Fluid head for small DSLR camera--701HDV?

R

Rider

Active member
I am trying the Manfrotto 701HDV. It's smooth enough for my purposes. Big problem I have is that the QR plate is so big, and is meant go on camera front to back. Makes it very inconvenient to just take the camera off the tripod and use it handheld, which is the point of Quick Release!

Am I missing something here?
 
Rider said:
....Am I missing something here?
Click to expand...

I use one of these on my 701HDV: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/554141-REG/Manfrotto_323_323_RC2_System_Quick.html

The only problem is that in order for the adapter to fit onto the large video dovetail, it has to be turned sideways, which means the small RC2 dovetail will block the GH1's battery door. It no big deal...I just have to loosen the dovetail every time I change batteries. It could easily be remedied by putting a spacer between the adapter and the tripod's plate. I've just been too lazy to mess with it...since it works fine as is. I'll try to find some washers or something this week and see.

Then again, with the RC2 plate aligned longways front to back, with easy access to the battery door, you have to be careful not to break a tooth on it when using the EVF to take pictures. :D

Let me see if I can find an old picture of my setup...
 
I'm using a different tripod now but the head+adapter setup is the same, if this gives an idea:


620091315_BQxiv-X2-3.jpg
 
lpowell said:
I'm not a fan of the large quick release plate on the Manfrotto 701HDV. I prefer the older 701RC2:


RC2 mounting gear is about as close to an industry standard as the tripod world gets. If you lose or forget a quick release plate on a shoot, you can pick up a knockoff for $10 at Calumet.
Click to expand...

The 701RC2 would be great, since it orients the plate for easy battery access...and I wouldn't need to use an adapter. Does it adjust forward and backward enough to keep the camera balanced regardless of which lens you put on it? For example the 14-140 and 20mm? The 701HDV gives you quite a bit of adjustment, but I still hate using adapters when I don't have to. They had cancelled the 701RC2 quite a while back I think, I guess to be replaced with the 701HDV that I ended up getting, but I'm sure you could find one on eBay or something.
 
swyzlstyx said:
The 701RC2 would be great... Does it adjust forward and backward enough to keep the camera balanced regardless of which lens you put on it? For example the 14-140 and 20mm?
Click to expand...
The plastic Lumix lenses are lightweight enough for the limited adjustment of the 701RC2 to handle. Short manual-focus primes like Canons, Nikons, and Konicas will work as well.
 
I have just ordered mine and looking at adapting another QR system ontop of the existing plate also. I did a comparison between the 701 and a miller DS10 and for the price and weight it does a fine job if you aren't super critical.
 
Last edited:
Rider said:
That's perfect! How do you attach the RC2 clamp to the 701HDV plate?
Click to expand...

The adapter has a tripod thread in the bottom....so you can use the 3/8" or 1/4" screws that came with your head/plate to thread right up into it. I did have to super-glue the little rubber strips back down on the 701HDV plate, since they popped up in the front after attaching the adapter. :D

Another good thing about using the adapter, as you can see in the pic, is that it gives you some space around the zoom/focus rings on the "big" m4/3 lenses.

Also, the 701HDV makes it easy to attach my Indislider Mini to the head, since I have a 577 adapter attached to the top of the slider and the 501PL plate it came with (same plate included with 701HDV) attached to the bottom. Takes about 2 seconds to set up the slider like this. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/241139-REG/Manfrotto_577_577_Rapid_Connect_Adapter.html
 
Great tip. Now that I have the general idea, the only question for me is whether to get this Manfrotto or perhaps look for a clamp that lets me use Arca plates (my other tripods use Arca style plates, so it is convenient).
 
Rider said:
How do you control rotation and make sure that the clamp is aligned?
Click to expand...

A screwdriver, I guess. ;) Since there's rubber pads on the 501PL plate on the 701HDV head, it won't rotate and mine has never come loose. If it does, you could just put some blue Loctite on it. That's what's holding the Manfrotto 701HDV head to my Velbon Sherpa tripod...which was the best lightweight tripod with spreaders I've been able to find so far...but it doesn't have the Manfrotto style set screws to keep the head from spinning off at the worst moments. Loctite rules. :D

Sometimes I get rotation between the GH1 and the RC2 if I get clumsy and put pressure on the camera instead of the just the head (I don't use the pan bar that comes with video heads...and don't do much panning/tilting anymore anyways), but it's not really a problem. If it were, you could try the RC2 anti-twist plate, but I don't know how well it would work with the GH1. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...PLARCH_14_Architectural_Anti_Twist_Quick.html
 
Here is an unboxing of a $139 Fancier Weifeng WF-717H Fluid Head Tripod from Amazon. As recommended at cheesycam.com

Unboxing: Fancier Weifeng WF-717H Fluid Head Tripod

Thanks to cheesycam.com I learned about the Weifeng WF-717H fluid head. His blog pointed me to an ebay seller who supposedly sells this head for $75. They were sold out, and others were selling them for $99. Still a good deal. i did my usual searching and found the 75mm ball mount version with a tripod and carring case on Amazon for only $139! Free shipping and no tax. With the glowing recommendations I had to try it. I have a new Panasonic GH-1 (hacked) and my only tripod is an old Bogen I used with a 5x7 camera back in the day.

It came in today, and I thought I'd share my first unboxing video with you guys. Shot with my GH-1 and 14-45mm. Edited in Sony Vegas 9. Song is Groove Armada - I See You Baby.

I haven't shot with this yet, but at first inspection, it is well made. Some plastic parts, but for any DSLR shooter, the weight is not an issue. The head is smooth in both directions. Perhaps a nicer quick release mount would be nice.

Calapsed, the carrying bag is small with a padded shoulder. Its not the lightest tripod. I will be getting and will review a very nice light tripod next the Vanguard Alta 263AP $149 (I just got one for $99!!!) That is for light weight street shooting. i tried the head and it was VERY smooth.
 
Hi everyone, I have a 701HDV, but recently lost the camera plate. The only replacements I found online are for 501 and 503 - nothing for 701. Any idea if they are compatible with 701, or where I can get the part replacement? Thanks for any suggestions you may have!
 
Glad to help. One way to quickly check on questions like this is to go to the B&H main product page, say for the 701HDV, and then check out the Accessories tab for that item. This will usually get you started on tracking down the right parts.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top