Small and lightweight, the Manfrotto 701HDV Pro Fluid Video Mini Head is capable of accommodating payloads up to 8.82 lbs (4kg), and was designed principally to support the latest compact digital video equipment, including MiniDV and prosumer/professional-grade HD camcorders.
| Load Capacity |
8.82 lbs (4kg) |
| Diameter/Thread | 3/8" Female Thread |
| Counter Balance System | Fixed counter-balance spring @ 1.5kg |
| Counter Balance Range | 58mm |
| Center of Gravity | Not specified by manufacturer |
| Quick Release/Wedge Plate | Yes 501PL |
| Balance Plate | Fixed, 1/4" Screw and Locating Pin |
| Tilt Drag | Fluid Cartridge with Fixed Drag |
| Tilt Range | -60/+90° |
| Tilt Lock | Yes |
| Spring Loaded Counter Balance | 1 Fixed |
| Pan Range | 360° |
| Pan Lock | Yes |
| Leveling Bubble/Illuminated | Yes / No |
| Temperature Range | -10°C / 60°C |
| Height |
3.7" 9.5cm |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs (0.83kg) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
Cons
Best Uses
Most Liked Positive Review
Heres the scoop
Here is the scoop on this excellent video head. First of all it is fluid filled. This is a huge bargain for the money. If you use this with an HVX200 or similar 5...Read complete review
Here is the scoop on this excellent video head. First of all it is fluid filled. This is a huge bargain for the money. If you use this with an HVX200 or similar 5 to 7 lb camera you will be able to produce very smooth pans and tilts. It is worth every penny. I have noticed that some reviews have cited that the arm interferes with the controls, the lock is not strong and that the movement is not smooth. Heres the low down. First the head is shipped with the arm installed back wards so that it will fit into a smaller box. Follow your intuition and instructions and you will find that there is no interference of the arm with the controls. The lock is appropriately strong, but you can increase the strength by adjusting the slide plate forward or backwards to balance your camera. This is a must for any head. This leads into smooth pans and tilts. If the balance is not adjusted properly the pans and tilts will not be as smooth as they could be, on any head at any price. Lastly you cannot substitute technology for practice and experience. You cannot expect a mechanical device to do the work for you. You must practice your craft e.g. pans and tilts. If you run a busy production company and your equipment gets alot of use or have a heavier camera then you can step up to the 503 or higher. If your an event videographer or independent (location) filmmaker you should like this product as it is relatively light.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Great head, but not perfect
This head is fairly precise and does not slip/shift when starting and stopping a pan or tilt. The spring action for tilting returns the head to a level position in a smooth constant motion...Read complete review
This head is fairly precise and does not slip/shift when starting and stopping a pan or tilt. The spring action for tilting returns the head to a level position in a smooth constant motion. The knob allows you to adjust the resistance of the tilt.
The pan proved to be the troublesome part for me. While it is very smooth, it is quite stiff. I purchased the head for use on a camera slider, but had difficulty because it takes a considerable amount of force to pan the head. There is no adjustment knob to change the resistance. On a strong tripod it would be great, but for a fine touch use it's a little too stiff when panning.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 414 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-20
Previous | Next »
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 701HDV Pro Fluid Video Mini Head:
Works great and smooth, great buy
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 701HDV Pro Fluid Video Mini Head:
This is my first fluid-head but so far I am pleased with its performance. At first I was disappointed due to the base unscrewing but I realized Manfrotto had installed a set-screw under the flange. Excellent product for intended use.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 701HDV Pro Fluid Video Mini Head:
My camera is the Panasonic AG-AC7. I was using the SunPak PlatinumPlus 7500TM tripod with poor results. But now with the Manfrotto 701HDV Pro, I have much better control and smoother operation.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 701HDV Pro Fluid Video Mini Head:
using this on for 60D on mini jib because of its light weight.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 701HDV Pro Fluid Video Mini Head:
Great video head! You can get the smoothest pans and tilts with this thing, I find it to be a great addition to the legs I purchased, just the right amount of bulk and weight I needed.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 701HDV Pro Fluid Video Mini Head:
I use this with a simple GH3 rig, and haven't found anything to complain about. Smooth pans and tilts as you'd expect, although I'd suggest picking up a second pan handle (which are really cheap). A lightweight addition to my gear that does what it says and has held up well so far.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 701HDV Pro Fluid Video Mini Head:
Very useful head - especially when combined with a decent video tripod. The pans are smooth and there is very little play.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 701HDV Pro Fluid Video Mini Head:
The pan and tilt on this video head is superb and smooth. i use it with my manfrotto monopod and it works like a charm! Some would say that it's a little bit heavy, but I like how it's built sturdy and strong - making it more reliable and stable. I use it for practically all my video shoots.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 701HDV Pro Fluid Video Mini Head:
I use this with a 5DMKII and a 70-200f2.8 Canon lens.
