Recommend a tripod head for the XHA1s at DVinfo.net

David B. Sanders · September 8th, 2010, 12:50 PM

I currently have a Manfrotto 701RC2 head which I use on a Manfrotto 190MF3 magfiber tripod. I know the tripod is light but I often have to carry it and the camera on long hikes into the field. So less weight is desired.

But the 701RC2 head doesn’t pan smooth at all. I have used the rubber band trick which helps. But I did find several reviews on this head as not being smooth.

Can you recommend another head?

Richard D. George · September 8th, 2010, 06:57 PM

Sachtler FSB 6, which is a true fluid head. If results mean anything to you, avoid manfrotto.

I'm dead serious.

Richard

Chris Soucy · September 8th, 2010, 07:17 PM

Avoid Manfrotto.

If you want a REAL head, go for one of these, made special for the Canon XH and similar size/ weight camcorders:

Review: Vinten Vision Blue at DVInfo.net

Magic

CS

Bo Sundvall · September 9th, 2010, 08:21 AM

Hi

I own a Sachtler FSB6 myself. Really expensive as video is only a hobby for me but I'll never again use Manfrotto heads for panning and tilting. FSB6 is true fluid. It will probably last a lifetime.

Save time, money and frustration, go for a Sachtler or a Vinten that suits your camera weight.

Regards,

/Bo

Christopher Neville · September 9th, 2010, 08:38 AM

I agree with the others. I have a Manfrotto 503 head and have come to hate it. I really have to fight with it to get a semi-smooth pan. I would highly recommend looking at some of the suggested options.

Mark Fry · September 24th, 2010, 08:23 AM

The 701-series Manfroto is probably too small for the XH-A1. I had a 501, which was OK but then I borrowed a friend's Vinten Vision 3 and suddenly the 501 didn't seem good enough any more! However, the Vinten weighs a lot more than the 501, which is anyway heavier than your 701. Is the Sachtler any lighter? I somehow doubt it, but it might be worth a look. The other thing is that Vinten and Sachtler are seriously more expensive that the Manfroto models. My Vision 3 head was about £600 2 years ago (more than a complete Manfroto tripod and head), and the Sachtler is similar.

Have you seen the new Manfroto 504HD? It's about £300 in the UK. Don't know what it's like to use....

Anything lighter that works as well is likely to be more expensive still. Anything cheaper that works as well is likely to be heavier. So you have a dilema - how much can you afford? How much weight are you prepared to carry?

Richard D. George · September 24th, 2010, 01:06 PM

Another vote for the Sachtler FSB 6 head. Really good, and a true fluid head. The new Vinton Blue may be good as well.

September 8th, 2010, 12:50 PM	#1
David B. Sanders New Boot Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Folsom< CA Posts: 21	Recommend a tripod head for the XHA1s I currently have a Manfrotto 701RC2 head which I use on a Manfrotto 190MF3 magfiber tripod. I know the tripod is light but I often have to carry it and the camera on long hikes into the field. So less weight is desired. But the 701RC2 head doesn’t pan smooth at all. I have used the rubber band trick which helps. But I did find several reviews on this head as not being smooth. Can you recommend another head? Attached Images

September 8th, 2010, 07:17 PM	#3
Chris Soucy Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fairfield, Dunedin, New Zealand Posts: 3,691 Images: 18	I agree with Richard........... Avoid Manfrotto. If you want a REAL head, go for one of these, made special for the Canon XH and similar size/ weight camcorders: Review: Vinten Vision Blue at DVInfo.net Magic CS Last edited by Chris Soucy; September 9th, 2010 at 04:07 AM.

September 9th, 2010, 08:38 AM	#5
Christopher Neville Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Rock Hill, S.C. Posts: 57	I agree with the others. I have a Manfrotto 503 head and have come to hate it. I really have to fight with it to get a semi-smooth pan. I would highly recommend looking at some of the suggested options. __________________ http://finalsignal.net/ http://exposureroom.com/members/finalsignal.aspx/

September 24th, 2010, 08:23 AM	#6
Mark Fry Major Player Join Date: May 2004 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 425	The 701-series Manfroto is probably too small for the XH-A1. I had a 501, which was OK but then I borrowed a friend's Vinten Vision 3 and suddenly the 501 didn't seem good enough any more! However, the Vinten weighs a lot more than the 501, which is anyway heavier than your 701. Is the Sachtler any lighter? I somehow doubt it, but it might be worth a look. The other thing is that Vinten and Sachtler are seriously more expensive that the Manfroto models. My Vision 3 head was about £600 2 years ago (more than a complete Manfroto tripod and head), and the Sachtler is similar. Have you seen the new Manfroto 504HD? It's about £300 in the UK. Don't know what it's like to use.... Anything lighter that works as well is likely to be more expensive still. Anything cheaper that works as well is likely to be heavier. So you have a dilema - how much can you afford? How much weight are you prepared to carry? __________________ Steam Age Pictures - videos in aid of railway preservation societies. Last edited by Mark Fry; September 24th, 2010 at 08:53 AM. Reason: typos & a bit more info

September 8th, 2010, 06:57 PM	#2
Richard D. George Major Player Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 351	Sachtler FSB 6, which is a true fluid head. If results mean anything to you, avoid manfrotto. I'm dead serious. Richard

September 9th, 2010, 08:21 AM	#4
Bo Sundvall Major Player Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Sweden Posts: 244	Hi I own a Sachtler FSB6 myself. Really expensive as video is only a hobby for me but I'll never again use Manfrotto heads for panning and tilting. FSB6 is true fluid. It will probably last a lifetime. Save time, money and frustration, go for a Sachtler or a Vinten that suits your camera weight. Regards, /Bo

September 24th, 2010, 01:06 PM	#7
Richard D. George Major Player Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 351	Another vote for the Sachtler FSB 6 head. Really good, and a true fluid head. The new Vinton Blue may be good as well.