Why I Love Fluid Head's Part II: Connect Your Camera
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- Опубликовано: 17 сен 2017
- See my 2019 Updated Fluid Head Video here: • Approaching the Scene ...
I've had a lot of people asking me how to best attach their still camera to a new fluid head. I created this short video on how the fluid head, tripod and camera connect. Links to every product I highlight are here: www.hudsonhenry.com/atslinks
Let me know if you have any further questions. 
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Thank you, Hudson, for making this video. I bought your setup and can't be happier. Rock solid setup. I'm getting sharper images. I don't think I could ever go back to a ball head.
Excellent information! Answered all the questions I had when researching fluid pan head. Thank you!
Hi Hudson,
Thanks to you, I am a fluid head convert! With an L bracket (coming soon) I can’t see anything quicker and simpler! Like you, I like the fact that once levelled, everything you do is square and true.
Funny how how many stills shooters who vlog, don’t get the advantages of a bowl, or levelling tripod for all situations.
I got the Manfrotto X PRO-2W, small and light, smooth, and good adjustability. Recommend it highly. I too use an ARCA clamp atop an RC2 plate.
Now looking at the Leofoto LS 324CEX, self levelling carbon sticks. Total weight should be just under 5.0 lbs....
This video really answered a lot of questions for me like how am I going to orient my camera correctly using an L bracket when the QR faces the wrong way. Thanks for posting this, it helped me get the right gear ordered.
So glad it helped!
Thank you so much for this extremely valuable information. I very much appreciate it.
these setups are great for people with big budgets. We need to see videos on these sets for the average person.
Hugely helpful! Thanks so much, Hudson. 💛
Well, I originally bought the Manfrotto 502AH video head for my tripod and was going to be content using the Manfrotto quick release plate system, but after receiving it, I realized that it may be too big for my needs. So I purchased the Manfrotto 500AH video head and it better suits my Sony a7 II camera. Since this Manfrotto plate is not compatible with their quick release system, I decided to go Arca-Swiss style clamps, L bracket (this is really invaluable), and plate for my long lens. I have to say that I am quick satisfied with the practical functionality of it and how I can quickly mount the camera vertically (especially for panos) or horizontally with any lenses on my tripod or video stabilizer. In fact, I bought the exact Arca-Swiss style plate adapters and clamps that you mentioned in your blog post. Thank you for your help on my purchase!! It is nice to have one head for both photos and video.
Hey Nate, I am looking at the 502ah also, Not for Photo but for my Spotting scope, so how is the weight and stability ??? please advise.
For Part III I think it it would be helpful to see how all the parts are added to this set up for both simple and complex panorama shots.
I had mine before your video but your video did remind me to resume using it; thanks!!!
Kudos for this. I never did any photography that needed a tripod until very recently. I was even somewhat opposed to the idea. But I decided to give it a go. When I geared up I pretty much followed your model exactly, using the version with the Acratech levelling adapter, in my case on an old heavy pro aluminum Manfrotto. It works great. Changed my universe. I like how there are possibilities to use it as sort of a gimbal, and I like that it's also great for video. Genius. I appreciate this follow-up video too because I wasn't quite clear on the details of the clamp within the clamp (within the clamp). But it all makes sense now.
It's noteworthy to me that we hear messages all day that the gear doesn't matter. I understand the idea - just get out there with whatever, practice, etc. But in this case this very specific (and relatively inexpensive) gear choice has made a huge difference for me. So Thanks!
Cool. I'll add one thing: I have a minor variation based on my uses and lenses. I only own one lens with a collar and foot. I'm using the L Bracket 90% of the time. So I leave the bigger clamp set up to take the L Bracket. The bigger clamp is marginally less fiddly. Then I leave the smaller clamp permanently on the foot of the lens with the collar, ready to clamp into the bigger clamp. Same general idea. Works great!
Thank you for this video! Answers spot on my question on how to put a tele lens with arca swiss mount on a Manfrotto head.
Check out my latest thoughts and tweaks at www.hudsonhenry.com/tripods
Great presentation (both parts 1 and 2) - I just switched from a ballhead to a geared head for my real estate photography and feel liberated - I had been wasting a ton of time and frustrating, tedious effort trying to re-level both axis simultaneously every time I moved to a new shot.
This fluid head is a compelling general option. I'm sure I'll pick up all those goodies, soon. Thanks-
You bet Mike. Be sure to check out the more recently updated vid from this year on my feed. I think it's ATS002. It has some more developed thoughts on how to attach the camera.
