I bought the 501HDV head, but thinking of a fluid head.

I have a Manfrotto 055 tripod, which I am planning to keep.

Are there any real fluid tripod heads that fit on this "standard" tripod?

Are these good heads only fitting on these "bowl" tripods?

Guess you missed this:

Vinten Vision 3 AS Tripod (1 of 4) DV Info Net (http://www.dvinfo.net/features/vinten-vision-3-as-tripod-1-of-4.html)

If this was the question, still working on it.


CS

Hi, Chris,

Seems to be a great video head. What price and where to buy it? I have looked around but ...

Is it possible to mount it on a non-bowl tripod? The money-thing is important so if possible I will use my Manfrotto tripod.

I misunderstood.

No, the head I highlighted will only fit a 75/ 100 mm bowl tripod.

The only flat bottomed head I am aware of (other than the mentioned 503/ 501 HDV's - tho' their "fluid" capabilities are as you have already discovered) that falls into the "fluid" category would be the Manfrotto 516.

I've never seen a review or comments about that head so can't pass judgement, tho' as it's only got a fixed counterbalance system I, personnaly, wouldn't touch it with a barge pole.

To answer your question, yes, to get a quality fluid head you need to go to a 75 or 100 bowl tripod.


CS

I use a Manfrotto 516. It handles the 8 kg (= 17 pounds) payload of my tricked-out camcorder VERY well. Very good head for little money.