Yup. You can adjust the tension of the pan by twisting the pan lock knob and it adds resistance for a slower and smoother pan. Some have complained that it becomes jerky when you do that, but that's only if you tighten it too much. Also, the tilt lock works just as well as a drag adjuster so when you tilt it stays there - unlike the 502, which bounces back. Speaking of the 502, its the ergonomics are just plain awkward. The pan lock is at the front and away from the user and the tilt lock is on the right hand side, which is very counter intuitive, especially for a rightie like me. The locks on the 500 are where they should be - at the back and to the left. So, all in all, for a DSLR or micro 4/3 camera the 500 is the one to get. Finally, if you look at Cheesycam's video he also shows how easy it is to fit a shoulder-rig on the 500 head, because it clips into place. But it's impossible to do that with the 502, because it's a sliding plate only. The only way to clip a shoulder rig on a tripod with a 502 head is to buy a separate mounting system that fits on top. Oh dear.
@@eamonnmcloughlin129 i didnt know shoulder rig doesnt fit 502?? oh god.. i just thinking 502 because you know 500 is eeee.. thats 500.. everybody takes 502.. After all i changed my idea after this video.. and cant use rig in 502.. again wtf??
I totally agree with your assessment. It's the perfect size for photography and mirrorless cameras. Once I got used to it... I put away my ball head...I put away my Gimbal. The Fluid head does it all. I can shoot video with it...landscapes..panoramics...macro...wildlife and birds in flight. Nice to just have ONE piece of equipment to do everything. It stays on my tripod...24/7. One less thing.
Very well presented review. Would be useful to see start and stop of the tripod. We normally use very large tripods but are looking for an ultra light and this is about as lightweight as it gets.
OK you are one of the best if not the best gear reviewer I've found. This is exactly what a prospective buyer ( =me) needs to know: not too much info, not too little, clearly presented, no fluff. I wish I could give you multiple thumbs up.... THANK you.
I use this head with a replacement Arca-Swiss clamp bridge made by Kirk which is ideal for cameras equipped with A-S L brackets. It is lighter and less bulky. Combined with Kirk’s nodal rail it works great for stitched panoramas and balancing long lenses.
The Manfrotto 128RC is a great fluid head, just the right size for DSLR cameras and smaller camcorders. I have it paired with the 190XB legs. Sturdy, but small enough and lightweight enough to easily carry around.
Wow bro great video my question to you is if you had the choice to buy one would you get the 500 or 502 I'm shooting my kids basketball and Dance events and I'm looking for one to upgrade my game i just ordered the xpro carbon 5 section manfrotto monopod
Been using this head for a while and, for me, its been fine although I havent tried any others to compare it to. I have mainly used it for stills with a canon 40d and video with a Canon 5d3 and XA40 although I am about to recieve a C100 so I dont know how it will be with the heavier cinema camera. Just be mindfull that the little release screw for the quick release plate has quite a loose thread and can rattle itself free on long walks. I would suggest putting a very small amount of grease or similar on the thread and getting into the habit of screwing it back in everytime you have finished shooting to avoid a show stopper.
Extremely helpful review, many thanks for this as I was doubting between the MVH502AH and MVH500AH and as others have mentioned, you saved me 40 Euro's :-).
There's a solution, for the reduced fluid drag in the heat of summer: Find Manfrotto's teardown instructions, drain the fluid into a clean plastic bottle and fill the 500AH with Nutella, which will raise drag back up to desired levels and beyond. And when Winter comes around, you'll be happy to consume the Nutella to keep you warm. You still have that plastic bottle, right?
Thanks for your review! I'm wondering how i can test this video head (I just bought from Amazon Warehouse) without a tripod with me.... Right now, i observed that the red drag ring only turns 90 degree and not more than that. Is it NORMAL when it's not the video head is not connected to a tripod?
okay, but assuming this goes on top of the Mantfrotto tripod, do I lost any function of my original tri pod? For e.g., I can rotate in any direction at any angles?
Once you're done with the slider or jib, you should be able to unscrew the head and put it right back on the tripod. Not all tripods have separate heads, but if they do, you can unscrew them and reattach them all you want. The rotation comes from the head, so all your pan and tilt abilities should still be the same.
Unfortunately doesn't look like it. The Ravelli AVTP has a fixed head, meaning you cannot mount a fluid head properly on it. You only have a 1/4" tripod mount for a camera.
You would just unscrew it from your tripod, and attach it to your dolly/jibs. It has a 3/8" thread on the bottom, so you can attach it to anything with a 3/8" screw.
It is a mechanism that provides mechanical advantage, so in other words, if a camera is very heavy, it will make it feel like the camera isn't as heavy as it actually is for easier use.