You sold me on video heads for wildlife and landscape👍
www.hudsonhenry.com/tripods thats way more up to date. :)
Nice review of your setup, Hudson! Another method for attaching a camera with L bracket and lens mount is to use one of the swivelling quick releases brackets. RRS have them, although expensive. I believe Amazon also has a Chinese version that is cheaper.
Great followup, thank you. I'm buying a video/photography setup from scratch, camera, tripod, and all. Your two videos gave me the solution I needed for fluid motion, easy setup, and portrait photography.
Make sure you check out the update I did this last year. Look for ATS001 on fluid heads in my feed
I will for sure. Thanks for the quick reply. Have you tried the new Gitzo 2 Way Fluid Head by any chance? That's another head I'm considering.
@@andreawunderlich7130 I'm not a big fan of that one. It's more expensive, less polished and holds a lot less weight. I think you'd be much happier with a 500AH despite it weighing 8oz more. :-) If you want to go light, then I'd look at this one. (I can't vouch, but it looks interesting and I'd love to try it) bhpho.to/2C7pgxy
Thanks! That's good to know. The gear research is just as exciting as using it afterward :) Thanks again for your informative content.
Just did the switch and I like it a lot. I am interested in your setup for multiple row panoramas on a fluid head. Could you please tell me the parts you use and a tip or two.
Clear as day. Thanks very much.
Thanks Peter. Make sure you check out the even more recent one: ruclips.net/video/j1h8YrcjtjY/видео.html
Great info! Thanks!
great video
Well done I’m a fairly new photographer but cheap wanting diamonds for dollars guy my first 2 heads were the 500 and 502 ah I’ve been into wildlife 5 years now a just bought my first gimbal kinda dumb but it wasn’t high end I never watched your first video but the dampeners for panning and tilt are my most valued aspect of the heads as I shoot 7 to 8 pound lenses to note with over 11 pounds on the head it still performs like a champ keep teaching buddy and thanks
Thanks man. Check out the later Fluid Head vid I did here: ruclips.net/video/MIJY88-wcoM/видео.html
Thanks for this tutorial,
Looking around the web I don't believe induro makes that leveling piece anymore. It's backordered everywhere and not even listed on induro's own website. A shame, looks like a very solid piece.
I bought this kit in the uk got a tamron 70-200mm lens and the collar foot on the tamron tripod collar/lens mount is neither 1/4" or 3/8". Going to an engineer with a lathe to make a 3/8" thread in the tamron collar as the size is between 1/4 and 3/8". ball ache
Awesome video fluid head i just bough mine 1hr ago and am so happy to use it very soon thats why i am watching your video, sub'd and liked
Thanks so much! They rock right?
Hudson Henry Photography oh yeah I’ll make a mini video review on the video head soon
Pulling my hairout trying to find a solution; thank you!
This may sound like a silly question but if I already have manfrotto gear, do I still need to buy all of the extra clamps?
Have you tried the fluid head in combination with manfrotto tripod with center colomn that can go vertical like manfrotto mt190 or mt055. That might be a good alternative to L brackets. maybe.
I am actually looking for my first real tripod now. Was thinking of what head to use. fluid head seems interesting.
Do you have any experience with 90% degree angle / table top photography like shots from above with a head like this?
I am guessing a horizontal center colomn feature will be required.
Also what brands of fluid head do you recommend? are there any differences?
I was not planning on buying all kinds of convertion brackets by the way. because then it kinds of defeats te purpose of buying a fluid head in the first place.
Love your videos. I use the Manfrotto 394 Low Profile Quick Release Adapter with 410PL Plate...
I simply put one 410PL plate on my camera(s) and then multiple 394 Low Profile Quick Release adapters on the tripod, monopod, etc, etc.
Seems like a less convoluted way to me. What am I missing?
Hudson Henry
Got it, thanks.
A few tips for anyone else looking to get this setup:
1) If you are JUST using an L bracket, you can get away with buying only the Haoge CP-64 (don't need to buy the Neewer DC-38Q too). Make sure it is the Haoge with the LONG screw arm. Mount it with the screw arm at the back of the Manfrotto plate and the alignment is the same as the Neewer with Hudsons setup. The only downside is that you can only position the Haoge from the centre point of the Manfrotto plate backwards (can't have the Haoge mounted near the front of the Manfrotto plate). The screw knob is a wider diameter than the base plate and will impact the Manfrotto plate unless the knob is overhanging it.
