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HomeProfessional VideoTripods, Supports & RigsTripods & MonopodsVideo Tripod HeadsManfrotto 509HD

Manfrotto 509HD Professional Video Head

BH #MA509HD • MFR #509HD
14 reviews
Manfrotto 509HD Professional Video Head
Key Features
  • Load Capacity up to 29 lb
  • 100mm Half Ball
  • 4-Step Counterbalance Mechanism
  • Ergonomic Adjustments
The Manfrotto 509HD Professional Video Head supports professional video camera systems weighing up to 29 lb. A four-step counterbalance mechanism ensures optimum balance and helps for quick setup. The tripod head features ergonomic adjustments and Easy Link connectors, and it uses lightweight PVC-free materials in its components. Featuring bridging technology with a ball bearing drag system, this tripod head offers professional-quality stability as well as precise, smooth movements.
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$1,259.88
$105/mo. suggested payments for 12 Mos.
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Manfrotto 509HD Overview

The Manfrotto 509HD Professional Video Head supports professional video camera systems weighing up to 29 lb. A four-step counterbalance mechanism ensures optimum balance and helps for quick setup. The tripod head features ergonomic adjustments and Easy Link connectors, and it uses lightweight PVC-free materials in its components. Featuring bridging technology with a ball bearing drag system, this tripod head offers professional-quality stability as well as precise, smooth movements.

A unique Advance Balancing Recorder (ABR) feature can record the perfect balanced position for your camera equipment so that the position can be recalled later on. This electronic ABR feature reduces the time needed for setting up and balancing your camera system on the tripod head.

Features

Tripod head for professional video applications
Load capacity up to 29 lb
4-step counterbalance mechanism ensures optimum balance and quick setup
Ergonomic adjustments and Easy Link connectors
Uses lightweight PVC-free materials in its components
Bridging Technology with a ball bearing drag system for professional quality stability as well as precise, smooth movements
Advance Balancing Recorder (ABR) records the perfect balanced position for your camera equipment so that the position can be recalled later on
UPC: 719821330721

Manfrotto 509HD Specs

Camera Plate
Safety LockYes
Physical
Load Capacity28.66 lb / 13 kg
Counter BalanceIncremental 3-Step Plus 0 (0 to 28.6 lb / 0 to 13 kg)
Dimensions7.01" / 17.8 cm
Packaging Info
Package Weight10.55 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)16.2 x 10.6 x 7.7"

Manfrotto 509HD Reviews

Manfrotto QA and CS is HORRIBLE

By Michael
Rated 1 out of 5
Date: 2018-08-21

Non-existent quality control. Bought 2 of their 509 heads both had issues. Got a 504 in a 509 box and the other was damaged in a way that was so careless it reflected almost perfectly the apathy of the Vitec customer service. Manfrotto has a BBB rating of -D, go figure. B&H of course, as always, was wonderful and acted in good faith addressing the issue. But have zero confidence in Manfrotto/Vitec.

Not a fluid head

By Anonymous
Rated 3 out of 5
Date: 2016-01-20

This is good but not great. It is a friction head not a fluid head. It has a good load range and counterbalance well with little or no spring hysterisis. When locked down the wide plate area provide ample support and balance for large camera or slider. However this is not Manfrotto's best head, it is not as smooth as the old 510 or its replacement 526 but these have much smaller load range. It is not up there with any of the Sachtler heads in terms of smoothness. To me it is pretentiously pro like minus the actual professional quality in higher price heads. In use you will notice the movement feels rather artificial and unnatural unlike the organic feedback you get from a true fluid head but with practice you can still get the job done.

Too much money for this weak product

By Anonymous
Rated 1 out of 5
Date: 2015-11-27

I've been using this head for 3 years now and had nothing but trouble with it. First the pan drag got broken, luckily under warranty it was repaired and next the tilt lock got broken. I had to order new parts. And now the tilt drag is also broken, when I open the head I notice that the PLASTIC screw-thread is broken and is not able to tighten the two plates anymore. I'm now switching to Sachtler!

Professional Video Head

By Boris
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2015-07-30

Now most of the time you already need some support up to 30lb so Its a good choice . Because its new a couple of days you can hear the liquid inside but then its getting smooth and quiet . Yet I can't see big difference with others pro brands unless you will need support higher than that .

Great fluid head!

By Jensen
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2015-05-19

I haven't had a lot of time with this head yet since we bought it to use exclusively on our Dana Dolly but it seems great! **Note: if you plan on using this with the Dana Dolly where you will be using the extra center support for the track, you will need to buy different hardware to tighten it into the bowl. The handle sticks down too far and hits the center support.