The Befree tripod comes with a fixed ball head that has a 1/4" mount. You cannot directly mount the 500AH onto that, but you could do so with an adapter, however it won't be sturdy and the threads will most likely get damaged because the fluid head is heavy.
The Flying Eagle buy the Manfrotto MTO55XPRO3 tripod. It is a really good tripod, with a 3/8" thread and a payload of 9 kg. It is available for about $200.
What do you guys think? Is the 500AH a good purchase in 2017?
Yup. You can adjust the tension of the pan by twisting the pan lock knob and it adds resistance for a slower and smoother pan. Some have complained that it becomes jerky when you do that, but that's only if you tighten it too much. Also, the tilt lock works just as well as a drag adjuster so when you tilt it stays there - unlike the 502, which bounces back.
Speaking of the 502, its the ergonomics are just plain awkward.
The pan lock is at the front and away from the user and the tilt lock is on the right hand side, which is very counter intuitive, especially for a rightie like me.
The locks on the 500 are where they should be - at the back and to the left.
So, all in all, for a DSLR or micro 4/3 camera the 500 is the one to get.
Finally, if you look at Cheesycam's video he also shows how easy it is to fit a shoulder-rig on the 500 head, because it clips into place. But it's impossible to do that with the 502, because it's a sliding plate only. The only way to clip a shoulder rig on a tripod with a 502 head is to buy a separate mounting system that fits on top. Oh dear.
It better be. I'm about to buy one today to replace a stolen HDV701.
It'll be worth it. Trust me.
Combine it with some nice carbon fibre legs and you’ve got some nice gear
@@eamonnmcloughlin129 i didnt know shoulder rig doesnt fit 502?? oh god.. i just thinking 502 because you know 500 is eeee.. thats 500.. everybody takes 502.. After all i changed my idea after this video.. and cant use rig in 502.. again wtf??
I totally agree with your assessment. It's the perfect size for photography and mirrorless cameras. Once I got used to it... I put away my ball head...I put away my Gimbal. The Fluid head does it all. I can shoot video with it...landscapes..panoramics...macro...wildlife and birds in flight. Nice to just have ONE piece of equipment to do everything. It stays on my tripod...24/7. One less thing.
Me too, I don't know why more people don't do this, it feels natural and easy to use.
I love hearing you speak! Beautiful diction and vocabulary!
Thanks Ted, stay tuned for more videos.
@@Channel8eight the 502 is now $10 more....is it worth $10 to upgrade? Or is the 500 still better would you say? great video
Very well presented review. Would be useful to see start and stop of the tripod. We normally use very large tripods but are looking for an ultra light and this is about as lightweight as it gets.
OK you are one of the best if not the best gear reviewer I've found. This is exactly what a prospective buyer ( =me) needs to know: not too much info, not too little, clearly presented, no fluff. I wish I could give you multiple thumbs up.... THANK you.
I use this head with a replacement Arca-Swiss clamp bridge made by Kirk which is ideal for cameras equipped with A-S L brackets. It is lighter and less bulky. Combined with Kirk’s nodal rail it works great for stitched panoramas and balancing long lenses.
Very clear and concise commentary. It gave me the facts I need. I liked that there was no showboating. Just the facts. Excellent.
I’ve already got one, but your great review could make me buy another!
Thanks for your excellent video which helped me to decide for the Manfrotto 500AH!
Excellent review. Full of information yet concise. Great job!
thanks for the review mate very helpful.
The Manfrotto 128RC is a great fluid head, just the right size for DSLR cameras and smaller camcorders. I have it paired with the 190XB legs. Sturdy, but small enough and lightweight enough to easily carry around.
Thank you so much for your review! Very helpful and on point!
Great video, thanks so much for the straight forward and thorough review buddy!
What an awesome review video!
Wow bro great video my question to you is if you had the choice to buy one would you get the 500 or 502 I'm shooting my kids basketball and Dance events and I'm looking for one to upgrade my game i just ordered the xpro carbon 5 section manfrotto monopod
Been using this head for a while and, for me, its been fine although I havent tried any others to compare it to.
I have mainly used it for stills with a canon 40d and video with a Canon 5d3 and XA40 although I am about to recieve a C100 so I dont know how it will be with the heavier cinema camera.
Just be mindfull that the little release screw for the quick release plate has quite a loose thread and can rattle itself free on long walks.
I would suggest putting a very small amount of grease or similar on the thread and getting into the habit of screwing it back in everytime you have finished shooting to avoid a show stopper.
Dude! Great video, everything I needed to know and more. Thank you. Just picked one up used. Cheers!
Wonderful video, great review and amazing production quality!
