Manfrotto 503HDV Professional Video Fluid Head- Supports 17.6 lbs (8kg)

Comments about Manfrotto 503HDV Professional Video Fluid Head- Supports 17.6 lbs (8kg):

I use this on my video rig and home-made timelapse robot. Love, love, love this heavy beast! What used to be shot after shot and frustration and anger for a simple pan before buying this 'little' guy has become a huge increase in productivity and creativity. The incredibly easy to adjust handle has proven to be a life saver. And on more than one occasion in my travels I have relocated it back and forth while in the field. By far, the locking mechanism is my favorite, especially since you can increase tension in the x and y axis independently. the 503 does exactly what I would expect a fluid head to do. Also I love the shiftable foot and the dual locking foot collar.

Comments about Manfrotto 503HDV Professional Video Fluid Head- Supports 17.6 lbs (8kg):

I recommend 503HDV Professional Video Fluid Head

Comments about Manfrotto 503HDV Professional Video Fluid Head- Supports 17.6 lbs (8kg):

I'm using a a tripod with geared head for photographic stills and got this with the Ball Leveller 3502 for video work. It works well. I looked at the 504 head and liked it a little better functionally, but could not adapt that head as easily to the tripod I have and use for other purposes. This saved me from carrying another tripod as I still like the geared head for stills.

Comments about Manfrotto 503HDV Professional Video Fluid Head- Supports 17.6 lbs (8kg):

Pans are smooth and slick. Should have purchased much sooner. Only gripe is I can't quite fully balance my Canon 5D II with my 70-200 2.8L with dual-battery grip due to insufficient clearance caused by the battery grip. Can't slide it forward far enough even with the tension spring at max/3 setting.

Comments about Manfrotto 503HDV Professional Video Fluid Head- Supports 17.6 lbs (8kg):

Heavy enough for teleprompter

Comments about Manfrotto 503HDV Professional Video Fluid Head- Supports 17.6 lbs (8kg):

I can't believe how great this head is! It is really overkill for me, since I am not a film maker, but when you want to have your videos look professional, you can't rely on low end consumer equipment. I upgraded from a Manfrotto 700RC2, which I found to be lacking. No variable drag controls on the 700 and it wobbled on it's own mounting. There was about 5 degrees of tilt before the head's tilt action would move. Not good.

The 503, on the other hand, is amazing. Variable drag in both tilt and pan makes camera moves smooth as silk. And the counterbalance is amazing as well. I use a very light camera, at least for this head. Only 2.5 pounds (1.1 Kgs), but with the counter balance set on 1, and the tilt drag at a very light setting, the camera stays in place like it was glued.

I must admit, I was a bit concerned about spending this much money on a fluid head after reading some of the more negative reviews here. But clearly, some of those reviews were written by people that have not even touched one, let alone used it. One review even complained about a panning handle only on the left side. Rubbish! The panning handle comes unattached but with the right side set up to receive it. You have the option of putting it on the left, or to add a second handle if you wish.

Another reviewer complained about the counterbalance and how difficult it is to use. That one must not have read the instructions. One time through the instructions and this head is my favorite piece of video gear. If I have one complaint, it is the small type in the instructions. Just one of the disadvantages of old age.

One other thing that shows Manfrottos attention to detail. The camera mounting plate comes with both a 1/2 inch and a 3/8 inch screw. You can remove whichever screw you don't need. The great thing about this is, there are two theaded holes in the head where you can store the screw you aren't using, but it is still close at hand! Now that is thinking ahead!

Great, great product

Comments about Manfrotto 503HDV Professional Video Fluid Head- Supports 17.6 lbs (8kg):

I have been shooting short films with this and it is great. Very smooth but a little jerky on the start.

Comments about Manfrotto 503HDV Professional Video Fluid Head- Supports 17.6 lbs (8kg):

I use it for birds picture

Comments about Manfrotto 503HDV Professional Video Fluid Head- Supports 17.6 lbs (8kg):

I have recently purchased the Manfrotto 503HDV fluid head tripod and love it. I was recently filming a wedding with my old head and it was so clunky that I had to use my tripod like a monopod to get any sort of camera movement. My new head however is really smooth and I can actually put a pan or tilt into my shots which of course has increased production quality!
There aren't too many negative things I can say about this fluid head. The only thing is that I wish it had a ball head so that I could level my shots without having to adjust the legs. Considering the price of the head though I think it's a great buy, the movement is very fluid and it's a big sturdy head with an illuminated bubble. I would recommend it to anyone who doesn't have squillions of dollars to spend on a tripod head.

