Somethings out of wack. I have somehow miss adjusted my new 503 HDV head to the point that 1) I get a popping noise when I go from 1,2,3 and off on the counter balance (the noise is when I pull back on the head similar to a 10 speed dropping into gear) and 2) I can only stabilize my tripod head by locking it with the flared lever, or turning the fluid drag on the left fully tight.

I called tech support at bogen, and they were very little help. The guy got snippy with me because I told him that the Bogen website was hard to navigate. Anyone run into this issue?

In other words, when all is said and done, I can get better action out of my old 503 head, this one I can't get to balance.

I have had the popping noise too. I think it's just the spring engaging. Does the spring engage, are you still getting any counterbalance? I have been disappointed with the 503 HDV. There is not enough tilt drag at all, but I have been able to balance my camera (DVC30.) What kind of camera do you have?

Yeah, I figured something was popping in, and yea, I've been dissapointed with the 503hdv. Mainly because the literature is horrible. And when I asked bogen tech support about it, they seemed lost like I did.

I've tried my Sony V1u and Sony Z1u and neither will really balance, I mean what's the point of tilt drag if I have to tighten in all the way to stop the camera from falling?

Sigh, I have too much Bogen stuff to change brands.

Yeah, my tilt drag is as tight as it gets, and still its about half as tight as the Vinten heads (set to level 3) I use at the TV studio. I got it for Christmas though, so I'll live with it for now.

See, I was under the impression, I could balance the thing without locking the triangle lever down any, but I haven't been able to.

Yeah, you should be able to. I'm able to balance my DVC30 on setting 1, even with a wide angle and wireless receiver. I just have to slide the plate back all the way when it gets really front heavy.

I'm still working with it. I still don't have the same action that I do with my older 503. Thanks for the boost though, I'll continue working on it.

About the fluid drag, yeah, I agree, it's pointless more or less since I have to pretty much tighten mine all the way, or mostly all the way.

The click is caused by the counter spring engaging. It's by design so there's not much you can do about it. I just picked one up and it works well with my HVX. I set it up by the manual; loosened all locks and set the counter spring to zero. Balance the camera so it doesn't tilt fore or aft, then set the counter spring on 3 and add a little drag to keep it from drifting. Works well for me so far! Of course it's only a few weeks old so we'll see how long it lasts.

Is the 503hdv a genuine fluid head ? If so then it should be possible to replace the fluid with some heavier(thicker) fluid.

Does anyone know what grade fluid is in them as standard ?
Some oil desidned for motorcycle suspension would do the trick.
I've got experience with forks,fluids etc.

I have to turn the drag all the tilt drag all the way up also.

Paul.

I struggled with the 503hdv to get it to balance properly and I could never get the drag to work well - I got mine last month and ended up selling it on ebay last week.
I would sooner have no controls at all than have to try and get this head to work well.

Hey Jon, what alternative or other head did you go with after you sold your 503.

I am still looking for a replacement to the 503HDV - a new tripod system in fact.

A bargain buy is a Libec 38 which is a small step up IMHO. This head is better than I imagined with built in drag - there is very little to control. Legs feel rigid.
I think I may go up to the sachtler FSB-6, which is where a lot of shooters end up. It really is a nice fluid head.
I travel in fairly remote locations, so I am looking at carbon fiber - adds quite a bit to the price. The Miller Solo sticks would be good with a FSB6 head or even the Miller D-10 which is a combo that B & H sell.

I have a month before my next shoot, so I will report on my purchase decision.

Well I'm sending mine into Bogen. I called an upper level dude there and he says I should not have to tighten my fluid drag so much to keep the tripod from tilting.

He also told me my Z1u is too light for the head, but the manual for the head says the head will hold down to 2.5lbs pounds.

So, I have to figure out a weekend that I can live without the head, since I'll be without it for a bout a week and change.

Steven,

Darn right, it should be able to balance a Z1. My V1 balances pretty well (almost perfectly!) on my Pro-6HDV (aka 503HDV with a paint job) at counterbalance setting 2 or 3 depending on what it's loaded up with.

Tilt friction is a bit feeble, I'll admit. But mine balances with tilt friction turned off completely.

Well, I can get it to balance, so to speak, but I can't get better action than my old 503, even my old 501. The guy at BH Photo said he's heard my complaint from others. We'll see what Bogen can come up with. I'll report back.

