Lack of info about tripod model, any comments?

[jniddrie]

Hello everyone, I've been a reader for a few months now leading up to a purchase of a HPX170. This seems like a great community, and I have already gotten a lot of information. I live near Seoul, so getting the right equipment can be difficult. Anyway, I'm on a very strict budget (as cheap as I can get, unfortunately) and I managed to come home with a Manfrotto 500MVB with a 501 fluid head. The peculiar part is, I cannot find any information regarding the 500MVB. The closest model I can find is the 525, which the salesman told me was the same as the 500, but honestly they will say a lot to make a sale.

It was the tripod they used to display a camera, so for the tripod and the head I paid 450000W, which is just under 400USD by todays rates. Does anyone know about any flaws or significant changes between the 500 and the 525? Did I get an alright deal?

 

[wgzn]

you probably could have done a little better by finding it used. i sold a similar setup for about $275us about 8 months ago. but i guess the question for you near seoul is what CAN u get your hands on - right?

but no. you'll be fine. either of those tripods will carry an hpx170 just fine. and yes, they are more or less the same thing. manfrotto often changes model numbers on the same product for another year or geographic area.

a lot of people will tell you they hate the 501 head and its not a "true fluid head" but i used one for years and nobody ever complained about my footage.

i will say that if you move up to a more expensive head you WILL notice an improvement in your moves though... but that move up would probably cost nearly twice what you paid for your existing tripod and head