Comments about Manfrotto 503HDV Professional Video Fluid Head- Supports 17.6 lbs (8kg):

The 504HDV was the best choice for my use.

I use my camera for a wide range of still photography and now video I like to maximize the versatility of my cameras and peripherals.
In this case the tripod/head.

With the 503HDV fluid video head I can now use my 600mm f/4 lens and DSLR @ (15 lbs) for video and stills. When needed I have a very good fluid head for easy panning with a smaller lens.

The 503HDV gets me a lot of versatility and at a good price. With that said, I must say I'm very impressed with the 503's design. The controls are very accessible and easily adjusted.

I give it five stars because I am so pleased and confident with it and that is rare.

Comments about Manfrotto 503HDV Professional Video Fluid Head- Supports 17.6 lbs (8kg):

We're using this head this for a couple of full-sized broadcast cameras. I like the fact that it supports more than 17 lbs and is smooth as silk, once we dialed it in.

Comments about Manfrotto 503HDV Professional Video Fluid Head- Supports 17.6 lbs (8kg):

I was really hoping to pay the extra money to get a better preforming head, but instead I use it to support a Kanova slider on my wedding shoots. It just had a little too much play in the panning no matter what adjustment we made. 501 was much better for it.

Comments about Manfrotto 503HDV Professional Video Fluid Head- Supports 17.6 lbs (8kg):

Manfrotto in my mind always gave me a good product to use in my video business. This 503HDV video fluid head makes it easy, smooth, and comfortable to get great shots with my HDV cameras that I use.

Comments about Manfrotto 503HDV Professional Video Fluid Head- Supports 17.6 lbs (8kg):

I'm using this head with my DVX-100a, and am simply amazed at the performance. The 501 QR plate adds simplicity to each job. I'm thankful that I made the investment in this quality head, which offers all the bells and whistles, including a lit level bubble, extending swivel arm for ease of panning and tension adjustment for ease of use.

Comments about Manfrotto 503HDV Professional Video Fluid Head- Supports 17.6 lbs (8kg):

I use 503HDV with my Canon 7D and EF-300 f/4 plus extender 1.4 for birds photography. It is well balanced and doesn't tilt even when it is not locked. This fluid head is very well built, and can be adjusted easily to fit my pan and tilt needs. Yes, it is heavy but that weight give the stability for some very sharp images.

Comments about Manfrotto 503HDV Professional Video Fluid Head- Supports 17.6 lbs (8kg):

I use this product to shoot weddings. It works great for what I need. The tilt lock is very sensitive but overall I love it.

Comments about Manfrotto 503HDV Professional Video Fluid Head- Supports 17.6 lbs (8kg):

Well made and just the right combo for my Sony FS-100U. Shares the same base plate as the monopod - makes it easy.

Comments about Manfrotto 503HDV Professional Video Fluid Head- Supports 17.6 lbs (8kg):

I use 503HDV Professional Fluid Head with my Sony PMW EX1R and Canon 5D Mark II. It is a great product for the money.

Comments about Manfrotto 503HDV Professional Video Fluid Head- Supports 17.6 lbs (8kg):

The only reason I'm giving this 2 stars is becuase it works as advertised. But if you're a true operator or film professional, this head is completely worthless and sloppy.

The tilt is extremely difficult to unlock and a horrible design. After a day of shooting I think I sprained my wrist from unlocking it so many times.

The drag is worthless and not very smooth. And don't even bother with the counter weight, might work for a 5 pound camera but that's about it.

I mean maybe I got a bad one, but there is way too much slop in the pan and tilt.

Do yourself a favor and spend another $300 or so to get a better head. I'm going to sell this one on an auction site.

Comments about Manfrotto 503HDV Professional Video Fluid Head- Supports 17.6 lbs (8kg):

[...]...The 503HDV head is worth every penny, really provided some great shots, smooth pans.