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Manfrotto MVH500A Fluid Drag Video Head with MVT502AM Tripod and Carry Bag

BH #MAMVH500AM • MFR #MVK500AM
Manfrotto MVH500A Fluid Drag Video Head with MVT502AM Tripod and Carry Bag
Key Features
  • Supports 17.6 Pounds
  • Wide Platform for Camcorders & HDSLRs
  • 60mm Half Ball for Leveling
  • Spring-Loaded Counterbalance
The Manfrotto MVH500A Fluid Drag Video Head with MVT502AM Tripod and Carry Bag features a fluid head with a wide platform to support the HDSLR form factor, and a 60mm half ball for quick leveling without adjusting the legs. The head supports a maximum weight load of 17.6 pounds and has a built-in, pre-set spring-loaded counterbalance of 5.3 pounds. It features a tilt range of -70°/+90° and provides a panning rotation of 360°. The head also features a side lock system for the sliding quick release plate, a pan handle, and an integrated bubble level.
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Manfrotto MVH500A Tripod System Overview

  • 1Description
  • 2Fluid Head
  • 3Tripod legs
  • 4Padded Carry Bag

The Manfrotto MVH500A Fluid Drag Video Head with MVT502AM Tripod and Carry Bag features a fluid head with a wide platform to support the HDSLR form factor, and a 60mm half ball for quick leveling without adjusting the legs. The head supports a maximum weight load of 17.6 pounds and has a built-in, pre-set spring-loaded counterbalance of 5.3 pounds. It features a tilt range of -70°/+90° and provides a panning rotation of 360°. The head also features a side lock system for the sliding quick release plate, a pan handle, and an integrated bubble level.

The two-stage tripod features a 75mm bowl and includes a 75 to 60mm adapter for the MVH500A head. The legs are individually adjustable and feature a mid-level spreader for stability on uneven ground. The minimum height of the tripod and head is just over two feet, for getting low angle shots, and the maximum height is just over five feet. The legs feature non-removable feet suitable for exteriors and interiors, and are gentle on delicate floors. The included padded carry bag makes transporting your tripod and head simple and easy.

Fluid Head
The wide camera platform provides support for DSLR cameras, making this head suitable for both camcorders and DSLR cameras.
The 60mm half ball allows you to quickly level the head without having to readjust the legs. It also makes it simpler to create Dutch angle shots without dangerously unbalancing the tripod.
The spring-loaded counterbalance is fixed at 5.3 pounds; however, the head supports 17.6 pounds, and the counterbalance will still provide assistance when using camera setups heavier than 5.3 pounds.
Professional fluid cartridges provide fixed fluid drag in both the pan and tilt axes.
The head features a tilt range of 90 degrees forward and 70 degrees back, allowing you to tilt the camera straight down, and tilt it almost straight up.
The head pans through 360 degrees, allowing you to take long panoramic shots or spin the camera around on the head.
The side lock system allows the sliding QR plate to click into the head from above, instead of needing to be aligned and slid in from the back. This gives you the speed of a touch and go quick release with the balance adjustment capability of a sliding plate.
An integrated bubble level on the head aids you in quickly leveling the fluid head.
The included 500PLONG sliding quick release plate includes both a 1/4"-20 and 3/8"-16 camera tie-down screws.
The head includes one pan bar and features two pan bar mounting rosettes, one on each side of the head, for left or right-handed operation. A second optional pan bar allows you to operate the head with two pan bars at the same time.
The Easy Link connector is a 3/8"-16 threaded hole in the side of the head that allows you to easily mount accessories to the fluid head itself, and not the camera.
Tripod legs
Featuring a 75mm bowl for attaching a fluid head, a 75 to 60mm adapter is included for using with the MVH500A head.
The tripod legs can support over 33 pounds, easily carrying the weight of the fluid head and camera. The closed length (without fluid head) is just over two feet, has a height range of 22.4 to 56.5 inches, and weighs only 4.3 pounds.
The legs are constructed out of oval aluminum tubes for strength and durability. Each leg can be independently raised and lowered when required.
The mid-level spreader helps prevent instability that a ground-level spreader can introduce when working on uneven surfaces.
Non-removable rubber feet provide secure grip and are gentle on delicate surfaces, such as interior floors.
An elastic leg strap helps keep the legs secured together during transportation and storage.
Padded Carry Bag
The padded carry bag keeps your tripod and head together during storage or transport.
UPC: 719821346982

Manfrotto MVH500A Tripod System Specs

Key Specs
Camera Plate Features
Quick Release, Sideload, Sliding Balance Plate
Camera Plate Type
500PLONG
Camera Mounting Screw
1 x 1/4"-20 Male
1 x 3/8"-16 Male
Counter Balance
Fixed (5.29 lb / 2.4 kg)
Drag Type
Fluid
Load Capacity
17.6 lb / 8 kg
Maximum Working Height
60.63" / 154.00 cm
Minimum Working Height
26.57" / 67.49 cm
Closed Length
28.35" / 72.01 cm
Materials
Aluminum
Leg Lock Type
Flip Lock
Leg Sections
3
Feet Features
Rubber
Camera Plate
Camera Plate Features
Quick Release, Sideload, Sliding Balance Plate
Camera Plate Type
500PLONG
Camera Mounting Screw
1 x 1/4"-20 Male
1 x 3/8"-16 Male
Head
Base Mount
60 mm Half Ball
Counter Balance
Fixed (5.29 lb / 2.4 kg)
Bubble Level
1
Pan & Tilt
Drag Control
Pan: Fixed
Tilt: Fixed
Drag Type
Fluid
Vertical Tilt
+90° to -70°
Panning Range
360°
General
Load Capacity
17.6 lb / 8 kg
Maximum Working Height
60.63" / 154.00 cm
Minimum Working Height
26.57" / 67.49 cm
Closed Length
28.35" / 72.01 cm
Materials
Aluminum
Operating Temperature
-4 to 140°F / -20 to 60°C
Weight
7.85 lb / 3.56 kg
Legs
Leg Lock Type
Flip Lock
Independent Leg Spread
No
Leg Sections
3
Leg Diameter
0.85" / 21.59 mm (Maximum)
0.6" / 15.2 mm (Minimum)
Bubble Level
No
Feet Features
Rubber
Spreader
Mid-Level
Packaging Info
Package Weight
9.5 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
32 x 8 x 7"