Save your money...get a SATCHLER

By guy with camera
Rated 3 out of 5
Date: 2015-02-01

Here's the REAL DEAL....it is SMOOTH when you pan up and down. It is Smooth when you pan left and right.. It can hold a LOT OF WIEGHT...the carbon fiber sticks that come with the KIT are AWSOME....they can be used as a temporary homeless shelter or a toll booth if need be.. that's how high it goes. But the problem when you pan diagonally....thats when you notice what the difference is when compared to the SATCHLERS. Not BUTTERY SMOOTH AT ALL.....Dont get me wrong.....you will get professionally good looking results ..just don't pan diagonally. There's a saying I keep hearing that someone told me....buy a satchler dv10 ....keep it FOREVER....forever ever? EVER EVER? Yes....FOREVER

Heavy, Broken, Disappointed

By Nate
Rated 1 out of 5
Date: 2017-07-14

Doesn't lock, drifts down after you set a frame. knobs are cheap garbage, machining of locking screws feels loose and cheap. Does a bad job tilting/ panning/ landing on a frame smoothly. Heavy, awkward to carry. Recently hit a hard stop when trying to tilt up, problem resolved itself as mysteriously as it had come. Exercised the head on the advice of a grip. Found the hard stop again at 90 degrees down and head won't tilt back up now. Totally useless and has to be serviced. Bought in 2015, now 2017. I'm not that hard on my gear, it shouldn't be this jacked up, was never very good to start with. Was disappointed with performance when it came, some industry guys that were happy with theirs convinced me to keep it. Every single metric I can think of to judge a tripod head on, this one has failed. It's trash, $1000 trash. Just burn the $1000 instead, you'll get more pleasure out of it. review would be better but got screwed trying to upload a picture and my review got deleted. Thanks b&h

Super Video Head.

By Anonymous
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2016-05-17

The Best Head in the market. Smooth like butter.

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question

Hi, all. I need to find a replacement screw for locking down the tripod plate. Mine broke and the tripod is pretty much useless without being able to keep my camera from sliding back and forth. Any help?
Asked by: Paul
The correct part number for this piece is R509,31. Unfortunately we do not carry this at this time.
Answered by: Oliver C.
Date published: 2018-08-28

question

Which quick release adapter works with this plate?
Asked by: Clint D.
The plate that comes with this head is model 509PLONG. So the adapter you need would be the 577.
Answered by: Dideo M. Manfrotto Expert
Date published: 2018-08-28

question

I am hoping to combo this head with a pair of Gitzo sticks. If I get the 100mm half ball adapter and combine it with the Gitzo Series 3 legs, will the 509 mount correctly?(Below are the exact products that Im looking at combining it with) Gitzo Series 3 6X Systematic Carbon Fiber Tripod (X-Long) Gitzo Systematic 100mm Half-Bowl Video Head Adapter Series 5
Asked by: Sean C.
I think the 100mm half ball is an universal system. I use my 509 head with a Benro tripod.Regards,Leif Rune Sundli
Answered by: Leif Rune S.
Date published: 2018-08-28

question

The pay load of 509 hd head is 13.5kg and it has a maximum counter balance of 12 kg,so can i use ursa of 7.5 kg,cannon lens of 4 .5 kg and battery ,view finder of 2 kg,(total of 15 kg) ,on this head? Manfrotto repreaentative says it is compatable to upto 25 kg,plse reply,regards dr asok
Asked by: Asok
The 509HD has a load capacity up to 29 pounds or 13.1kg. A total of 15kg is above the load capacity. You would need to look at the Manfrotto 526 instead, which has a load capacity of 35 lbs or 16kg.https://bhpho.to/2NbClNJ
Answered by: Anonymous
Date published: 2018-10-24

question

Is the 509HD a friction head or a fluid head?
Asked by: Cameron R.
Perfect fluid heaad
Answered by: Matias .
Date published: 2018-08-28

question

How does the half ball come off?
Asked by: Anonymous
To remove the half ball you must unscrew the center column/shaft at the base of the head, then underneath the half ball you'll see a silver nut that can be unscrewed.
Answered by: BRHONSON L S.
Date published: 2018-08-28

question

Hi, just double check if this head compatible with the 501PL quick release plate? Thanks
Asked by: Lenny P.
The short answer to your question is no; the509HD head is not compatible with the 501PL quick release. You may want to consider getting a 504PLONG quick release plate instead. -- B. L. S.
Answered by: BRHONSON L S.
Date published: 2018-08-28
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