Lilliput with a Manfrotto 503HDV (Counterbalance issues)

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xknight

Active member
I am wondering if anyone else has purchased the lilliput 7in monitor or any other monitor for use with an HMC150 on a Manfrotto 503HDV head? I bought an articulating arm that I really like (the Manfrotto 196AB) in order to attach the monitor to the top of the camera. I don't really like it attached to the shoe because I want it closer to me when I am standing behind sticks.

Anyway, I am having an issue of counterbalance. I have my counterbalance all the way at its highest setting and it isn't like I have more weight on the head than it is rated for. The Camera, arm, and Monitor are a total of about 6lbs. The 503HDV says it will hold over 17lbs. But when everything is on the head with the quick release plate pushed all the way forward and the counterbalance at the highest setting, it still wants to tip backward.

I am hoping maybe there is just something stupid I am not considering that would fix my problem. However, the oly other option I can think of is to add a counterbalance weight of some sort to the front. If that is my only option, do you guys have any suggestions for a way to add weight without making the rig look too ugly (hey, I want to maintain a sleek look)?
 
Have you slid the quick release as far as you can to compensate? There are really long quick release adapters that can help you adjust your center.

Also I have my monitor out to the left center and it works nicely with the 501hdv.

coollcd.jpg
 
Thanks Mad, I have seen your setup before. I tried it this way as well, but I found if I did a medium speed pan or faster the monitor seemed to give me a little bit of a jump, so I have been trying to keep it close to the center of the camera in order to not have that issue. At any rate I did slide my quick release plate as far as possible.
 
i have the same tripod head and it is pretty beefy, I would be really surprised if it can't be balanced properly. I'm sure that MadHMC150's suggestion is a good one, the issue seems likely it is related to overcoming the inertia of the weight of the monitor off to the side. It's possible that the arm you are using isn't beefy enough and is flexing too much at the start of your pan operation. Maybe you can try a stronger articulating arm, or lock it tighter? I don't as yet have an external monitor so I can't try it, but I will shortly, so I will be in the same position. I do have the 503HDV head, so my setup will be similar.
 
Actually my issue is still the same now that I have two handles and I have removed the monitor from the head and have instead attached it to the tripod. But with no weight on the head except the camera and the two sticks, it is still leaning backwards. I get a new longer plate on Tuesday. You may want to consider it as well if you have any issues once you get your monitor.

When I was mounting my monitor to my camera I was using a pretty nice Manfrotto 10 inch articulating arm. However, it was probably a little over kill to have that length. It works much better attached to my tripod. FYI, if you have the 351mvb2 legs, they have a 3/8 inch mount on one of the 3 legs which works well for me with my 10 inch arm. Once I get the longer plate I'll probably take a pic of everything and post it.
 
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