Great Low Cost Video Head : Benro S6

treynolds said:
do the sleds form the s4/s6 match the manfrotto 501 sleds
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Yes, the Benro S4/S6 camera plate is a 501PL Compatible Quick Release Plate. So they are interchangeable with the Manfrotto 501 plates.

I actually prefer the Benro plate over the Manfrotto plate, mainly because the Benro plate is better cast, so it's a smoother fit compared to the Manfrotto.
 
GrahamH said:
Are you using it with your GH2? OK with a camera that light?
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I haven't used it with my GH2 yet, but I shot a 20 minute interview with my GH3 ( no grip ) and the 12-35mm f/2.8 lens on Thursday.

The camera balances perfectly with the counter-balance set to 1 ( technically good up to 4.4 lbs at position 1 ), so I suspect the GH2 with the same lens should be the same. ( not sure how pancake lenses would be, might be too light )

It's nice to not have to lock the head, so I just pan or tilt to the position I want then let go and the camera will just sit there. ( something I always had trouble with when using Manfrotto 501 HDV and 503 HDV heads )
 
I can confirm: The S6 head is REALLY REALLY nice. The best head under 200 bucks (€ here).
Also the A3573FS6 kit (Tripod + Leveling base + S6 head) is really nice, quite stable and very cheap.

Btw.: I reviewed the S2, S4 and S6 heads - Including footage at the end ...
(Attention - It´s quite long! If you want to see something specific -> Look at the chapters in the description.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-74M4w_GSo
 
Hmm. I don´t have the FC-270A here. So I can only compare the features / facts:

As far as I saw / read, the FC-270A isn´t as adjustable as the S6 head for example.
The drag isn´t adjustable AND (more important) also not the counterbalance (it´s only possible to activate or disable it).
And the fact, that you can use (for example) the A3573F tripod as a stills tripod (with an geared head or so mounted) is VERY nice.
(That´s only possible with a 75mm leveling base with the fancier FC-270A. So additional costs with a not THAT flexible tripod for stills / photography.
And especially if you don´t want to invest in a Video tripod AND a tripod for stills, the benro A3573FS6 kit is for example all in all the better choice / combo.)

At least these are the important points (which came to my mind).
I hope I helped a little bit ^^.

/Edit:/

Oh. And i forgot to mention: The Benro heads are also usable on ANY accessory & tripod -> Because of the flat base mount.
You can mount them directly (without an adapter) on: Sliders, Jibs, Cranes and so on. So they are way more flexible.
 
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Weighing one of these vs. a Manfrotto mhv500 head to replace my beat-up 701hdv. Don't suppose anyone out there has tested both?
 
Hmm. The MVH500 seems to be THE most wanted head actually.

But don´t forget. It has (AGAIN) only one knob to control the tilting and lock it.
(So you´re loosing AGAIN like with your 701HDV your perfect adjusted friction ...
EVERY time you need or want to lock it down.)

Also VERY important: You cannot control or even disable the counter balance system.
And the 501PL QR-plate compatibility is also such a thing.
The new included QR-plate isn´t compatible to the older system (like the 577 QR Base).
BUT the older plates (501PL and 501PLong for example) are compatible to the head. *sigh*

I really don´t know, if the MVH500 is worth the actual price ...
At least they build in now the fluid cartridges of the bigger "bridge" heads.
AND you can "click in" the QR plate now (VERY handy with rig systems - That´s true).

Btw.: If someone send me a MVH500 ... I compare it to the Benro S6 ^^.
Maybe it´s at least a very good alternative to the 701HDV for sliders for example.
(If the price is sinking at least a little bit ...)

Lg, Tscheckoff
 
so after giving away manfrotto 501hdv i am considering a benro head. read about this s6, it sounds very good. as i suspetc s6 it is probably similar in size and weight to 501 and for gh3 and portability may be it it a bit too big, what about s4?differences to s6?and mhv500, as someone wrote?anty experience?or may be s6 is smaller than 501?
 
stefanocps said:
so after giving away manfrotto 501hdv i am considering a benro head. read about this s6, it sounds very good. as i suspetc s6 it is probably similar in size and weight to 501 and for gh3 and portability may be it it a bit too big, what about s4?differences to s6?and mhv500, as someone wrote?anty experience?or may be s6 is smaller than 501?
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The Benro S4 head has no real counter-balance, so it's a huge step down from the S6 head.

Yes, the Benro S6 head is a bit large, but not as big as the Manfrotto 501 HDV head is.
 
what i still havenb't understood properly is how the head is fixed to the tripod to make the Whole pan without problem.watching the benro video looks like they have a special accessories for fixing the head to the base plate of tripod.can't get clerar what do i neeed. if the screw other than the central are the key or what
 
stefanocps said:
that blue part that seems a must to fix the head properly
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No the blue part is simply the Benro leveling mechanism. You attach the head to the tripod the same way I attach the head to my old Gitzo Studex tripod, you just screw it on very tightly and it will stay on until you forcefully un-screw it from the tripod. No special locking mechanism is required, just simple friction.
 
stefanocps said:
so it is an accessory?
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No it's built in to that specific tripod. You can buy the Benro S6 head and that tripod with the leveling mechanism for $300 total from B&H Photo in New York. ( I haven't seen anybody selling this tripod without a video head )
 
i wish i could buy at b&H. but as i live in Italy, buyng overseas will result in such a big extra taxes that will never be worthy.i really like to get a benro but i am a bit concerned as looks like it is not so diffused in europe, and it might be difficult for example to get parts or similar.it is even difficult to find just the head itself!very few have it!
 
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