Bogen 501 Tripod for HVX

I think the 501 and 503 get a bad rap partly because they're so popular. I also think a lot of people bought one of them for their DVX and then didn't upgrade when they bought a HVX or other heavier camera.
 
ProfessorU said:
I think the 501 and 503 get a bad rap partly because they're so popular. I also think a lot of people bought one of them for their DVX and then didn't upgrade when they bought a HVX or other heavier camera.
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Yeah, but even when I used them with my DVX, they were still crappy and I still couldn't get a smooth tilt or tilt/pan. Both heads are rife with stiction, which makes getting smooth moves impossible no matter how good of an operator you are or how careful you are.

It's the newbie complaint, "no matter how I try, I can' get smooth moves with my new Bogen 50X head". I will say that for the money, they aren't built badly and they are fine for using the camera like a brick, just sitting there shooting a talking head. But go try to shoot dancers, race cars, airplanes and you will want to throw it to the ground and jump up and down on it violently. You get what you pay for. The Libecs and Cartoni heads for under $1,000.00 are so much better.

Best,

Dan
 
yeah, the 516 head can handle the kessler 8' no problem - just a matter of what sticks its on - and that is a HUGE matter. ive seen the telescoping sticks collapse and the whole shebang come crashing to the floor! look for either the 3193 or 528 sticks (legs)

in fact, ive even used a 501 with the kessler once. though i saw IMMEDIATE and ongoing symptoms of fatigue in the 501 from there after. which rendered that head more or less only a resting station from that point.
 
I've been using my 503 for a LONG time and it's pretty beat. It still works perfect. It's definitely not the smoothest head out there, not by a long shot. But I use it all the time and it never lets me down. I'm always able to get a smooth shot out of it, it just takes a little more work. Steer clear of the HDV 501 and 503, I hear they are terrible.
 
There is a built bias towards high priced everything on these boards. Not everyone can afford everything that is the best. I'd rather shoot with an HVX200 on a $700 tripod system than with a HV20 on a $1800.00 tripod system

Help the guy out within his budget by giving him choices and identifying the limitations of the system.

His opening line was "very limited budget."

We couldn't afford even a moderately priced tripod system the first year after paying nearly $8K for cam and 1 8 GB card.

After a year, we were able to upgrade to a Sachtler Speed Lock 75CF Tripod and DV-6 SB and found a great price on it.

However, our Bogen 503 worked well enough for a year

Good luck
 
mb72378 said:
Thanks for everyone's replies. The following doesn't apply to most of you so please continue to reply. I understand that some of you have serious opinions about how you shouldn't get an HVX200 unless you have tons of money to buy perfect equipment etc. I saved for two years for ths camera. I am a broadcast major at a university so I feel this camera fits me like a glove. All i asked was what would be the best tripod to get in my price range. I didn't ask for your [personal opinion on my financial restraints. And I don't have a monitor yet, the price of one is in my film budget.
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Look for a good used unit on eBay. Look for older Miller or O'Connor heads but stay away from leaky O'Connor 50 heads. Wooden legs absorb vibration better than aluminum. You're better off with on older fluid head on wooden legs than a brand new friction head on aluminum legs with plastic parts all over the place in my opinion.

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Just received the 503HDV fluid head (rated to 8kg) and o55xproB rated to (7g) legs from B&H.

Was on a limited budget so had to settle for less than ideal legs, but I am surprised at how good and solid they are. As nice as it would be though I simply can't justify a $2000 tripod at the moment, production budget is tight. One day. . .

For my stock HVX, and a shotgun mic, it seems perfect and more than adequate. I have to slide it forward quite a bit to get it to balance on the highest counterbalance setting too, so I'm assuming with future upgrades (35mm Adapter, monitor etc.) it should be able to handle it.

I don't have any issue getting a nice smooth pan or tilt out of it and the adjustable drag works very well I think. Pity the pan drag is under the head, minor niggle.

I must admit to not having used high end tripods, like the Sachtler and the recommended Cartoni Focus, but as much as people are slagging this head off I don't think it is so bad and will definitely get the job done.

-Hijack-

Anybody use the pan bar on the left hand side so they can control with the right hand?
 
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