What is best with the HMC150 the 501HDV or the 701HDV?

L

Lionant

New member
The 150 is sort of light, what would be the best head,,,,, the 501 or 701?

I really like the older Bogen heavy tripods, is there a way you can make these heads fit to work? Like a model 3011 or 3001?
thanks
 
I think the original 301 is a killer deal for a head if you can find one used - just feels smoother than the newer model. I've used it with a DVX, a Canon SLR with rods, matte box, etc, and I've even stuck an 8 foot kessler on it. It wasn't the happiest of campers with the Kessler, but it did the job.
 
I really like my 503HDV with the 351MVB2 legs...both by Manfrotto. It supports my HMC150 very well. Not sure why you skipped over that model. I had the 501, and I like the 503 better. It is soooo much smoother since it has a real fluid head. The 501 says it is but it is just some sort of almost fluid and there is a real difference when you have used both. The 503 also has a much better drag and a light up bubble level so you can very easily see it in the dark or even in a mildly lit room.

I like the legs I reference above because they have the bowl leveler for the head which is very nice to have. Overall mine is slightly heavy, but I like having a solid tripod so it works great for me. I recently traded up my old 501 and my new 503HDV was just a little over $500 with those legs and a case on Ebay. I lucked out and found a guy selling one that was brand new.

At any rate, do some searching on this HMC150 forum for the words "best tripod" and you should see a number of threads about this...they mostly recommend the 503HDV as well and then the legs just depend on what your use is.

Oh, one other thing to bring up. I recently got a monitor (the Lilliput 668) and I am using a articulating arm to hold it. Both of those add enough weight that you really have to be careful where the articulating arm is placing the monitor because it can easily become more rear heavy than the 503HDV can support. So if you are always going to have a lot more weight, the 701 might be better, but if not then I'd go for the 503. Good luck.
 
Doh - the head I was referencing was the 503, not 301.

Manfrotto moved a ton of those 501 and 503 head-legs-spreader-bag combos and you do see them on eBay. The 503 combo was about $450-$550 new and a great deal at that. 75mm bowl means you can stick the head on sliders, high hats, etc with minimal fuss (often just a 75-100 adapter ring is all you need), too.
 
Everts, I have a 503 (not 503 HDV). Can you elaborate on what improvements I would see in pan/tilt smoothness with the 516?
 
buttery smooth !!!
Makes the HMC 150 images look alot more expensive !

Now the HMC 150 is a very light camera I got this head because I was working with a few heavier cameras aswell ! Not so much lately.It's been a while since I worked with a 503 head but I like how you can fine tune the drag and tension on the 516.
Also love how smooth you can pan and tilt at the same time with the 516 just felt better then the 503. It's those small pan and tilt movements that dont feel like panning and tilting that make me use it with the HMC 150 / 7d .Overkill on the weight yes but the result looks great !
I dont use pan/tilt movements all the time....mostly when shooting for docs :)
Goodluck
 
I like the 503HDV with the HMC. The only thing that I don't like is the backlash at the end of a pan when fully zoomed.
 
I called my camera shop today to see what they had that I could look at. Ironically, the Manfrotto salesperson was there when I called. He recommended the 701 for the HMC150 - said it was a true fluid head whereas the 5xx series are not. The 701 is quite a bit cheaper than the 503.
 
Do you think the 701 is good enough? It would be nicer on my wallet. I am filming speakers, and sometimes they are walking around the room so I want to be able to follow them nice and smooth.
On ebay you can get them new for 150.00 , and includes shipping.
the 503 is 340.00
the 501 is around 180.00
I know people have said the 503 is smoother, but I want to know can the 701 get the job done as far as panning and moving the camera without jerks or is the 501 better?
the reason I listed the 701 and 501, is because I could afford these.
thannks
 
SPrimeau said:
I like the 503HDV with the HMC. The only thing that I don't like is the backlash at the end of a pan when fully zoomed.
Click to expand...

This is the problem I am having with the 503. That backlash is unacceptable IMO, and the only reason why I don't recommend the 503. I can't get rid of it with any of the adjustments, and it happens even without a full zoom, just noticeable to a lesser degree (obviously). I'm not sure if the other models have the same problem.

I like the head otherwise, it does pan smoothly.
 
Deer Film, I haven't had a 701 in my hands yet but I will check one out next week at my local store. The only thing spec wise that looks suspect is you can't adjust the pan drag. May or may not be a problem. If possible, you should also go to a local store and mount your cam up on a 701. I'll post back here what I think of it after trying it out.
 
I have a 701HDV and I think it's a good head. And that it's enough for HMC 150.
501HDV is a bit better, but twice the weight and almost twice the price.
(Before I had a 700RC2 and I could not recommend it.)
 
I have the 701HDV, the original 501 and the 503HDV.

The 701HDV is ok for a second camera or on a monopod. But it is not as smooth as the 503HDV.

The problems with the 701HDV are:

- The pan bar is small and not extendible.
- You don't have pan and tilt friction nobs. To add friction, you have to use the pan and tilt lock nobs to add frinction. This will remove the benefit of having a fluid head.
- You have only 1 counterbalance option. The 503HDV has 3 couterbalance options and a off position.
- The tilt is not perfectly smooth on the 701HDV. It's much better on the 503HDV.
- No illuminated bubble level on the 701HDV.

On the original 501, there is no backlash like the 503HDV, but the main issue is the annoying stick starts on pans and tilts.
 
Id say 501hdv bare minimum... 503hdv if you have the budget..

BEST thing either way is the 2nd handle!!
 
I use a 503HDV on a Bogen 475B. Very nice, although heavy setup. Like it because it can go up to 75" height when needed.
I also have a 501 head, would not go any lower than that, certainly.
Have you checked out that new 504 head? Costs a little more, but man is it nice.
 
Did not buy a head yet, and need to get one. I would like to spend under 180. So the Manfrotto 701 and 501hdv is in my price range. The 701 is cheaper. I am not sure, but what I read about the 701 on Amazon is"the internal spring in the tripod head isn't strong enough to return the camera to level after tilting down/up".
Anyone with experience on this.
And I read that this 501 hdv "A bit of a lurch when you start a pan, combined with bounce-back when you stop. Same for tilt operations. The HMC150 I use with it is very lightweight, which probably contributes to the problem."

I don't plan on panning a huge amount, only when the speaker is moving around a room. In my thoughts, I think the 701 would be good enough, but I want to know from someone out there if it supports the 150 well. thanks for your help
 
Just letting you know I did buy the 503 and I have been super happy with it.
A few years later now, I need a second head to go with some other cameras.
My question is will a 701hdv support a HMC150. I don't want to break anything. I heard this head only supports around 3 pounds and the HMC is a few pounds heavier. So the counter balance might not work. I read that on amazon. Is this true. Please if you have experience with the 701hdv and HMC150, let me know your success or dislikes. This will be used on various items, treestand tripod, and slider.
I am sure this 701hdv will work with my smaller Canon video cameras.
Thanks
 
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