Bogen 503... real fluid???

[Ryan Patrick O'Hara]

I read on DVXuser, a post, which said the Bogen 503 is not a 'true' fluid head.

Although it is a common agreement the head is a decent one which performs well, it is seemingly unsettled among friends of mine and myself on whether it is indeed a real fluid head.

I have searched and searched and everyone calls it a fluid head. I would like to settle this once and for all.

Is the Bogen 503 a fluid head?
What about the new 503hdv?

 

[THoff]

The 503 is the first / lowest-end true fluid head in the Bogen/Manfrotto lineup. Here is a link to a post from Marc Schotland (a Manfrotto Product Manager) explaining the design:

Is the 503 a true fluid head?

 

[Ryan Patrick O'Hara]

Thanks!

 

[Jg Marceaux BestBetter]

The 501HDV is supposedly a true fluid head as well. It is the one I own. It is half the price of the 503, although my next head purchase will be the 503.

 

[Ryan Patrick O'Hara]

I was very tempted by the orig 503, and the 501hdv, but I love using my redrock M2 and will most likely be purchasing the 503hdv. This way I know that no matter how I load my camera (2 p2 cards, big battery, tape, mattebox, followfocas, rails, zoom lens and M2) it will snuggly fit into the weight class.