Manfrotto for GL2? at DVinfo.net

Torsten Blomfeldt · July 17th, 2003, 01:41 AM

Is manfrotto tripod 503 and head 755B a good choice for Canon XM2?

Is there any similar tripod (and head) but more cheaper out there?

Justin Morgan · July 17th, 2003, 03:16 AM

After much debate I ended up getting the 501 head - it is designed for use with cameras of weight like the XM-2 and I got one for about (£120). The 503 is designed for heavier cameras (like the XL1s).

501 VIDEO HEAD
Designed to support the latest range of small digital camcorders. The 501 head gives best-in-the-market value and performance. The light but positive fluid movement_provides exceptionally smooth control though 360 degrees pan +90 to -60 tilt. It has Teflon friction adjustment to increase drag and separate pan and tilt locks. The head supports up to 6kg. has a Quick release sliding plate and a_ built in spirit level._
Its ideal for Sony VX2000/1000, Canon XM1/2 plus all other handheld camcorders.

Manfrotto do 'kits' where the head and legs come together which works out cheaper than buying them seperately - the 501 comes with 525 legs. Although there are cheaper legs which you could get - I got the Manfrotto 755B ones (£150).

Torsten Blomfeldt · July 17th, 2003, 07:13 AM

I thought that the difference between 501 and 503 heads was that 501 was without fluid. But I can see now that 501 also has fluid. And both 503 and 501 have almost exactly the same "max load" (6.0 kg). But then, what is the real difference between these two, because here in Sweden 503 is double as expensive as 501.

John Heskett · July 17th, 2003, 07:27 AM

This month I bought a 3221WN tripod with a 503 head from B&H.
This is for my GL2. I had read of people being disappointed with the 501. Some did not like the smoothness of the 501. Anyway that is why I went with the 503. I went with the 3221WN because each leg was independent, had a wide range from nearly on the ground up to around 6' or so. I opted for a compact ball leveler to go with the 503. It makes setup much easier.

Walter Chang · July 17th, 2003, 08:48 AM

You might want to check out the Bogen 3063 head, it's a fluid head but much cheaper than the 501. I went with it because of my low budget but also because its quite decent. If money's not your problem it's probably best to go with the 501 because as Torsten said, its quite big for the GL.

Nicholi Brossia · July 17th, 2003, 03:03 PM

The 501 is a pretty big head, especially when paired with the GL2 (even to the point of looking goofy). I recently bought Manfrotto 3001n legs with a 3130 quick release fluid head. This setup supports up to almost 9 pounds, so it is well within the GL2 range, and it even looks good. The quick release plate for the 3130 is pretty small and isn't too supportive, so i've ordered the 3273 quick release adaptor with 3272 sliding plate. It measures in at 5.5"x2" which is just perfect for the base of the GL2. Plus, with the adaptor and plate, you (or the person you're buying this for) won't have to constantly screw in and unscrew the head's tiny quick release plate just to sit the camera down on a flat surface. You should be able to get the legs, head, and adaptor for substantially less than your original setup, and is probably worth a look.

Nicholi

David Ziegelheim · July 17th, 2003, 06:07 PM

I got a 756B with a 700C2 head. It is a smaller head for cameras under 11#. What I like is the light weight of the tripod allows me take it everywhere. And I still have a ball for leveling.

Michael Westphal · July 18th, 2003, 09:51 PM

I have and use a 501 head. It is relatively big, but that's a good thing.

However it is not a fluid head. Hate to disappoint. If you read the description is says "fluid movement". Yep, the movement is very fluid, but from what I can tell, it's not a fluid-filled head.

Doesn't matter. I own it. I like it.

John Heskett · July 18th, 2003, 09:57 PM

The 503 on the other hand is a fluid head. I'm glad I've got it for the GL2 and I don't feel it is way too big for the camera. It is big yes, too big no. It works just great.

Michael Buendia · July 19th, 2003, 12:29 AM

the 501 nad 503 are both tue fluid heads. the spring in the 503 makes the feel smoother but they are basically the same head. the 501 can be considered the stripped down version.

here is a reply bogen e-mailed me when i asked whether or not the 501 was a true fluid head:

" Again, any head we call fluid is a true fluid head. No exceptions. The 503 is the next step up from the 501, in terms of smoothness. They are the same in all other respects.

Regards,
Kevin V. Lackey
Technical Support

kevin.lackey@bogenphoto.com"

mb4

July 17th, 2003, 01:41 AM	#1
Torsten Blomfeldt Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Sweden Posts: 34	Manfrotto for GL2? Is manfrotto tripod 503 and head 755B a good choice for Canon XM2? Is there any similar tripod (and head) but more cheaper out there? __________________ "The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without work."