Really great review! Complete and comprehensive. Just what I wanted! Thanks!
Extremely helpful review, many thanks for this as I was doubting between the MVH502AH and MVH500AH and as others have mentioned, you saved me 40 Euro's :-).
Very well done, thank you for your review.
Really good review !
Excellent video-Thanks!
Great video, thanks for your effort!
Thanks for the great review. Can i mount this head on my 055?
There's a solution, for the reduced fluid drag in the heat of summer:
Find Manfrotto's teardown instructions, drain the fluid into a clean plastic bottle and fill the 500AH with Nutella, which will raise drag back up to desired levels and beyond.
And when Winter comes around, you'll be happy to consume the Nutella to keep you warm.
You still have that plastic bottle, right?
seriously?
woaw thank you so much, great video, you saved me $60
The Manfrotto head looks fine, but your tripod seems a bit unstable and shaky
Buen trabajo.
If the price difference between the 500AH and 502AH is 2x (502 AH is costing me twice as much), does it still make it worth for the fluid control?
No, not at all. Save the cash and go for the 500.
Superb review. Thanks.
Great video
How does this mount to a tripod? I only have one with an M10 mounting point.
Thanks for your review! I'm wondering how i can test this video head (I just bought from Amazon Warehouse) without a tripod with me.... Right now, i observed that the red drag ring only turns 90 degree and not more than that. Is it NORMAL when it's not the video head is not connected to a tripod?
do you know what is the use of that gum-nipple inside the slider-plate (not shown in your video)?
My model hasn't got a panning button like the one you showed I must loosen screw to pan
How does the Sirui VH-10 fluid head compare?
Thanks good video
does the plate take arca swiss L brackets
I don't understand what this is. I already have a Mantfrotto tri pod. What's the benefit of having this instead of using my tripod?
If you wanted to use a slider or jib, you could use this head on it, for example...
okay, but assuming this goes on top of the Mantfrotto tripod, do I lost any function of my original tri pod? For e.g., I can rotate in any direction at any angles?
Once you're done with the slider or jib, you should be able to unscrew the head and put it right back on the tripod. Not all tripods have separate heads, but if they do, you can unscrew them and reattach them all you want. The rotation comes from the head, so all your pan and tilt abilities should still be the same.
Could this fluid head fit in a Ravelli AVTP tripod? Also, what tripod would you recommend to go with this video head???
Unfortunately doesn't look like it. The Ravelli AVTP has a fixed head, meaning you cannot mount a fluid head properly on it. You only have a 1/4" tripod mount for a camera.
And what tripod would you recommend for the 502 video fluid head? I'm between the 550XPRO3 and the 290XTA3 ....
What is the large screw hole for ?
you can screw on some additional equipment like sun-protection or Atomos Ninja etc.
I just bought mine and it cant pan
If we attach this head to the Manfrotto MTO55XPRO3 tripod, will it be detached to use it with dolly/jibs ? And if it can, how ?
I'm not sure I understand what you mean. You want to use the head on some tripod legs and then on a dolly or jib?
Channel 8 yes.
You would just unscrew it from your tripod, and attach it to your dolly/jibs. It has a 3/8" thread on the bottom, so you can attach it to anything with a 3/8" screw.
Can we perform really fast pans and tilts ? Can they only perform medium and low paced pans and tilts?
You cannot perform really fast movements unfortunately. Maybe during the summer, but in winter it’s not even close to being possible.
Channel 8 thanks!
What is the meaning of a counterbalance spring ?
It is a mechanism that provides mechanical advantage, so in other words, if a camera is very heavy, it will make it feel like the camera isn't as heavy as it actually is for easier use.
Channel 8 thanks !
Can I put a MVH500AH on a Manfrotto Befree?
The Befree tripod comes with a fixed ball head that has a 1/4" mount. You cannot directly mount the 500AH onto that, but you could do so with an adapter, however it won't be sturdy and the threads will most likely get damaged because the fluid head is heavy.
Oh, ok... so what do you suggest me?
Any tripod legs with a 3/8" thread mount.
The Flying Eagle buy the Manfrotto MTO55XPRO3 tripod. It is a really good tripod, with a 3/8" thread and a payload of 9 kg. It is available for about $200.
How about now in 2018??
Would still buy it today for sure, no regrets.
@@Channel8eight what about the 502ah?
MF290 is the best and for $80 bucks from best buy.
OH WAIT THIS IS JUST THE HEAD ALONE? I dont got that money
Same here Hahahah
What u get instead ?
Genial.
Manfrotto is overrated. Get Satchler.
Great video as always!
Dreamframer Photography Thanks Ivan, appreciate it 😅
Thanks good review bro