The 701 HDV Pro works will beyond the weight as advertised.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 701HDV Pro Fluid Video Mini Head:
Solid. Quality. I use it for shooting video with a DSLR and on a pocket dolly and am very satisfied with the results.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 701HDV Pro Fluid Video Mini Head:
I am a photographer.. not videographer. So don't laugh when you hear I was using my RRS BH-55 and panning by hand to capture video of my son's lacrosse games. Needless to say, very jerkey even with the smooth ballhead. I have a Canon HF M300 video camera which is a small unit, and I was concerned about a fluid head that would be "too much" for the small camera. This unit was just what I was looking for. It fit the video camera perfectly, and it has room for growth when I get move into DSLR video. The smoothness of the videos is like night and day, and you can stop at any point without any drift or unwanted movement. Very nice unit on my 055-MF4 Manfrotto carbon tripod.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 701HDV Pro Fluid Video Mini Head:
I use this for my Canon T2i and HD30 Camcorder. It is very smooth and sturdy. Great quick release with safety, and has both small and large mounting screws. Only slight niggle is that when panning downward, the internal fluid cartridge pushes it back up ever so slightly after letting go. Very minor. Doesn't happen panning upwards. Still gave it 5 for the quality/price ratio.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 701HDV Pro Fluid Video Mini Head:
Great Mini Head. I put t in my old Benro Tripod and now I have the feeling of having a great Tripod for Video.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 701HDV Pro Fluid Video Mini Head:
This tripod head offers amazingly smooth pans. I use a Canon 60D DSLR for amateur videography and it really gives my video a professional look. I even shot a music video and some of the slow pan shots I got with this head were remarkable. Definitely reccomend!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 701HDV Pro Fluid Video Mini Head:
Good product but one strange issue: How come my 501PL accessory plate from my Manfrotto 577 rapid connect adapter gets stuck in my 701HDV fluid head? Doesn't slide freely like the plate that came with the 701HDV fluid head. The plates look identical to me otherwise. Can't figure it out why one slides through fine and the other gets stuck part way and requires ALOT of force to slide in or remove. Is it bad tolerances on one of the 501PL plates I have or am I missing something? :/
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 701HDV Pro Fluid Video Mini Head:
I bought this to use with a Canon XA-10 after getting and returning a Manfrotto 502 head, which turned out to be comically large compare to the camcorder. This on size make a lot more sense. Overall I quite like this head and it feels very well built. It's a bit stiff at the moment, but I expect that to loosen up over time. I wish it had tunable pan drag, but it's otherwise perfect.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 701HDV Pro Fluid Video Mini Head:
This head supports my Nikon DSLR w/Battery Pack, external mic and 5"monitor very well. Movements are fluid. The base-plate ancor knob is sometimes hard to access. Very good value.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 701HDV Pro Fluid Video Mini Head:
Its everything Manfrotto, just mini. I am using for my K3 slider. Rare a product is all its suppose to be.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 701HDV Pro Fluid Video Mini Head:
The fluid head is smooth and holds its position when you stop moving.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 701HDV Pro Fluid Video Mini Head:
Nice and smooth fluid head for use with my Cinevate 5 ft Atlas 10 Camera Slider and Panasonic HPX250. It's a perfect fit for this combination.