503HDV or 501HDV fluid head?

droliff

droliff

Active member
Hi all,

I am putting together my video kit and would like some opinions on the Manfrotto 501 vs. 503 fluid tripod heads. The 503 is much more expensive but it is also engineered to support more weight. My HMC40 is fairly light so I'm wondering if I'd get just as smooth of movements with the 501? I'll be sticking this head on a set of bogen 3050 sticks that I've had for years.

Thanks in advance for any input.

Best,

Dennis

Dennis Roliff Photography
 
Hey, I just got the Manfrotto 501, and have been very pleased with it so far. My first shoot with it was a motocross practice, so it had very fast action and followed it very well. I bought a "kit" and not a fan of the actual tripod, but I LOVE the head.It has alot of adjustable "resistance" both (vertical/horizontal) to help keep a steady pan going on. I am not sure of the differences(you mentioned just holds more weight) but I would save a little $$$ and go with the 501. Like you said the HMC40 is pretty light as it is. Check out the link below and thats the first/only video I have shot with the new tripod. Hope that help any, if at all.

http://vimeo.com/9634638
 
Twake06 said:
Hey, I just got the Manfrotto 501, and have been very pleased with it so far. My first shoot with it was a motocross practice, so it had very fast action and followed it very well. I bought a "kit" and not a fan of the actual tripod, but I LOVE the head.It has alot of adjustable "resistance" both (vertical/horizontal) to help keep a steady pan going on. I am not sure of the differences(you mentioned just holds more weight) but I would save a little $$$ and go with the 501. Like you said the HMC40 is pretty light as it is. Check out the link below and thats the first/only video I have shot with the new tripod. Hope that help any, if at all.

http://vimeo.com/9634638
Click to expand...
that pretty much convinces me to get one man!
thanks so much for posting ,what legs do you have btw ,and how do you think it'd be for something like basketball?
 
Glad that helped, I THINK the legs are the Manfrotto 547BK. They are good, but I don't like them to much. They have a quick release system and I would rather have a set of legs that you screw to tighten/loosen them. But overall it works very well. Just me being picky I guess. The thing I love most about the head is like I was saying about the "resistance" in the head. With a cheaper tripod it seems like its locked down and wont swivel or its all the way loose, which causes a lot of shake in panning or following something. After playing with the Manfrotto 501, I was convinced right away this was the right tripod for me. As far as basketball goes, I am sure it will work just fine. Basketball is fast-paced just like the video I did of motocross so I would almost guarantee you'll be pleased with it. Let me know if you have anymore questions about it. I am about to order an Indislider Pro 36" to add to my setup. Can't wait :cheesy:
 
I use the 501 with the 5D Mark II all the time. It gives me the ability to attach my slider and provides ample tension.
 
Twake,

what did you use to keep those chase boat shots so steady in the demo reel? Steadicam, gyro system?
 
Hey man, honestly I didnt use anything but my hands. I didnt add any weight or anything to the camera. And all of the chase boat footage from the demo reel was done with my old little Handy Cam. Guess Im lucky to have steady hands haha. But I just got the nice tripod so Ill start using it, but the HMC40 has a good enough weight I think it'll be more steady than the Handy Cam.
 
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