GH2 Manfrotto 755 and GH2?

I have both the 501 head and the 701 head, and as much as the 501 is nice, I would say it's a bit too bulky if you want lightweight travel. The 701 on the other hand, is a great little head if you want something capable of supporting the GH2 and keeping size and weight down. I was going to pick up a set of 755 legs myself, but found out I could get the 50mm bowl mid-post as an add-on to my 190 legs, so my lightweight travel setup would be similar to that, but with a 701 head.

Just my two cents from experience with those heads and legs.
 
memphishills said:
I have both the 501 head and the 701 head, and as much as the 501 is nice, I would say it's a bit too bulky if you want lightweight travel. The 701 on the other hand, is a great little head if you want something capable of supporting the GH2 and keeping size and weight down. I was going to pick up a set of 755 legs myself, but found out I could get the 50mm bowl mid-post as an add-on to my 190 legs, so my lightweight travel setup would be similar to that, but with a 701 head.

Just my two cents from experience with those heads and legs.
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Would you direct me to info. on the 50mm bowl and how much weight does it add?

One other question, is your 701 head stiff when panning? Mine takes more pressure than I would like.

Thanks
 
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slickh said:
..., is your 701 head stiff when panning? Mine takes more pressure than I would like.

Thanks
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You probably just need to break it in. Do you use it much? My older 701HDV is very loose...my newer one is still stiff, so I've been using it more often.

I had a couple of the old style 503's (fluid cartridges), and it was nice that they actually had drag adjustments, but I think they are overkill for the GH1. The head is bigger than the camera. :D Then again, so is a bowl and carbon fiber legs IMHO, but that's just a personal preference. I like a very specific setup when it comes to my simple tripod kits.

Interestingly enough, while the new 501HDV is still more expensive than the 701, the 501 series still doesn't have fluid cartridges, just like the old 501's didn't. They just have teflon discs inside for "fluid-like" movement. However, the cheaper 701HDV DOES have fluid cartridges...just no drag or counterbalance adjustments. This hasn't been a problem for me, but I also don't use the included pan-bar that comes with tripod heads. I just grab the head with my hands for more precise control.
 
swyzlstyx said:
You probably just need to break it in. Do you use it much? My older 701HDV is very loose...my newer one is still stiff, so I've been using it more often.

I had a couple of the old style 503's (fluid cartridges), and it was nice that they actually had drag adjustments, but I think they are overkill for the GH1. The head is bigger than the camera. :D Then again, so is a bowl and carbon fiber legs IMHO, but that's just a personal preference. I like a very specific setup when it comes to my simple tripod kits.

Interestingly enough, while the new 501HDV is still more expensive than the 701, the 501 series still doesn't have fluid cartridges, just like the old 501's didn't. They just have teflon discs inside for "fluid-like" movement. However, the cheaper 701HDV DOES have fluid cartridges...just no drag or counterbalance adjustments. This hasn't been a problem for me, but I also don't use the included pan-bar that comes with tripod heads. I just grab the head with my hands for more precise control.
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No, I have used it very little because it is so stiff. I don't think I could use it by grabing the head. I will need to start playing with it and see if it will get better. Thanks for the tip.

What are you using for your tripod kit?
 
slickh said:
No, I have used it very little because it is so stiff. I don't think I could use it by grabing the head. I will need to start playing with it and see if it will get better. Thanks for the tip.

What are you using for your tripod kit?
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I just have a pair of Velbon Sherpa 538 sticks fitted with Manfrotto 701HDV heads. The Velbon Sherpa 538 is about the only lightweight tripod that has both mid-level spreaders (like the cheap consumer tripods at the big box stores) + a interchangeable head (unlike the tripods at the big box stores). I like the spreaders, since shooting weddings I usually only have a split second to plant the tripod, focus, and press records. Actually, you can spread/collapse the legs with one hand, and squeeze into tight spaces/crowds with fast and easy setup. They discontinued the 538, so I don't know what I'm going to do when one breaks. I had to get my last one from Canada! :D

I have a Manfrotto 3001bpro, which is similar to the 755CX3 above...as in a tripod with no spreader. I just use it for photography with a ball head, and despise it for video. I guess it would be fine for movie-making, but is a total nightmare for event video where you have to stay mobile.
 
had another 701 delivered today and it is indeed very stiff.. i wonder how long it'll take to loosen up as like you say its difficult to use it until it loosens!
 
tikigod19 said:
had another 701 delivered today and it is indeed very stiff.. i wonder how long it'll take to loosen up as like you say its difficult to use it until it loosens!
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Mine was stiff also, so I spun it around a hundred or so times and it loosen up nicely.
 
My 701s are stiff as well. I've put them on my tripods and have a hard time panning without the whole head unscrewing from the tripod. Seems like I can't seem to tighten the head enough to "lock" it. Any recommendations would be helpful.
 
dracore said:
My 701s are stiff as well. I've put them on my tripods and have a hard time panning without the whole head unscrewing from the tripod. Seems like I can't seem to tighten the head enough to "lock" it. Any recommendations would be helpful.
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I recently bought a 701 and am quite satisfied with it. It's no Sachtler, to be sure, but for the price, the size and the weight, it's a great little tool. And I think it harmonizes well with the GH-1 (2).

Here's what I do:

After screwing the head on the tripod, I tighten the horizontal panning lock knob as far as seems reasonable. Then I tighten the 701 on the tripod using the pan handle for leverage. Again, as far as seems reasonable. Then I untighten the horizontal panning lock knob as far as it will go. (To remove the 701, you have to retighten the horizontal panning lock -- otherwise you'll never get it off.)

I use the 701 with a very light-weight Bilora Perfect Pro Carbon tripod which may be a tad on the light side, but if you hang a weight on the hook provided, it's amazingly stable. One tip: REALLY tighten all controls on your tripod (especially the center post vertical adjustment), otherwise you'll have too much play in the head (something I almost blamed the 701 for).

One last tip: with a very light-weight carbon tripod like the Bilora, I've found the best way to go is to place the pan handle on the left side in a nearly vertical position. If you jam the pan handle into your left armpit, you can use your entire body to pan while steadying the tripod with your left hand and operating the camera with your right. Sounds strange, perhaps, but it works for me. And it sure beats carrying around a heavy "pro" tripod and fluid head all day.

Hope this helps.
 
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