Mitchell Tripod Legs.. your preference is??

[Ketch Rossi]

Hey guys,

looking in getting a Tripod in Mitchell flat base mount, what is your preference?

Sachtler. OB-2000? http://www.sachtler.us/?id=1108/product_tripods-flat-base|mitchell_ob-2000__description.html

O'Connor Cine HD? http://www.ocon.com/products/tripods/cine-hd.html

Also do you guys always use the Level Spreader on this tripods? Or is safe to assume that the spreader is only needed for heavier configuration to add stability, or is better to always have them on, even on light configurations such as with the Epic?

This will be for the Epic, so I don't think I will really ever going to need all the support they offer, but I do no doubt want to stay with the Mitchell mount, so this are the choices I'm looking at.

As far as Head, I will have the GearNex Gear Heaad: http://www.gearnex.com/
and
Vari Zoom Zero Gravity Head: http://www.varizoom.com/products/tripods/zerogravity.html

EDIT:Okay one more question, I must have the Mitchell base mount, but what is the general opinion on having a 100 or 150mm to Michel Base adapter, to allow the purchase and use of lighter duty Sticks with a Mitchell base head? Good, Bad, a No don't do it? Yes its perfectly okay?

Any advise welcomed thanks.

 

[ericyoung]

Well if you're ever renting out to film boys, they'll probably prefer the more familiar O'Connor, but looks like both legs in your links will do the job!

You definitely almost always want to have a spreader or you will constantly be fighting with the legs while adjusting them, and they'll never be fully stable or safe except maybe on soft ground or thick carpet where the spikes can fully dig in.

 

[Ketch Rossi]

Thanks Eric, I never had use them before so I was wondering their need, but it makes perfect sense, and I will be sure to get them with the Tripod I will go for it.

As far as renting I don't think so, as the Epic-X will go with me on any given jobs, but more likely will be used for our own projects only, either self developed and produced, or to work on client's jobs.

 

[Jamison Stark]

Another good option is Ronford Baker...

http://www.ronfordbaker.co.uk/tripods.html

 

[Mike McEntire]

O'Connor Cine HD all the way. Awesome sticks.

 

[Ketch Rossi]

Thanks Jamison, I'll check the Ronford Baker out.


Thanks Mike, I do like the O'connors, but I admit I kinda of like the Black sticks better, and the 35 and 25L do not come with Mitchell base ;~)
but since I can't really make a decision I guess I'm looking to get the opinions of those that have been using them regularly as to wave out the pro and cons of each, before making a decision, as I need this to las a long time, and they will travel with me every were.

 

[paul engstrom]

Ronford medium or heavy is pretty much the standard.

That said, I'm looking at the even heavier set of Cartoni legs (625 is the number com/web/en/studio-tripods?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=228&category_id=12) -- getting a set that can do double duty holding a solid jib, weight, fluid head and camera.

p

 

[Vladimir Eugene]

Hey Ketch,

Something interesting, is that In Los Angeles, and NY I've only seen the Heavy duty aluminum tripods mitchell base. When I was in Spain, I saw them using the medium duty tripod- which support quite well the RED/Lens/Accessories. With Epic/Scarlett- things getting even lighter, I don't anticipate the desire for Heavy Duty Legs diminishing

The Medium Duty with Mitchell legs weight nearly half the weight the Heavy duty does-

Keep that in consideration with your shopping

best

 

[paul engstrom]

Good points Vlad...

I'm finding it hard to know -- on the one hand cameras getting lighter. On the other hand lenses getting heavier. And on the 3rd hand 3d.

Medium or Heavy Mitchell base? I'm thinking Heavy.

 

[Tom Gough]

Another good option is Ronford Baker...

http://www.ronfordbaker.co.uk/tripods.html

+1 - they're light, smooth and solid :thumbup1:

 

[ericyoung]

One other consideration. Looks like the O'Connor and definitely the Ronford Bakers only come with ground spreaders. This is fine a lot of the time, but do you ever intend to do much outdoor stuff like wildlife on rough and very uneven terrain or steep slopes? Then a mid-level spreader like on the Sachtler can be a better option as it allows the spreader to stay clear of the terrain, keeping it cleaner and allowing the legs to be very different lengths.

