Manfrotto 504HD Head w/535 2-Stage Carbon Fiber Tripod System

Comments about Manfrotto 504HD Head w/535 2-Stage Carbon Fiber Tripod System:

The tripod is sturdy and extends to a good height allowing me to shoot over the heads and directly to the speaker in a conference room. I did have to loosen the screws at the pivot points of the legs to make it easier to set up, break down or move around. No big deal, I do this on all of my tripods. It is a bit on the heavy side especially with the 504HD head but over all, it is just what I was looking for. Which brings me to the head. Very nice construction. It pans very smooth in all directions. I have used it with a Canon XHA1, Canon 5D MkII and a Canon 7D. Needless to say, you would be well advised to set it up for your rig prior to your shoot to enjoy all that it has to give. If set up correctly, you should be very happy.

Comments about Manfrotto 504HD Head w/535 2-Stage Carbon Fiber Tripod System:

Would have preferred for the pan lock to be on the left or right instead of underneath the sled, but it is a very good light-weight tripod.

For the money, however, I expected it to be more streamlined for shooters.

Comments about Manfrotto 504HD Head w/535 2-Stage Carbon Fiber Tripod System:

I am very pleased with my504HD Head with 535 2-Stage Carbon Fiber Tripod by Manfrotto. The head is perfect and finally after trying couple different heads, it gave me a very smooth and steady movements and balancing of my Sony EX1R. The controls are simple and easy to use. Tripod i steady not heavy. This set up is very useful when I am on a run while shooting events. Great tripod system a little bit to pricy.

Comments about Manfrotto 504HD Head w/535 2-Stage Carbon Fiber Tripod System:

I shoot videos of live performances with my lightweight Pana HMC150. I'm often at 400mm (or even longer, in the past) so I need a very stable 'pod. My aging Bogen w/ center crank was getting sloppy so I was looking for a new set of telescoping legs. Maybe this is a 5 star combo-- I could tell you next season.

The 535 legs are real fine. Almost no torsional movement. Much better to my eyes than the popular dual brace legs you see everywhere. I was concerned that 3 fixed leg angles wouldn't meet my occasional need for operation in cramped quarters (e.g. behind the last row of seats in an audiotorium) but you can set the legs to small angles, with some small loss of rigidity compared to the first detent setting. The leg locks are strong and leveling is easy. I appreciate the light on the bubble.

The 504 head I am still getting used to after many years with the Bogen. It pays to patiently experiment with the drag and counterbalance settings. They interrelate for total effect. Be sure you get your pan handle properly set, and initial balance of the cam is important. This isn't hard. I'm just saying take your time. I'm now using counterbalance 1 and h and v drags at 5 or so and I'm able to get smooth starts on pans, and stable cam when I release the handle. On a rapid pan I get a nice pushback from the head that smooths my movement.

The multilingual instructions for the 504 are more than a little awkward-- try holding your cam, the head, flipping the pages back and forth and reading the small font all at the same time!

Comments about Manfrotto 504HD Head w/535 2-Stage Carbon Fiber Tripod System:

Upgrade from old fluid tripod head. Stronger, smoother, and more stable. A wonderful combination.

Comments about Manfrotto 504HD Head w/535 2-Stage Carbon Fiber Tripod System:

I am very pleased to have made this purchase[...] Light, strong, easy to use - very easy to rotate camera on ball, to hold fast, to balance according to built in level, with light. The first day I mastered it. I am doing feature and short length dramatic films; the smooth flow of the ball, the adjustable flow make moving shots easy to set up and to exact. My camera is lightweight, Sony NX5U, but the camera can hold camera's as heavy as 16 pounds. I hope to buy a jib and I am told that the Manfrotto 504 HD will support the weight of a lightweight one. I have only had this item for three weeks, so I cannot speak to its durability.

Comments about Manfrotto 504HD Head w/535 2-Stage Carbon Fiber Tripod System:

This tripod towers above me an I am 6' 3" tall. So I heard it was tall but what about the weight of the tripod. It is extremely light--due to carbon fiber legs. I mount the Canon xf305 on this baby and I can film without having people walk in front of my camcorder. Previous tripod = Bogen = great but not nearly as tall. Would I recommend this to anyone with a camera less than 16.5 lbs, ABSOLUTELY!

Comments about Manfrotto 504HD Head w/535 2-Stage Carbon Fiber Tripod System:

The 504 Head and 2 stage Carbon Fiber Tripod by Manfrotto is a good product. Our Camera person that has been shooting video for 20 years said it works really good. The tripod is light and the 504 head works good.

Comments about Manfrotto 504HD Head w/535 2-Stage Carbon Fiber Tripod System:

Lightweight, solid, and easy to use. Probably over-kill for my Panasonic GH2 at the moment, but once I start adding a cage, rails, follow-focus, PL mount lenses, etc. it will be perfect. I don't dread carrying it around and all of the adjustments feel intuitive.

Comments about Manfrotto 504HD Head w/535 2-Stage Carbon Fiber Tripod System:

Shooting most every weekend require setting up equipment, tripod, monitor several times. The weight of my old tripod legs and head are heavy. This new carbon fiber and head are just what the doctor ordered. Strong, lightweight that perform well. This move to carbon fiber is long over due. The cost is just right. It has been used now on a few jobs. It took me only one night to fine tune the camera weight to the head for good balance for pan and tilt. I love the light up level bubble. The caring bag will protect the system for years to come. Cons? none.

Comments about Manfrotto 504HD Head w/535 2-Stage Carbon Fiber Tripod System:

I've been looking for a long time for a versatile, solid tripod for my Canon 5D Mark II + all my accessories. And this is the one! People seem to complain about the weight, but I found it lighter than anything I ever used with this type of construction. Great Product, Highly Recommended.

Comments about Manfrotto 504HD Head w/535 2-Stage Carbon Fiber Tripod System:

I bought this tripod and head for digiscoping with a rather heavy camera. I was most concerned with stability, which it provides better than I had hoped. However, the best surprise is the smoothness of the head. A big scope with a heavy camera can make it difficult to spot subjects, especially animals or birds that are moving, but with this smooth head, it is easy.

Comments about Manfrotto 504HD Head w/535 2-Stage Carbon Fiber Tripod System:

I use the product mostly for video work. The 504hd head has ton of control and is rock stable. The only downsize is the weight. The carrying case is large but very comfortable to carry.

Comments about Manfrotto 504HD Head w/535 2-Stage Carbon Fiber Tripod System:

I was a wait for this tripod but well worth the money. I love the fluid movement of the tripod head as well as the sturdiness of this tripod. We use the Canon XLh1s HD Video camera with this tripod and it is sturdy as a rock. I always have a good experience with B&H. Thanks.

Comments about Manfrotto 504HD Head w/535 2-Stage Carbon Fiber Tripod System:

For all of its amazing features, the 504HD is relatively compact. The new bridging technology does wonders to the smoothness and balance of whatever setup you may have. Definitely an economical purchase.