Recommend me a video head for smooth panning and tilting for my 60D.

H

HansSteinert

Well-known member
I've got a Manfrotto 501HDV paired with a Manfrotto tripod, and am having trouble getting smooth pans/tilts with my mounted 60D. I have to control it with a rubber-band to get really smooth and slow results.

Anyone have any recommendations? Preferably under $500 for the head itself?
 
I have the 501HDV and have no problems getting smooth motion. It just takes practice, though I do use the rubber band trick quite often.

Anything you can find for under $500 is going to be about the same, though the new 504 is supposed to blow the 501HDV out of the water.
 
It's better in terms of both design and function, from what I've seen and heard. This is based on reviews. I have no personal experience with that head.

But again, anything under $500 is not going to be comparable to the likes of Sachtler and Cartoni.
 
I have never owned a high end tripod head so I don't have a good comparison, but I do own Bogen 501 and 503 heads. The 503 is much better than the 501. I only use the 501 on a locked down shot or on a monopod because I prefer the 503 for a manned tripod.

The 503 used on ebay for $200-250 or a new 503HDV for $329 fall well within your budget of $500. For that matter the new Bogen 504 is $352.
 
i have a davis and sanford (Tiffen), provista tripod with FM18 fluid head, under $200 with sticks and is buttery smooth. I like the dual handled, movement, makes me feel like im a gunner shooting down tie fighters.

143423-davis-sanford-provista-tripod-with-fm18-head-6420.jpg


Does take about 2 weeks to air out once you get it (its a bit manufacturing smelly).

I love it, only downside is this thing is very LARGE.
 
The 504HD is the only head you're going to find with variable counter-balance (0-3, GoPro/DSLR-16.5lbs, respectively) for the price. The upcoming 509HD will hold up to 22lbs.
 
I have a bogen and it's smooth. But because the dslr I still get the jittery playback on pans. Do you guys get smooth pans with the dslr's?
 
I've got a used 501 head (not the 501HD) on carbon fiber legs and get smooth pans with 60D, 7D, T2i, and even the "featherweight" Canon HF100s. The trick with any fair to excellent head is to first get the drag adjusted just right, not too little and not so much you have to force it. Then you need to practice and get yourself and your reflexes adjusted to really controlling the movement.

One thing I've found that helps is at the end of a pan or movement DO NOT RELAX OR LET GO. Stay on the handle and hold it there for a few seconds to counteract any tendency to "drift" at the end of a pan.

To start a pan or tilt start it smooth and slow, stay steady on the movement and come to an easy stop and HOLD IT THERE for a few seconds. If you have the drag and movement adjustments right, it will stay there.

I find I needed a fair amount more drag than I originally thought. I also have a (crappy) Velbon PH 368 head (cost $24 from B&H) that does absolutely amazing with light camcorders and even the T2i when movement tensions and drag are properly set. That's the head that taught me control.

Any of the 501, 504 or similar good heads will work with the 60 if you will.
 
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