Manfrotto 503,525PKIT

petelms

petelms

Well-known member
Hello!

I need a tripod for my HVX200. Is anyone using Manfrotto 503,525PKIT with the HVx200? Is it worth the price? And is it good for HVX200?

Btw, is Bogen and Manfrotto the same company (both seems to have the same model 503,525PKIT)?

http://www.filmtools.com/bomaflhetrki.html

Thanks! :dankk2:
 
Last edited:
Yes, they are the same company.. (or at least the same products).
The 503 head is what I would consider one of the cheapest acceptable heads for video work. It's a fluid head which means pans and tilts will be alot smoother than with the cheaper heads. The 525 legs are good as well, stable and pretty easy to carry around. I like the mid-spreader, (which is not included) better than the ground spreader though, but that's all about personal preferences i guess. Overall it's a nice combo which works well for the DVX/HVX cameras.
 
Last edited:
but think about what you plan to use ON the tripod. i use a kessler crane with mine so the 2x money for the 526 head on the 3193 legs may be a wise investment
 
Yeah, you are right. I have also been thinking of Kessler crane...and their own Mark 3 Crane Support Tripod for it...maybe someday...:thumbup:
 
The rig that we've been moving A LOT is the Bogen/Manfrotto 516 head with the 3193 sticks and the mid level spreader.

Here is a link to the 516 on our store.

We don't seem to have the other items that I have mentioned on the store yet. But I do know that we carry them.

Best regards,

Andrew Hoffman
Senior Operations Manager
Specialized Communications Corp.
20940 Twin Springs Dr.
Smithsburg, MD 21783-1510 USA
800-359-1858
301-790-0103
Fax: 301-790-0173
andrewh@spec-comm.com
www.spec-comm.com

Please visit our new online store at ( http://www.spec-comm.com/store ).
New products being added daily!
 
FYI, I've got the 503/525MVB set up, and I've been pretty happy with it. For the price, I really don't think there is a better option. Having said that, though, I'm getting to the point where my rig is getting so heavy that I'm considering a Vinten 3 or 6.

So, if you want a deal on a gently used 503/525...pm me...
 
Anyone use the Bogen / Manfrotto 745B Professional Tripod Legs (Black) with 701RC2 Video Fluid Head setup? I'm thinking of getting it for a light setup for on the move.

341510.jpg

Is that head pretty decent and interchangeable with other legs? Could I put the legs from the Assia Video Tripod on it if I needed to?
 
Here's what I use for shooting horses... and trust me.. constant pans/zooms as they go in all directions around an arena. My tripods have to be very smooth as I'm shooting a horse trotting along a rail 250 feet away on max zoom. The slightest sticky spot can blow the shot, and there is no reshoot- just a discount for the customer coming out of my pocket.

http://dvcreators.net/bogen-503-tripod-system

It's not the best thing on the planet, but it's nice and does the job until I can afford the next jump up.
 
I have a 503 as well, it is the lowest-end true fluid head that Bogen/Manfrotto makes. All other models below it use Teflon friction plates.
 
THoff said:
I have a 503 as well, it is the lowest-end true fluid head that Bogen/Manfrotto makes. All other models below it use Teflon friction plates.
Click to expand...
Ah so I take it those friction plates aren't good? I don't know much about tripods.



So should I get this setup instead?

Bogen / Manfrotto 745B Professional Tripod Legs (Black) with 3460 (503) Pro Video Head - Supports 13.2 lb (5.99 kg) ($472)

359710.jpg


Is the 701RC2 Video Fluid Head not any good?
 
I tried the 503 and the 516 at NAB and found the 516 to be a bit more stout, and more adjustable. Both felt light and wimpy compared to the Cartoni Focus, and they also don't have adjustable counter balance (which the focus does) but they are MUCH cheaper. Damn that "you Get what you pay for" thingy.
 
So anyone else have any recommendations for me on a light, mobile tripod setup? (for under $450 ish)
 
I've got a couple of 503's, my newer one is much better than the older one and I suspected they later improved the design (?)

But I still am not happy with the pan/zoom quality and am hoping that a better tripod will improve my HVX footage. I shoot a lot of big studio Ikegami cameras and dont usually have a problem so I have to think a better head would improve the HVX footage.

td
 
Thoughts on the new 501HDV and 503HDV? Seems slightly more modern than the predecessor. I was thinking about getting a 501HDV kit...
 
www.spec-comm.com/store

www.spec-comm.com/store

RE1000,

One thing that we need to keep in mind is the fact that there is no way to get the 516 kind of feel on a 503 especially for the price. The 503 is lightweight and feels great for the size, but still not a larger, heavier head. I'm pretty sure that we can match the price that you have been quoted for the 503 kit. Give me a call on Wednesday or Thursday. I'll be back in the office from being at the East Coast P2 HD Clinic. Another option that you have if you want a lightweight tripod setup and you have a budget is the Vinten AG-YUTDV. We sell a good bit of these too.:)

Best regards,

Andrew Hoffman
Senior Operations Manager
Specialized Communications Corp.
20940 Twin Springs Dr.
Smithsburg, MD 21783-1510 USA
800-359-1858
301-790-0103
Fax: 301-790-0173
andrewh@spec-comm.com
www.spec-comm.com

Please visit our new online store at ( http://www.spec-comm.com/store ). New products being added daily!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top