 

[ericyoung]

I notice the Varizoom Zero Gravity head has quite a light maximum payload of only 15lbs. Might be a bit light even for an EPIC.

 

[Ketch Rossi]

Thanks guys, much appreciate all the feedback, so far despite all options I'm leaning towards the Sachtler. OB-2000 system http://www.sachtler.us/?id=1108/prod...scription.html for the reasons explained below, and this sticks seem to be the only ones offering all I'm looking for, final purchase decision still yet to be made ;~)

I have been looking at different options Vlad, but I do want the Mitchell base, which on Sachtler and O'connor only comes in the Heavy duty versions, but will still be looking at other options, as to lighten the load, but need to also be thinking for S3D rig configuration and the total weight in those cases, but could also off course have different sticks for different set ups, ideally.

The main reason to look at Heavy duty sticks is simply because of the Mitchell base, which is not available in lighter Sticks.

The reason I asked about spreaders was because I will be doing lots of out doors, and for this the concern of the floor spreader, and the preference towards the Sachtler mid level spreader as Eric point it out, on the O'connor sticks the Cine HD only has the Floor spreader, and the 35L and 35L do have the Mid level spreader but do not come in Mitchell mount.

The Varizoom Eric, will be used with the Stripped down Epic in Still mode and 15lb load capacity is okay.

Also thanks to Paul and Tom for your inputs.

 

[Ryan Glater]

One other consideration. Looks like the O'Connor and definitely the Ronford Bakers only come with ground spreaders. This is fine a lot of the time, but do you ever intend to do much outdoor stuff like wildlife on rough and very uneven terrain or steep slopes? Then a mid-level spreader like on the Sachtler can be a better option as it allows the spreader to stay clear of the terrain, keeping it cleaner and allowing the legs to be very different lengths.

Hi Eric, just to let you know Ronford Baker Tripods can be supplied with either an Integral Ground Spreader or Off Ground Spreader. This applies to all models, Lightweight, Medium and Heavy Duty models.

 

[Ryan Glater]

...The main reason to look at Heavy duty sticks is simply because of the Mitchell base, which is not available in lighter Sticks.

The reason I asked about spreaders was because I will be doing lots of out doors, and for this the concern of the floor spreader, and the preference towards the Sachtler mid level spreader as Eric point it out, on the O'connor sticks the Cine HD only has the Floor spreader, and the 35L and 35L do have the Mid level spreader but do not come in Mitchell mount....

Hi Ketch, Ronford Baker Heavy & Medium Duty tripods can be supplied with a Mitchell fitting and Off Ground Spreader.

 

[ericyoung]

Hi Eric, just to let you know Ronford Baker Tripods can be supplied with either an Integral Ground Spreader or Off Ground Spreader. This applies to all models, Lightweight, Medium and Heavy Duty models.

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.

 

[Vladimir Eugene]

Hi Eric, just to let you know Ronford Baker Tripods can be supplied with either an Integral Ground Spreader or Off Ground Spreader. This applies to all models, Lightweight, Medium and Heavy Duty models.

I'm glad you're here. What are the max payloads for the Medium duty, and light duty tripod. Does the payload change if the spreader is mid-level, or ground level.

 

[Ryan Glater]

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

 

[Mitch Gross]

Just caught up to this thread.

Abel Cine Tech sells the Ronford-Baker product line (we also sell Sachtler, OConnor, Miller, etc.). The Ronford legs are industry standard; you'll never go wrong buying their product. We just showed the Ronford Atlas head at Cine Gear -- that head is a real thing of beauty.

 

[Ketch Rossi]

Hi Ketch, Ronford Baker Heavy & Medium Duty tripods can be supplied with a Mitchell fitting and Off Ground Spreader.

Thanks for the info Ryan,

is great to have the info provided, as I like Eric, had no idea of this, your site does need major overhauling ;~), but now that I have this info I will seriously consider a Ronford.

Just caught up to this thread.

Abel Cine Tech sells the Ronford-Baker product line (we also sell Sachtler, OConnor, Miller, etc.). The Ronford legs are industry standard; you'll never go wrong buying their product. We just showed the Ronford Atlas head at Cine Gear -- that head is a real thing of beauty.

Good to know Mitch, will be making a decision soon, also for sure depending on what happens with Red's FF, I will order the CFF-1, really great system from O'connor, Kudos to them.