod the legs will wander(?) around while leveling the head. On slightly uneven terrain you are having a hard time finding the right position for each leg. (When you are leveling your head you will find out that each leg needs to reposition, exactly not where you have a solid base.)
This meaning: the wideness of the tripod is obtained from the wideness of the spreader. Thus a lifted spreader at a certain gauge will expand the footprint while leveling. With a groundspreader the footprint will remain the same.
The lifted-spreader from Ronford is lifted only an inch from the ground so the repositioning of the legs while leveling are minimal in comparitive with the sachtler-spreader....

hopefully I am clear in what I am trying to say.

Good Luck,

Onno

Onno Perdijk
KeyGrip / Manufacturer
www.solidgripsystems.eu
Amsterdam, Holland
 
RONFORD said:
Hi Eric, we are working on a new site - but it's coming on quite slowly as things are very busy for us at the moment.
Here are some pics of the Off Ground Spreaders.
...
The first three pics are the Heavy Duty model, the last is the Medium Duty Version.

For F7 Platform Sizes follow this link to see the sizes http://www.ronfordbaker.co.uk/fluid_heads.html

Payload for the Medium Duty tripod is 150lbs and the lightweight is 100lbs, the payload does not change if an offground or ground spreader is used.

Thanks, Ryan
Click to expand...

Hi Ryan

Thanks very much for the clear pictures, link and payloads. That's what I was talking about! Really helps in buying decisions. :)
 
Eric and others: Ronford-Baker and O'Connor all do what they are supposed to do. Tripods are not rocket science. What you need to consider is not the name, but the materials, single or double systems, ease of use, and accessories. I upgraded from Ronford Baker when the time came to Cartoni. My various crew people, most of whom had never used Cartoni before now swear by them. Further, Cartoni has a great dolly system that attaches to your sticks that gives a dimention not available in other systems.

Lastly, I only use studio grade systems. Yes they are heavier. Yes they cost more. But you have better control and the system feels rock solid because it is. I always have sand bags available as needed. Lighter weight systems will need sandbags, they're not an option. This defeats the light weight claim.
 
Tim Duran said:
Eric and others: Ronford-Baker and O'Connor all do what they are supposed to do. Tripods are not rocket science. What you need to consider is not the name, but the materials, single or double systems, ease of use, and accessories. I upgraded from Ronford Baker when the time came to Cartoni. My various crew people, most of whom had never used Cartoni before now swear by them. Further, Cartoni has a great dolly system that attaches to your sticks that gives a dimention not available in other systems.

Lastly, I only use studio grade systems. Yes they are heavier. Yes they cost more. But you have better control and the system feels rock solid because it is. I always have sand bags available as needed. Lighter weight systems will need sandbags, they're not an option. This defeats the light weight claim.
Click to expand...

Tim, this is exactly what I'm doing, not going for the name here, just trying to get to know each by other people's experience, so that when I go in to the store to try them out my self, I already have a bit of shared knowledge of them.
 
Ketch I use my O'Connor Cine HD sticks whenever I can. I also do shoot a lot of sports and stuff where I do not have assistants and weight and unfavorable ground conditions make it a bit hard to deal with. So I ended up also getting a Sachtler 2 stage Carbon Fiber tripod with mid level spreader and 150mm bowl. It supports the 2575 head great and is a lot better for those applications. Changing between mitchell and 150 bowl mount on the Head takes about 3 minutes. The Cine HD legs are rock solid and my first choice if possible. The Sachtler legs are good but are not as solid. I have never had an issue with any slipping on the 150mm bowl so that is solid and very easy to balance on uneven terrain. A little more expensive route but a man has to have the right tools to do his job.
Peace,
Mike
 
Mike McEntire said:
Ketch I use my O'Connor Cine HD sticks whenever I can. I also do shoot a lot of sports and stuff where I do not have assistants and weight and unfavorable ground conditions make it a bit hard to deal with. So I ended up also getting a Sachtler 2 stage Carbon Fiber tripod with mid level spreader and 150mm bowl. It supports the 2575 head great and is a lot better for those applications. Changing between mitchell and 150 bowl mount on the Head takes about 3 minutes. The Cine HD legs are rock solid and my first choice if possible. The Sachtler legs are good but are not as solid. I have never had an issue with any slipping on the 150mm bowl so that is solid and very easy to balance on uneven terrain. A little more expensive route but a man has to have the right tools to do his job.
Peace,
Mike
Click to expand...

