Need Advice on Fluid Head for GH1

S

simonclivehughes

Well-known member
I just picked up a GH1 and I need to get a fluid head for use on my 1500-series Gitzo CF legs. I predominantly shoot stills and use a Kirk BH3 ball head. I am budget limited ($300 max in Cdn$) and I will only very occasionally do any panning or tilting so I'm currently considering either the Manfrotto 701HDV or the 501HDV heads.

I used the 701 before with a Canon HV20 and it seemed to work OK but I'm betting the 501 is better and smoother. I'd love some feedback on the choices given the following:


  1. It will be used with the GH1 and kit lenses (14-140 and 45-200)
  2. Also used with the GH1 and 4/3-to-u4/3 adapter and Nikon F lenses: 50mm f1.8, 85mm f1.4 and 300mm f4 (sometimes with 1.4X TC).
As mentioned, I am budget limited so please don't advise for Sachtlers, Libecs etc as I simply can't afford them. I shoot video only occasionally (although I hope that will change with the GH1) so I'm willing to go to about the 501HDV level as I think it may better support the GH1 with the weightier Nikon glass.

Cheers,
 
Martti,

Thanks for the info... I had already seen the other thread but it didn't seem to explain why the 501 wouldn't work. I've found a Vancouver dealer for Libec and I'm waiting to see what the costs will be.

Cheers,
 
The main complaint against the 501 is it's not a "true" fluid head. It's actually a teflon disc that they are pushing a brake against. Teflon is pretty smooth, granted, but a true fluid cartridge is going to be even smoother.

I have worked extensively with 501 and 503 heads in the past. I would say most of my (admittedly short) "filmmaking career" thus far has been atop a 501 or 503.

I have the Libec H22 on order right now from B&H. It will take awhile to get here, but if you have time to wait, I'll try and give my full impressions. I might even be able to scare up a 501 to do a side by side comparison to.
 
Well, the last video rig I had was an O'Connor 30 on a set of Miller wood sticks...it's gathering dust in the mummy bag in a closet somewhere. I liked my little 501 so well that I bought two.
 
@Saaby,

Thanks for the feedback. I had read of the Teflon disc but as I've never used a real fluid head, had to frame of reference, so to speak. I've emailed my local Libec dealer and I'll see what the cost difference from ordering through B&H is.

Don't do any unnecessary work on my part... I'm fairly convinced about the Libec, especially if it is only moderately more than the 501.

Cheers,
 
Just as a follow up, I ordered the Libec H22 from B&H. Unfortunately, my local (Vancouver, BC) Libec dealer only sells the entire Libec package including tripod, so as much as I wanted to shop locally, I was stymied. Looking forward to using the H22!

Cheers,
 
I moved about 3 months ago.


This thread inspired me to check my order status at B&H. I had told them to ship the head to my old apartment! Good thing it's a special order item. Fortunately I have time to change the address before the head ships.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top