Manfrotto 501 vs. 503

jeffmiller

jeffmiller

Active member
Manfrotto 501 vs. 503 Fluid head
Anyone have an opinion on which one to go with? It's about $125 difference. Currently shooting with the DVX100b.:thumbup:
 
503 - because you're worth it!!

seriously though - it is an update and there is probably not too much in it. I just got the 503 kit and I think it was mainly because there was not a 501 to try out.....
I am pretty sure the 501 owners are not going to be "upgrading" for any reason in the world.

My advice - save the $125 and work on the 501.....
 
I have a 501 and I would say its not good for anything serious. Its not smooth at all and i seriously doubt if its a real fuild head. if you want to buy for just trying out something (like i did) then i would say its ok other wise for serious stuff both 501/503 are not good. You can search this site and find many good examples of fuild heads that work well.

just my 2 cents

Cheers,

-Kris
 
i got the 501 and my only complaint is that it doesnt have a balance spring... so once you tilt forward a bit, the camera tends to "fall" under its own weight.. you can compensate a bit by adjusting the drag or the camera position but its a pain.. the new 501dv or whatever manfrotto is calling it seems to fix this issue w/ a balance spring but no idea the cost yet
 
Yep, the 503 is a fluid head. Not a very good one (I have it), but one with a very good cost/benefit ratio. The 501 is not a fluid head and that's why I wouldn't recommend it.
 
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