I sent mine back to Jersey/Bogen and spoke to a nice guy named John who works in service. On the day, which is today, he got mine to look at, he sent another one out immediately saying I needed a replacement. When I asked what was wrong with mine, he said it was lose inside for some odd reason. So, on this issue, I had not lost my mind and I probably really know how to adjust a head, but John said due to the condition of mine, there wasn't any adjusting I could do externally that would make it work right.

So my advice is if you are having a hard time with it, maybe it's needs a warranty repair. My head was less than 6 months old.

Well, I've tried everywhichaway to live with this 503hdv head, had it rebuilt etc, but I can get better action out of my 503 reg head. So my plan is to swing by New York and look at alternative heads for my main cam. I've contacted Vinten to see if the plates are interchangeable on their heads with my bogen heads. I hope so.

I've contacted Vinten to see if the plates are interchangeable on their heads with my bogen heads. I hope so.
Nope, at least not from the vision 3. It's twice the price but worth it.
You can put an Bogen/manfrotto 577 on top if you want to use your old plates.

Sorry to hear about your 503 HDV, tho' not particularly suprised.

The 501/ 503 plates won't go anywhere near a Vinten head, or vice versa.

Also, be aware that Vinten Vx series heads don't work at all well with Bogen/ Manfrotto sticks (actually, come to think of it, they don't seem to work well with anything but Vinten sticks).

It's to do with the design of the centre bolt, grip cup and handle.

You may be able to get the grip cup onto the centre bolt but unlikely to have more than a couple of degrees of adjustment, which VERY rapidly becomes a major PITA.

Having said all the above, the Vx series heads are magic if:

a. You have them on Vinten sticks.

b. The V 3 spring you choose happens to exactly match the COG of your chosen weapon configuration.

The V 6 does have infinately variable COG adjustment, but it only cuts in at a weight/ COG far too high for most HDV camera systems.

As has been suggested before, I would look at Libec, Sachtler or Miller for a replacement.


CS

Sorry to hear about your 503 HDV, tho' not particularly suprised.

The 501/ 503 plates won't go anywhere near a Vinten head, or vice versa.

Also, be aware that Vinten Vx series heads don't work at all well with Bogen/ Manfrotto sticks (actually, come to think of it, they don't seem to work well with anything but Vinten sticks).

It's to do with the design of the centre bolt, grip cup and handle.

You may be able to get the grip cup onto the centre bolt but unlikely to have more than a couple of degrees of adjustment, which VERY rapidly becomes a major PITA.

Having said all the above, the Vx series heads are magic if:

a. You have them on Vinten sticks.

b. The V 3 spring you choose happens to exactly match the COG of your chosen weapon configuration.

The V 6 does have infinately variable COG adjustment, but it only cuts in at a weight/ COG far too high for most HDV camera systems.

As has been suggested before, I would look at Libec, Sachtler or Miller for a replacement.


CS


Well drat. That's why I'm going to go to New York, I don't want to drop that much money without a lot of touchy feely. Thanks for the info. I was trying to avoid sticks, but I may have to eat it.

I looked at the 503 and 503 HDV when I was in the tripod market about a year and half ago. I selected a Miller model. I was not impressed with either of the 503 heads. Later, the 501 HDV came out, and I felt that was actually a better fit and smoother in operation than the 503 HDV.

Bogen replaced my head, I've not yet had a chance to try it out, but will soon. This replacement came after they fixed it once before.

I did go to New York and visit BH. The visit did not give me any choice for replacing all my tripods etc, which I won't do now.

When I first got my 503HDV, I was pretty happy with it. I was using it with a V1. But I loaned it out to a firend and he really cranked down all of the drags. Now it seems like I go from it being too loose to too tight with very little adjustment. I am using Vinten sticks that are for a 100mm ball. I have a 75mm ball and a 75 - 100mm adapter. The sticks resist pan windup a little better than the Manfroto sticks that came with the head. But it still happens. I am not overly thrilled with the Vinten sticks or their Posi-Lock system either. Oh well, still looking for that perfect tripod.

Last year I purchased two tripods with 503 heads. Both are poor quality -- can't tilt worth a damn without a "bump" due to it sticking. I don't really know why a good brand makes a fluid head which doesn't perform.

I use the Sony HVR-Z7U on the 503's, and the Z7U is a good weight to work well with the tripod.

I hope that the manufacturer comes up with a fix -- and if not, offers a replacement head to their customers that WORKS. What a rip to see folks here selling off their 503 and 503HD's in order to find something that actually works right.

Ian