Manfrotto MVH500AH vs 701 Head

Eric Coughlin

Eric Coughlin

Veteran
I can't seem to find much information in regards to a comparison between the two. The MVH500AH is the new updated version of the 701 head, but how much better is it, and is it worth it to buy over getting a used 701 head cheaper?

I use my 701 head on a monopod, tripod, slider, and jib, so it gets lots of uses. Since I'm continually switching out between them I need another head so I won't have to switch as often, and sometimes I need to use two heads at once (in addition to the third 503 head I own). So I'm looking at what should be my next purchase. The 500 is slightly heavier than the 701, and on the Kessler Pocket Jib Traveler with a C100 I need the lightest head I can get, though a .2 oz difference isn't that much.

Does anybody have any experience with both and what are your thoughts?
 
I had a 701 for years that I used on a monopod. Worked okay for mobile. Then I sold it to get the 500 which wasn't really hugely better. I kept the 500 for slider work and now use a Benro S6 for my monopod. The Benro is a lot better than the Manfrotto's and actually has a decent counterbalance that works. I'd say for the price the Benro is one of the better budget heads. I use Miller DS heads for my tripods which are actually not much heavier but have much nicer action. I use a half bowl adapter for my Benro if I need to lock off a third or forth camera position.
 
I have the 500 for use on a slider. I really like the quick-release mechanism. You can use pretty much any manfrotto quick release plate on it so, that may be and advantage for you. The controls work ok. It's not precise but, it's not expensive either so, it works great for the purpose. For what you describe, it would work well.

-gl
 
I have both. I use MVH500 as my main head and 701 as my slider head. Frankly their performance is the same (terrible but useable). One thing I notice with MVH is that it is easily loosen on tripod. The quick release mechanism is not really good for slider because it can get loosen (my slider nearly fell off a few time).

I say get used 701. It's smaller, cost less and perform the same.
 
I have both. I vastly prefer the MVH500. The top-load quick release plates are the newest development from Manfrotto--I have no doubt that their entire fluid head lineup will soon incorporate this feature as it is much, much easier to use than the rear-entry style plates that they've been using. The quick-release plates do have front and rear safety stops to prevent your gear from sliding out accidentally even when not fully locked down.

Lastly, it's my understanding that the MVH500 uses real fluid cartridges for dampening, unlike the 701, and, indeed the movement of the MVH500 is very, very smooth. I also really like the size, too many fluid video heads are ridiculously big for using with HDSLR's IMHO.....

BD
 
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