2) Same as 1, except using the Neewer. You could get away with using JUST the Neewer, which is cheaper and lighter, but it has to be positioned right at the back of the Manfrotto plate so that the screw doesn't impact the plate. Depending on your camera and lens set-up, you might not get enough movement out of the Manfrotto plate alone, in order to get a satisfactory point of balance.
3) Using Hudsons setup, whilst being the most expensive (and heaviest) option, gives the most versatility for mounting options and locations. It ensures the knobs never collide with the Manfrotto plate, meaning the full length of the plate can be used. Plus you can mix and match mounting options depending on your requirements at the time. You could probably go with the short screw arm version of the Haoge plate using this setup, as it would be a tiny bit cheaper, lighter and lower profile - although then you lose the option for using setup 1, above. There is another benefit from using this setup which is that the Haoge plate has 2 cut-outs in the base which can allow a more secure connection to the Manfrotto plate. You could even use the supplied locating pin from the Manfrotto plate to prevent inadvertent rotation of the Haoge plate (the Haoge does need to be positioned towards the front of the Manfrotto plate for this setup though).
4) You don't need a levelling adapter or ball system to get the head level - you just need to be prepared to piddle about adjusting the length of each of the tripod legs individually. Obviously a levelling adapter is great if you have it, and saves a lot of time and aggro (gets more precise results quicker), but if you want to save money or weight and can afford to spend the time setting up, then you can do without it.
You really should watch this much newer video : ruclips.net/video/Ei8XYK5Cz-k/видео.html the Kirk bridge adapter with the nodal rail is the best set up yet and much lighter and more versatile. Then this tall set of legs and systematic leveling adapter ruclips.net/video/fKjchwMSu7Y/видео.html are cheaper, lighter and better than anything I've used before. The latest system is also much simpler to set up. :) The key for anyone is always to go to www.hudsonhenry.com/atslinks where I constantly update my links to reflect the best system available.
Hello Hudson and happy new year! Nice system you have there! Can you please link the arca swiss rail that you have on the foot of the long lens? Specifically I am interested for an arca swiss rail that fits on the Canon 70-200 2.8 L II lens. Thank you very much!
That one is a dedicated Kirk Collar for the Nikon 300 F4. www.kirkphoto.com/lens-mounting.html/?id=39
Hudson and folks, I just bought a Sirui T-2205X with a Sirui K-20X ball head. From your video, i got the WRONG gear =) since its not a bowl tripod. Anyhow, I am determined to make it play along anyways. This without going 2x my budget. What do you think about mounting the Manfrotto 500AH on top of the ball head? That way i could level it out without using the legs. I might loose some stability.. but hey; it might add some wierd flexibility =) I tried to see if Google could serve me with some experiments like this, but no luck so far.
Thank you Hudson for this video. I’m very new to this and have bought the Manfrotto fluid head, I have a Nikon P1000 and when I try to attach it the camera slides up and down and I can’t tighten it enough to stop it. Is there a way of stopping this??
Good video. I've been using a Sachtler FSB-8 for years. I started to FOMO when I see so many people using Gimbal mounts. As I started to watch various videos extolling the virtues of the Gimbal mounts I kept asking myself is that better than what I'm currently using? And, the answer was no. In fact, a Gimbal, IMHO, isn't as good. Of course YMMV. I'll stick with my current setup.
I love my FSB-6, but it's heavy. Not as heavy as your's but heavy. This is a VERY old video, check out what I'm carrying these days. www.hudsonhenry.com/tripods 7 pounds with 70" legs and a fluid head. I agree on the Gimbal vs Fluid head thoughts 100%
For that smaller clamp (with dovetail), has that Hoage brand been secure and reliable?
Yes, but I've rethought the clamps. Check it out my much more recent ATS fluid head video for the optimum setup. Either ATS 1 or 2.
Hi Hudson, I like your video, and also could you telling me what is your Adapter Mount for Quick Release Plate ? Thank you
I've got a much updated system for that using a modification Kirk designed with my input. You can see it at my gear links :www.hudsonhenry.com/atslinks
Hey Hudson,
How many sections does our Enduro tripod has ?
Do you feel confortable in travelling around with it or it's to heavy to be a general purpose tripod?
Do you get a confortable viewfinder eye level when the camera is mounted on it, or do you have to lower your body?
Before buying my fluid head from Manfrotto and passing to a friend my befree tripod, those are the questions that are troubling me most.
