Manfrotto 502HD Pro Video Head with 75mm Half-Ball
The Manfrotto 502HD Pro Video Head with 75mm Half-Ball is an affordable yet remarkably full-featured professional head that represents an advance over the popular 501HDV, with sturdier construction and a half-ball for precise leveling on a corresponding tripod.
Also featuring Manfrotto's patented bridging technology (inherited from the 509HD and 504HD heads), the 502HD is designed for executing cinematic moves with compact camcorders and DSLR video cameras. It supports up to 8.8 lb, and spring-loaded counterbalance is set for that weight. The balance plate's 3.27" range allows you to correct for uneven payloads that might be due to matte boxes or exotic DSLR rig configurations.
The bridging technology ensures that the pan friction control is intuitive and easy to set, but also protected against knocks. There are of course independent locks for pan and tilt, and drag for both is selectable in a continuous range from zero to the max level. This allows you to operate the head in a confident, smooth manner using the included pan bar.
- Pan drag and tilt drag are continuously adjustable from 0 (no drag) to the maximum level
- 75mm half ball connects to the corresponding bowl in a tripod (not included) and enables precise leveling
- Sliding quick-release plate secured by secondary safety system
| Load Capacity | 8.8 lb (4 kg) |
| Diameter/Thread |
75mm half ball 3/8"-16 thread to which half ball connects |
| Counter Balance System | Spring-loaded |
| Counter Balance Range | One fixed spring for 8.8 lb (4 kg) camera weight |
| Center of Gravity | Not specified by manufacturer |
| Quick Release/Wedge Plate | 504PLONG plate with 1/4"-20 & 3/8"-16 screws |
| Balance Plate | 504PLONG plate slides 3.27" (83.0 mm) |
| Tilt Drag | Continuously adjustable from 0 to max level |
| Tilt Range | -80° to +90° tilt range front to back |
| Tilt Lock | Yes |
| Spring Loaded Counter Bal | Yes |
| Pan Drag | Continuously adjustable from 0 to max level |
| Pan Range | 360° |
| Pan Lock | Yes |
| Pan Bar |
1 included 2 possible positions |
| Leveling Bubble/Illuminated | Yes/not specified by manufacturer |
| Material | Aluminum |
| Color | Black |
| Temperature Range | -4 to +104 °F (-20 to +60 °C) |
| Height | 5.91" (15.0 cm) |
| Weight | 3.97 lb (1.8 kg) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 4 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
100%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Stable (4)
Cons
Best Uses
- Video (3)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Pro photographer (3)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (4)
Reviewed by 4 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-4
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
- Haven't found any yet
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Sports/Action
- Travel
- Video
Comments about Manfrotto 502HD Pro Video Head with 75mm Half-Ball:
As a professional video journalist I needed to replace my 12 year old Manfrotto 501 head. The 502HD hear is a major step above. Its smooth, fast and easy to use. Far and away the best head for the money. Its heavy enough to be stable, but light enough to pack in my luggage without causing overweight charges. Coupled with the Manfrotto carbon fiber legs, its my most used piece of equipment after my camera.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Good Stability
Cons
Best Uses
- Video
Comments about Manfrotto 502HD Pro Video Head with 75mm Half-Ball:
Very smooth! Using the 502HD on a jib with good results.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Good Stability
- Super Fluid
Cons
- Mounting problem
- None
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 502HD Pro Video Head with 75mm Half-Ball:
This head looks huge, metal, strong, and very heavy, yet due to the bridging technology, the head is not much heavier than the 501HDV head. Very lightweight, shockingly lighweight. Handles well with my 60D and 17-55mm f2.8 IS USM. The head is shockingly fluid, more fluid than the 701HDV and the 501HDV.
THE HALF BALL
You are probably looking at these reviews trying to see if you might need the halfball. For $20-30 extra dollars, yes. If you are on unlevel ground, instead of adjusting your legs, you can just pivot the half ball.
MOUNTING FAIL: Upon mounting a dslr or any camera with a wider base than the tripod head (which are a lot of cameras) the locking screw for the plate hits the camera and therefore cannot be locked without having to make the plate be far back or far forward. This is the only reason it is not 5 star. Every manfrotto plate does this and it is horrible.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Adjusts Easily
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Industrial
- Landscape/Scenery
- Sports/Action
- Video
Comments about Manfrotto 502HD Pro Video Head with 75mm Half-Ball:
Mounted to the Manfroto 535 Carbon Fiber Tripod.
Very light weigth. SMOOTH - SMOOTH - SMOOTH...it's like butter. Finger touch controls. The pan and tilt work beaufitully and lock down when needed. Adjustments are precise and are easy to navigate through. Tensioning through the precise Fluid Drag System is a BIG Plus, Customize it to your own Personal touch. It's a perfect Pro Tool that is light but has all the features of the bigger heads. I't a Joy to use and reasonably priced! It's clean Italian design and funcitonality puts it head and shoulders above the rest!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Images shared by Pixel-Pete
SMOOTH - Finger tip control.
(6 of 6 customers found this review helpful)
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Displaying reviews 1-4
Quick Release Plates
-
- Original: $64.90
- Save: $6.95
- Price: $57.95
Handles & Accessories
-
- Original: $34.95
- Save: $1.00
- Price: $33.95
What's in the Box
- 75mm Half Ball
- Pan Bar
- 504PLONG Long Quick-Release Mounting Plate
- 2 Year Limited Warranty + 3 Year Extension upon Online Registration
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