Thanks for the input Mike,

I definitely need Mitchell mount, and one of the things I also need is not only Stability, but lightweight, as I would prefer to have only one do it all set of sticks that I get really used to it, instead of two sets.

The other things is that I have no knowledge of an adapter to make a 150mm bawl in to a Sturdy Mitchell flat base, to put a Gear Head on it, but if I knew of one, I would much rather get a lighter stick in the 150 Bawl, like the O'connors CB 35L or 25L, and have the best of both worlds, Can I? That is the question here.
 
KETCH ROSSI said:
Thanks for the input Mike,

I definitely need Mitchell mount, and one of the things I also need is not only Stability, but lightweight, as I would prefer to have only one do it all set of sticks that I get really used to it, instead of two sets.

The other things is that I have no knowledge of an adapter to make a 150mm bawl in to a Sturdy Mitchell flat base, to put a Gear Head on it, but if I knew of one, I would much rather get a lighter stick in the 150 Bawl, like the O'connors CB 35L or 25L, and have the best of both worlds, Can I? That is the question here.
Click to expand...

Ketch,

I have owned the OB 2000 with the mid-height spreader for well over 8 years - never a complaint or regret.

As far as an adapter to place a Mitchell mount onto a tripod with a 150mm bowl: Take a look at an OConnor part # 08360. Costs about $ 330 plus the tie down. Have never used one, but from the looks of the photo, the key slot is female which would indicate the Mitchell portion is on top.

If your research bears that out, let me know - All of my baby legs are 150mm. Being able to quickly adapt those to Mitchell plates on top would be valuable.


EDIT: I need to finish reading a thread before writing - Joel nailed it with the photo as well!
 
Last edited:
Joel Jameson said:
Is this what your looking for?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/261457-REG/OConnor_08360_08360_Mitchell_Base_to.html
Click to expand...

Yes Joel, but I need to make sure that if I do get a lighter Sticks in the 150mm Bawl, that putting that adaptor on it to mount my Mitchell heads, will be almost as if having the sticks on a Mitchell mount, can't compromise that.


Brian F Kobylarz said:
Ketch,

I have owned the OB 2000 with the mid-height spreader for well over 8 years - never a complaint or regret.

As far as an adapter to place a Mitchell mount onto a tripod with a 150mm bowl: Take a look at an OConnor part # 08360. Costs about $ 330 plus the tie down. Have never used one, but from the looks of the photo, the key slot is female which would indicate the Mitchell portion is on top.

If your research bears that out, let me know - All of my baby legs are 150mm. Being able to quickly adapt those to Mitchell plates on top would be valuable.


EDIT: I need to finish reading a thread before writing - Joel nailed it with the photo as well!
Click to expand...


Good to hear good things on the OB 2000 Brian, yes I also know of that O'connor part, but still need to have proved experience that doing this type of mounting will work perfectly with no issues, as I will use S3D set ups as well, with two Epic-X.
 
Mitchell vs 150

Mitchell vs 150

I hear you Ketch - if thinking 3D rigs, I would go with a Mitchell and pass on the OConnor adapter (Though I share your thought on alternate lighter weight configurations).
Tell you what, before you spend enough money to send a German beer to college, let me know when you might get the Gearnex in. Perhaps it would make sense to let you test out the OB to see how it fits with your typical shoots...
Maybe someone else will be able to offer up a Ronford for a test - let's find out the differences in the field...
 
Thanks for the offer Brian, appreciated.

The GearNex, will be used for Cine Production, and or Music videos, and High end commercials, but when out and about I will be using smaller lighter heads of various styles, and really need a lighter pair of sticks, I would really never need the 200 to 309LB capacity of the heavy Duty Mithcell sticks, but if I'm not assured that a 100mm or 150mm pair of CF sticks can be absolutely firm and steady when fitted with an adapter to mount the Mitchell head, then I will just have no choice but to have two set of sticks! Which seems more and more not a choice but a necessity.
 
RONFORD said:
Hi Eric, we are working on a new site - but it's coming on quite slowly as things are very busy for us at the moment.
Here are some pics of the Off Ground Spreaders.

...

Payload for the Medium Duty tripod is 150lbs and the lightweight is 100lbs, the payload does not change if an offground or ground spreader is used.

Thanks, Ryan
Click to expand...

Hi again Ryan

Can you tell us the maximum payload of the Heavy Duty Tripod too.

Thanks
Eric
 
ericyoung said:
Hi Ronford(?)

It's cool that you're on this forum!

