Manfrotto 519 Pro Fluid Video Head

Comments about Manfrotto 519 Pro Fluid Video Head:

great for professional jobs
smooth and reliable

Comments about Manfrotto 519 Pro Fluid Video Head:

I have just finished a week's intensive location shooting with the AF100 mounted on this head and Gitzo legs. Overall, the experience was good. The head is solidly built at a reasonable mass. The movements are smooth - better in fact than on fluid heads at twice the price so the value is excellent. My minor complaints:
As the head heats up in the sun the counter balance changes. The controls fall easily to hand however so adjustments are easily made.
There is a slight slop if movements are reversed - but that is rarely the case for me - but for someone following a figure back & forth, this would be a concern.

Comments about Manfrotto 519 Pro Fluid Video Head:

This is a great head...very capable and lots of features. Used for a top heavy DSL rig but the 22lb capacity worked well to stabilize and support. I actually had to return mine because of some rumble and vibration in the pan noticed mostly during zero drag operation. Still waiting for my new one to arrive.

Comments about Manfrotto 519 Pro Fluid Video Head:

I use the 519 on a set of old film tripod legs. I use my Panasonic HVX and 5d cinema rig on this head, as well as just the 5d with a light wide angle lens sans cinema accessories. The 519 delivers smooth pans for all these setups, easy locking for static shots. The design and build are spot on. I dont think it can be beat for the same amount of money. The $1500 and up heads by the film equipment manufactures do beat this head, especially for very heavy setups. All in all a perfect tool for videographers that use a mid-weight camera rig and that are not obsessed with wieght or mobility, as this is one of the heavier heads in its class.

Comments about Manfrotto 519 Pro Fluid Video Head:

I needed a fluid head for long distance shots of birds of brey and other wildlife in motion. I have previously used the 501, 503 and 504HD. This is the best of all, but it is only slightley better than the 504HD. The dual springs for different camera weights is a great idea that makes this more versatile.

I wish the Manfrotto products came with better instructions and guidelines. They need to improve in that area.

Comments about Manfrotto 519 Pro Fluid Video Head:

This head give a awesome result combined with the 545B Tripod. Smooth tilt and pan. Nice counter weight. Easy to use. We use it for pub, short-film and video clip and we have no regret having bought this product. I reccomand it.

Comments about Manfrotto 519 Pro Fluid Video Head:

excellent head. Great to have the option to swap the counter balance spring.

Comments about Manfrotto 519 Pro Fluid Video Head:

I love this head. It works perfect for my 17 lbs Cannon

Comments about Manfrotto 519 Pro Fluid Video Head:

This is the best Head for taking the pictures of Birds and Animals when you use super long telephoto lens such as 600mm f/4.

Comments about Manfrotto 519 Pro Fluid Video Head:

I put fieldscope with digital cameera on this video head and am using bird watching. Since this video head moves smootly,it is easy to catch the bird which is flying. Furthermore,since this video head is locked firmly,photograph dose not blur.

Comments about Manfrotto 519 Pro Fluid Video Head:

Nicest fluid head I've ever used. Very smooth motion and easily adjustable drag to suit every operator. Slide-mount and dial-adjustable counterbalance works great to dial in perfect balance. I shoot in HD with a JVC GY-HD110U, dual pan handles, varizoom controllers, 8" shoe-mounted LCD viewfinder display. Could easily add more gear and this head would still hold it all rock steady.