July 17th, 2003, 07:13 AM	#3
Torsten Blomfeldt Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Sweden Posts: 34	Thank's, but... I thought that the difference between 501 and 503 heads was that 501 was without fluid. But I can see now that 501 also has fluid. And both 503 and 501 have almost exactly the same "max load" (6.0 kg). But then, what is the real difference between these two, because here in Sweden 503 is double as expensive as 501. __________________ "The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without work."

July 17th, 2003, 07:27 AM	#4
John Heskett Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Terre Haute Indiana Posts: 181	This month I bought a 3221WN tripod with a 503 head from B&H. This is for my GL2. I had read of people being disappointed with the 501. Some did not like the smoothness of the 501. Anyway that is why I went with the 503. I went with the 3221WN because each leg was independent, had a wide range from nearly on the ground up to around 6' or so. I opted for a compact ball leveler to go with the 503. It makes setup much easier. __________________ Illuminate the Vision

July 18th, 2003, 09:51 PM	#8
Michael Westphal Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 166	I have and use a 501 head. It is relatively big, but that's a good thing. However it is not a fluid head. Hate to disappoint. If you read the description is says "fluid movement". Yep, the movement is very fluid, but from what I can tell, it's not a fluid-filled head. Doesn't matter. I own it. I like it. __________________ Michael A Westphal

July 18th, 2003, 09:57 PM	#9
John Heskett Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Terre Haute Indiana Posts: 181	The 503 on the other hand is a fluid head. I'm glad I've got it for the GL2 and I don't feel it is way too big for the camera. It is big yes, too big no. It works just great. __________________ Illuminate the Vision

July 17th, 2003, 03:16 AM	#2
Justin Morgan Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: London Posts: 189	After much debate I ended up getting the 501 head - it is designed for use with cameras of weight like the XM-2 and I got one for about (£120). The 503 is designed for heavier cameras (like the XL1s). 501 VIDEO HEAD Designed to support the latest range of small digital camcorders. The 501 head gives best-in-the-market value and performance. The light but positive fluid movement_provides exceptionally smooth control though 360 degrees pan +90 to -60 tilt. It has Teflon friction adjustment to increase drag and separate pan and tilt locks. The head supports up to 6kg. has a Quick release sliding plate and a_ built in spirit level._ Its ideal for Sony VX2000/1000, Canon XM1/2 plus all other handheld camcorders. Manfrotto do 'kits' where the head and legs come together which works out cheaper than buying them seperately - the 501 comes with 525 legs. Although there are cheaper legs which you could get - I got the Manfrotto 755B ones (£150).

July 17th, 2003, 08:48 AM	#5
Walter Chang New Boot Join Date: May 2003 Location: Lake Hiawatha NJ Posts: 10	You might want to check out the Bogen 3063 head, it's a fluid head but much cheaper than the 501. I went with it because of my low budget but also because its quite decent. If money's not your problem it's probably best to go with the 501 because as Torsten said, its quite big for the GL.

July 17th, 2003, 03:03 PM	#6
Nicholi Brossia Major Player Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 389	The 501 is a pretty big head, especially when paired with the GL2 (even to the point of looking goofy). I recently bought Manfrotto 3001n legs with a 3130 quick release fluid head. This setup supports up to almost 9 pounds, so it is well within the GL2 range, and it even looks good. The quick release plate for the 3130 is pretty small and isn't too supportive, so i've ordered the 3273 quick release adaptor with 3272 sliding plate. It measures in at 5.5"x2" which is just perfect for the base of the GL2. Plus, with the adaptor and plate, you (or the person you're buying this for) won't have to constantly screw in and unscrew the head's tiny quick release plate just to sit the camera down on a flat surface. You should be able to get the legs, head, and adaptor for substantially less than your original setup, and is probably worth a look. Nicholi

July 17th, 2003, 06:07 PM	#7
David Ziegelheim Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Warren, NJ Posts: 398	I got a 756B with a 700C2 head. It is a smaller head for cameras under 11#. What I like is the light weight of the tripod allows me take it everywhere. And I still have a ball for leveling.

July 19th, 2003, 12:29 AM	#10
Michael Buendia Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: los angeles, california Posts: 71	the 501 nad 503 are both tue fluid heads. the spring in the 503 makes the feel smoother but they are basically the same head. the 501 can be considered the stripped down version. here is a reply bogen e-mailed me when i asked whether or not the 501 was a true fluid head: " Again, any head we call fluid is a true fluid head. No exceptions. The 503 is the next step up from the 501, in terms of smoothness. They are the same in all other respects. Regards, Kevin V. Lackey Technical Support kevin.lackey@bogenphoto.com" mb4