Take care and let me know.:)
Hey TM,
It has 3 leg sections (two locks). It goes to a bit higher than eye level for me (6 foot). It doesn't fold as small as some other tripods with more sections, but I just carry a long duffle to check it on airlines. It's my everyday all purpose setup and it would be hard to go with anything lighter or shorter for me personally after being used to it. :-)
Gitzo just released their fluid gimbal head GHFG1, which automatically applies friction in response to slow panning movements and removes friction when you move it quickly for wildlife photography. Wonder what you think about it? Thanks~ :)
Thanks for your tip! I was wondering why almost no one on the internet discusses using gimbal heads for video work. I was guessing if it's due to absence of the fluid cartridges common on video heads. I understand the 4X price and half-a-kg heavier compared to the 500AH. I'm willing to give this new release a try to see how "awkward" it could be though. Worse case is to return it.
If you don't mind, could you elaborate a bit more regarding how "awkward" and "gets in the way" can gimbal heads (supposedly with the same fluid pan/tilt-drag capabilities) be compared to video fluid heads? What kind of normal tasks would gimbal heads screw up? The ability to vertically tilt the lens to the ground (I would appreciate that gimbal arms limit the tilt arc)? 🤔
I must confess that I'm coming from stills and am only starting to take an interest in video work. Just wanted to future-proof myself by getting the best possible gear in place for any potential videography.
Great video. Any comments about other makers such as Milibo? Thanks.
There are a lot of wonderful fluid heads from Sachtler (which i often use when weight doesn't matter) to Cartoni. The thing that's great about the 500AH is that it weighs just 2 pounds, has nice fluid action, is durable and so affordable. Haven't found an alternative. If you check my feed, there's a much updated fluid head video. I think it's ATS1.
Hi, Uk resident here :)
For hiking and travelling, is the following tripod any good to use with the Manfrotto head you mention? (Not sure I could hike carrying your monster :D)
Leofoto Ranger LS-284CEX Carbon Fibre Tripod with Levelling Base
Seems to have a level built in plus a little more affordable. I’m 5’6” so this shorter tripod won’t be an issue for me however not sure if the legs are sturdy enough? Also, can you suggetst the best Arca Swiss plates to attach to a one screw foot Nikkor 200-500mm f5.6 and a two screw foot Nikkor 70-200 F2.8 lenses?
Finally, I guess there are only 2 small draw backs with this set up? No arm to extend horizontally for the odd (rare) times there’s a reuirement for an overhang (too unstable anyway so should avoid at all times :) ) and those rare occasions where a ball head comes in handy for situations where 15 degree isn’t enough when legs can’t be positioned any other way?
Thank you again for the great videos!
Great questions. You'll find the 284CEX listed in my links. I carry it a lot. www.hudsonhenry.com/atslinks That said, I prefer the Acratech head on that little guy. I have a lot of updated support links from when this older video was made. The height isn't about your height. It's about setting up on a steep hill and dropping a leg way down to stay up at eye level, or being able to set up on a low wall with a leg on the ground to shoot over foliage, or on a rock in the river with a foot in the stream, or... a million things you'd never know you're missing with a tripod shorter than 79 inches. ;-)
Can you use a RRS lever clamp instead of the screw clamp? Thanks.
Pretty cool set up Hudson. I have "somewhat" of the same type of set up except with a cheapo WallyWorld tripod and fake fluid video head that actually works half way decent.....except theres no leveling base and I'm always fiddling with the tripod legs to get level which is a pain in the a**.
I think I'll now upgrade my spare Manfrotto 290 legs to your set up as your video made me jealous and also made me realize this WallyWorld set up I am using is actually a piece of junk! LOL
Sunwayfoto makes a really nice (and cheap) levelling base www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/886344-REG/Sunwayfoto_DYH_66i_Leveling_Base.html
Will it work with a manfrotto mono pod for stills and video ?
What head is That? Id like to copy u for obvious reasons. Thanks
I want the grav-lev version of this, that'll follow me around...
Well given that my latest 79 inch version is under 7 pounds total including the leveling adapter, you might be better carrying it and grav-leving the camera bag instead. ;-) Every workshop student who tries it says "wow! that's a lot lighter than I thought" and then after a shoot using it... "I've got to get one of these." No complaints from my hundreds of converts yet. :-) See it: ruclips.net/video/fKjchwMSu7Y/видео.html
@@HudsonHenryPhoto haha that is a good point. Though I tend to not carry a camera bag. There are limits, you know ;-) besides the 20mm on the camera, I only carry a 35mm pancake in a coat pocket.
Maybe I buy a donkey soon, with a saddle bag. They are also great at defending you.
acrytyx what please?
Arcteryx? Epic Canadian outdoor clothing manufacturer? This video is very dated btw. Check out www.hudsonhenry.com/tripods for my current thoughts and builds.