503 or 516?

bcheong

bcheong

Well-known member
I'm debating whether I should purchase a Manfrotto 516 or 503 head? I would be mounting the camera at minimum with mattebox w/ lightweight support, battery and tape. Occasionally I would add follow focus. I was looking at this counterbalance graph that Manfrotto had in one of their catalogues and it seems the 516 would be better but I wanted to get some first hand opinions.
 
Re: 503 or 516?

I'd go with the 503. The 516 is designed for a bigger payload. I think the 503 "feels" like it could handle a lot more than the basic DVX (it's so light!) so even with a matte box you'd be okay. I want resistance but don't want to have to fight the head.
 
Re: 503 or 516?

I use the Vinten equivalent of the 501 (i.e., it's written "Vinten" all over the thing but the small print engraving reads "Manfrotto" ;)) and it's perfect with the cam, the 5.4 Ah battery, a shotgun mic and a wireless receiver. It's a pleasure to use.

The total weight is under 2.5 kilos and the head is specified for up to 6 kilos, so there's a big margin there.
 
Re: 503 or 516?

I use the 503... I even overload it sometimes by using the dvx fully loaded on a teleprompter, and it's hasn't failed me yet. (yet).
 
Re: 503 or 516?

How much weight do you think you're packing on there Kai? I'm not so worried about overall payload. I think the 503 is capable of what I need. My concern was the counterbalance info of the 503 and tilting. Can the 503 support 13-15lb when tilting or will I be fighting to tilt up and down? I will try to post those counterbalance graphs from Manfrottos catalogue.

Thanks
 
Re: 503 or 516?

Ok let me see if I can get this posting images right.

The first graph is info for the 503 head. The second is for the 516. I was at an equipment dealer yesterday and we were assuming COG (center of gravity) was in around 110mm and a payload of around 6kg. The guy explained to me that basically everything on the left side of the red line was in spec and everything on the right would be out of spec for the head to handle. Once again this is counterbalance for tilting not overall payload.

503info.jpg



516info.jpg



What do you guys think? I guess most importantly is how it actually feels on the head. Unfortunately I have yet to find anyone with a head I can try it with.

Thanks.
 
Re: 503 or 516?

Will add at very least 4x5.65 matte box and light weight support with 1-2 filters. Depending on the project/budget will add follow focus. I've estimated that would come in around 10-11lb with just matte box and 13-14 lb with follow focus. If I'm reading these charts correctly the 503 will struggle a bit counterbalancing while tilting with that kind of load capacity.
 
Re: 503 or 516?

Barry,

I had to weigh a friend's Beta rig the other day for use on my jib. The remote control head is rated to 20 lbs.

He has a Sony D50 w/dockable BVV5 Beta deck which makes for a rather large and heavy rig.

Anyhow, camera, deck, 2/3" Fuji lens w/extender, camera plate, NP battery, tape, and wireless receivers all totalled weighed only 17 lbs.

I could be wrong in that I don't have the DVX accessories you've mentioned... so I can't weigh them.

But, it's hard to imagine that even with those accessories attached, your rig would be anywhere near 14 lbs.

Can anyone with those accessories chime in?

Anyhow, it's good that you're checking the specs so carefully.

As I'm sure you're aware, the 516 (rated to 22 lbs.) is about $200 more than the 503 (rated to 16 lbs.).

If money is not a concern, you might check into some more expensive fluid heads... like a Sachtler, Miller, Vinten, O'Connor, etc.

TL
 
Re: 503 or 516?

with a arri 6x6 box and Cine follow focus, cheese plate, bench riser and 5 6x6 filters on the DVX with the anamorphic adapter the rig weighed 20 pounds.
 
Re: 503 or 516?

Thanks for the reply guys. I'm not entirely sure of the weight yet myself as I'm still in the process of ordering all this stuff.

With Jarred's approximation of 20lb I can imagine my setup would be in and around 12-13lb. At 12-13lb that would fit into the 503 spec for overall payload. I guess I'm still wondering about the counterbalance. If in fact the C.O.G for the camera is 110mm from the plate the 503 looks like it can only counterbalance just over 3kg (7lb). I did wonder last night if maybe you don't need to take into account the entire payload with counterbalance?

Could someone possibly explain this?

P.S - Not to get off topic but I went to check out the Petroff matte boxes and their new DV light weight support the other day. They look great! Good build quality. I caught wind of some really great stuff that Petroff is planning to do in the near future as well. Planning on renting one soon before I actually buy..will post an in depth review when I do.
 
Re: 503 or 516?

Wow, Jarred! That's a H E A V Y rig.

Seems like some smart manufacturer should make some of the heavier items out of carbon fibre for the DVX.
 
Re: 503 or 516?

yes... and poor Todd had to handhold the thing

Todd.jpg
 
Re: 503 or 516?

I've seen that image posted elsewhere on this site.

I thought that was you. Apparently, it is your rig... but, who is Todd?
 
Re: 503 or 516?

jarred, what type of shoulder mount is that? does it work similar to the dvrigpro?
 
Re: 503 or 516?

It doesn't appear to be mounted to his shoulder at all.

It appears to be supported by both hands and an eyeball! ;)
 
Re: 503 or 516?

That's Todd.. my good friend who is also a DP, we made the Filter test DVD ( http://www.dvxuser.com/articles/dvd/) together as well. That shoulder rig is a towel under his shirt.. seriously.

The riser plate you see under the camera is needed to raise the QR plate so it can still attatch to a tripod head without interference with the rods (we use a 35mm size Sachtler head with that rig)
 
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