Manfrotto MVH500A Tripod System Reviews

DISAPPOINTING

By Joel
Rated 2 out of 5
Date: 2023-09-11

Bought this tripod for video production use, hoping that I would soon buy 2 more if it ended up working well for me. Cannot express how cheap this product feels and unstable it is. The worst part is that the center support system running between the legs is attached via rubber linkage. So it can give and sway very easily. The spread of the tripod legs and the feet are not adjustable, the clasps that lock the legs in place are adequate but not well designed, and the bowl of the head does not lock in place firmly enough. It says it supports a 17lb camera, but I would not i good conscience place a camera nearly that heavy on this tripod. I've been a long-time manfrotto believer, but this specific product is severely overpriced and underwhelming in its performance.

Great started tripod and fluid head

By Christopher
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-12-28

its a great tripod to start you video journey.

Such an upgrade

By Jamie
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-12-26

We had been using a consumer model and this tripod increased our production immediately. Very smooth action, great dampening and easy to setup and balance our camera.

Just what I needed

By Guy
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-12-13

I bought it for smaller camera setups, it performed smoothly with a DSLR with cine lens and a fully loaded cage, matte box, 5 monitor and mini V-mount battery. A bit bendy with used with a slider like Edelkrone, but still better than any other tripod I used in this same category and size.

Light weight but fragile

By Oscar
Rated 2 out of 5
Date: 2022-09-25

I travel abroad for my work and appreciate a lightweight tripod to carry on the field. In two years of work the tripod has damaged and can't use it at the normal height. Won't recommend this if you are looking for durability.

Legs started to slip with less than a year use.

By Oscar
Rated 1 out of 5
Date: 2022-05-19

This is my first brand new Manfrotto tripod that I buy. The R1032 leg upper clamp doesn't lock correctly and it slips. Very sad and irritated with this purchase.

Dslr only, not for rigs.

By Cooper
Rated 3 out of 5
Date: 2023-05-13

I can't believe this price point, no spiked feet, not ideal for camera rigs. Someone bumps it, it's all over. For almost .5k i would expect at least twice what this tripod has to offer. Not for cinema.

Tripod in the field

By Lawrence
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2023-01-16

Sturdy, easy to use, light weight and nice movement of the head with a prosumer sized camera. Just wish the level/bubble were in a more visible location.

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Is the half ball removable so that a flat plate ...

Is the half ball removable so that a flat plate is exposed if I want to mount this to a slider?
Asked by: Ethan
It is not. It is a 60mm ball head only, it cannot be converted to a flat base. What you could do instead is purchase the legs separate along with the flat base 500AH model and the 75mm Ball Adapter. Manfrotto Legs Only - https://bhpho.to/2jODzMY Flat Base Version of Head - https://bhpho.to/2drN3e3 75mm Ball Adapter - https://bhpho.to/2VoEN8w
Answered by: Joseph
Date published: 2019-05-08

question

Can I put the head upside down, so that I can shoot from lower angles?
Asked by: Anonymous
I have tried this and it does work, although panning and tilted becomes limited due to the tripod legs.
Answered by: Carter L.
Date published: 2018-08-28

question

Can the fluid head be separated for use with other tripod or monopod?
Asked by: Narasinga Kishore
It can as long as the tripod works with a 60mm ball or 75mm using the included adapter.
Answered by: Carter L.
Date published: 2018-08-28

question

can you release the mid level spreader? I've heard you can't detach that at all. How much can you actually spread the legs?
Asked by: Anonymous
Sorry, no you cannot remove the spreader on this tripod. The max spread is what you see here about 22.
Answered by: Dennis A L.
Date published: 2018-08-28

Can this tilt to shoot perfectly vertical rather ...

Can this tilt to shoot perfectly vertical rather than horizontal?
Asked by: Jordan
Unfortunately, the MVH500A fluid head (and most professional video heads) do not offer this. If you would like to shoot vertical video, there are devices and accessories that will allow you to mount your camera vertically on the fluid head. I'd recommend reaching out to us and we can figure a solution out with you! :)
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Date published: 2021-11-03

question

My tripod case strap broke and I can't seem to find this particular case that came with the MVK500AM tripod set anywhere. It fits perfectly and that is quite important for my travels. The ones I tried are either too short, too long or too narrow. What alternative Manfrotto case would you recommend?
Asked by: Jeremy
An alternative will be the Manfrotto MBAG75PN bag (MABMABAG75PN ).
Answered by: James B.
Date published: 2018-08-28
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