Actually I've got a few observations/questions. Your website leaves quite a lot to be desired for new prospective Ronford customers coming from a non-film background!

I can't see your Off Ground Spreader anywhere.

I can't see maximum payloads on the specs of any of your legs - yes I can email/phone to ask, but why put customers through the hoops?

Pictures are quite low res on the site and in the pdfs - you can't zoom in for a better look (although to be fair other tripod manufacturers don't do that much better, although their pictures tend to be higher res.

There are no measurements on the different size platforms for the F7, so how would someone decide which platform to use except by trial and error?

The RED EVF mount has very little information. I came across a hire one where it would lock solid when trying to tilt the EVF up and down. I couldn't tell if that was a fault, maybe a friction pad missing, or just bad design because your site doesn't say what it SHOULD do. I'm assuming it ISN'T designed like that of course! :smile:

Ronford Baker makes really great solid kit which is well designed and lasts forever, but it's really hard to find out stuff - we shouldn't have to email/phone to get the basic information IMHO.
Click to expand...

We use Ronford kit all the time. Its very well built and lasts a life time. The heavy weight legs we use to mount a small crane and are well up to the job. We recommend them. (No connection other than being a happy customer) If you need info then best to call. Hopefully the web site will be updated soon...........
 
RONFORD said:
Hi Eric, it is approx. 200lbs. ( 90 Kgs).
Thanks, Ryan
Click to expand...

Thanks Ryan!

Another question - looking at the off-ground spreader. In one picture it appears to attach to the last ground most stage of the legs, so it isn't much higher than a ground spreader and wouldn't allow large differences in leg extension for say shooting on sides of hills/mountains.

But in the last picture it appears to attach to the mid stage section of the medium duty legs, implying it would then act more like a mid-level spreader. Is that correct?

Also, I'm guessing that on older Ronford Baker legs, that there would not be a suitable socket on the leg sections to attach the off-ground spreader, so it can't be retrofitted to older models of legs?
 
The Heavy Duty Off Ground Spreader attaches to the bottom foot casting and the centre is extended and can be moved to allow shooting on sides of hills/mountains etc.
This Off Ground Spreader will fit any heavy duty tripod we have ever made.

The Medium Duty version attaches to the bottom slide of the tripod and will raise together with the leg. This spreader will fit any Medium Duty Tripod manufactured in the last 10 years, for older legs they will simply need a hole drilled into the bottom slide.
Thanks, Ryan
 
KETCH ROSSI said:
Thanks for the offer Brian, appreciated.

The GearNex, will be used for Cine Production, and or Music videos, and High end commercials, but when out and about I will be using smaller lighter heads of various styles, and really need a lighter pair of sticks, I would really never need the 200 to 309LB capacity of the heavy Duty Mithcell sticks, but if I'm not assured that a 100mm or 150mm pair of CF sticks can be absolutely firm and steady when fitted with an adapter to mount the Mitchell head, then I will just have no choice but to have two set of sticks! Which seems more and more not a choice but a necessity.
Click to expand...

Hi Ketch!

I went through this dilemma last year so let me chime in.

1. I LOVE lightweight setups...

PRO: because its easier to carry and set up.
CON: If you do a lot of panning and tilting, Im telling you the heavier the sticks the better because you will end up needing heavy sand bags for the carbon fiber... so more weight to carry. If you plan on just setting the sticks and leaving it... CF are more than fine.

2. A/C's LOVE the RONFORDS and OCONNOR because they are so sturdy...rock solid and last forever. They can take a hell of a beating for years.

3. Run and Gun guys who shoot by themselves a lot will sacrifice the sturdiness of Ronfords for easy to carry sticks. nature shooters, etc.

Your choice really does depend on what and HOW you plan on shooting.

What did I decide?

I BIT THE BULLET and decided to buy BOTH. Because every job has different needs and flexibility is always the best approach.

Good luck!
 
Hi Ryan

I recently purchased some mini Ronford Baker legs off Ebay, description:
THE MEASURMENTS ARE:- 9.5 cm BOWL, MAX HEIGHT 29 cm, MIN HEIGHT 22 cm, (MEASURMENTS ARE APPROX)
Patent No. 1,157,990. SRL No 3935

and was wondering about getting a spreader for them - I can't see any on the Ronford Baker website. In fact I can't find this tripod model there either.

Do you have any specifications for the payload of the legs, and specs, pictures and cost for a suitable spreader?

Thanks
Eric
 

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