Erik Naso
Veteran
I need a small fluid head for mirrorless cameras with cage and accessories. I have the Manfrotto 500 and it's really not good enough for more than the ar7ii and a lens. No counterbalance settings or drag control just pan and tilt locking knobs. I decided to give another Benro a try since I have the S8 and for the most part I like it but the large platform os so wide with hybrid cameras you have to take the camera off the head to replace the battery. If you shoot with a Sony mirrorless you know how bad the cameras are with battery life.
I bought this new BV4 head for $249. Thats pretty cheap for a fluid head. The specs are very good.
- 8.8 lb Load Capacity
- 75mm Ball
- Flat Base by Removing Tiedown Stud
- 6-Step Counterbalance
- Independent 4-Step Pan and Tilt Drag
- Manfrotto 501/504PL Type Sliding Plate
- 2x 3/8"-16 Accessory Mounting Threads
- Adjustable Length Pan Bar Handle
In this test video I put the hefty Sony 90mm Macro on my A7rii with SmallRig cage and SmallHD 502 and shot some product shots. These are the most difficult type of pans and tilts since the shot is telephoto. The counterbalance is pretty good. Set the camera up in the the perfect position on the head. Dialed it in and did some test. Not bad. I'm working on a full review of the BV4 soon.