Bogen 501HDV head at DVinfo.net

Mark Argerake · March 20th, 2003, 09:13 AM

I got my 501 head in January. Now I'm noticing a jump when panning to the left only. Everything else is smooth. I've tried loosening and tightening everything but nothing seems to make a difference. Am I in trouble here and need service, or is there something else I can do?

Chris Hurd · March 20th, 2003, 09:18 AM

Check the tightness of the head to the sticks. Three screws underneath... sounds to me like those are loose.

Derrick Begin · March 20th, 2003, 09:56 AM

Also, I have the 3246 Manfrotto, and if the geared center column is not locked, there is significant play when panning.

Try locking those up if it pertains to you.

Cheers!

Mark Argerake · March 21st, 2003, 08:13 PM

Hey Chris thanks. One of the screws was just a tad bit loose. Tightened it up and all is well again.

Trey Perrone · September 19th, 2004, 11:54 PM

i had been using an old velbon my dad probably bought in 1980 for the past few years and it finally went on the fritz recently, so i figured it was time for something quite a bit nicer.

I picked up the bogen 3021 Pro legs and a 501 head today after doing some looking around and feeling pretty scure with the choice.

As luck would have it, i seemingly didnt realize that the 501 head doesnt have any kind of horizontal compensation mechanism...i.e: it pans left/right and i can move it up/down, but i cant adjust at all for unlevel ground with the head itself.

obviously i can mess with the legs, but it seems that would take a lot longer than a simple adjustment on the head.

is this typical for "fluid heads" or is it simply a matter of choosing a different fluid head? I like the head a lot, it feels good, (even though i havent even mounted any camera on it yet) and it seemed like a good value for the money as well as a dependable brand name.

Gareth Watkins · September 20th, 2004, 12:45 AM

Hi Trey

I have the 501 and find it a very good solid video head.....
I use mine on an old set of Gitzo legs and had the same problem.

You need to get the Manfrotto/Bogen Levelling head that fits between the two.... they cost around 60-70$.

Do a search on say Yahoo 'Bogen levelling head' and you'll find what I mean..

They work really well...

cheers

Gareth

Ken Tanaka · September 20th, 2004, 12:56 AM

Hello Trey,
Professional field tripods and heads for video feature a ball-leveling mechanism that enables you to quickly level the head on uneven ground.

Your 3021 legs feature a center column instead of a bowl into which such a mechanism would normally be. Also, I think that the 501 head is not designed as a ball-leveling head.

But Manfrotto does make an accessory ball-leveler that fits between a tripod's center column and a flat-footed head. It might be just what you're looking for. See the Manfrotto page on this product.

Hey, how is the golf swing analysis going?

Trey Perrone · September 20th, 2004, 07:01 AM

thanks for the replys fellas...

i got the 3021 PRO instead of the regs because they did hvae a the bubble level in them and it wasnt but a few bucks more.

i'll have to check into that ball-level mech, ill also check into a couple other heads maybe, im just wondering if there is one that has it built in as that may be easier/better, although i think the bogen heads get quite a bit more pricey if moving up after the 501 model.

Mike Hanlon · September 20th, 2004, 11:45 AM

Bogen also sells the column and leveler combo, the 555B.

I have the 3502 ball leveller under my 501 head and it works great. You can't see the spirit level on the leveller (the 501 head covers it), but you can use the one one the head itself.

Dave Frank · July 3rd, 2006, 03:29 PM

Hi guys, I have a 3 Manfrotto 501 heads all with missing pieces and was wondering where I could get replacements, since I have seem to come up dry at B&H. Specifically, I am missing 1 tilt tension screw, and 2 tripod plate lock screws. Also, anyone know of a good place to get replacement screws for normal 501 quick-release plates. Thanks a ton for any leads!

-David Frank

Bill Hamell · July 3rd, 2006, 03:44 PM

http://www.bogenimaging.us/service/service1.htm#Parts :-)

Dave Frank · July 3rd, 2006, 03:47 PM

Thanks Bill. Always go to the source!

-David Frank

Bill Hamell · July 3rd, 2006, 04:15 PM

Unless you know the hardware section of your local store better than the employees, like I do. :-)

Holly Rognan · February 13th, 2007, 04:47 PM

I just barely saw the new 501HDV head in a magazine and it looks impressive (from an artistic viewpoint). Has anyone tried it out and see if it is better than the old 501. I used to own the 501 and I didn't like it much, in fact I like my 701rc2 much better. This seems comprible to the 503 head, but I bet that Bogen intentionally made sure that the new 501hdv sticks in pans as much, or has some sort of deficiency that makes it hard to get good results, but I would like to be proven wrong.

Thanks in advance,

Holly

Ian Stark · February 23rd, 2007, 03:53 PM

Holly, see my post here: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=86894

Not a full review (only had the system six hours!) but first impressions are that it is a great improvement.

I'll be trying it out on a location shoot on Monday and then for two weeks shooting a documentary in Africa. When I get back I'll try and remember to report my findings.

Ian . . .

March 20th, 2003, 09:13 AM	#1
Mark Argerake Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Murrieta, CA Posts: 227	Is my 501 broken or am I missing something. I got my 501 head in January. Now I'm noticing a jump when panning to the left only. Everything else is smooth. I've tried loosening and tightening everything but nothing seems to make a difference. Am I in trouble here and need service, or is there something else I can do?

March 20th, 2003, 09:18 AM	#2
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	Check the tightness of the head to the sticks. Three screws underneath... sounds to me like those are loose. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

September 19th, 2004, 11:54 PM	#5
Trey Perrone Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Fredericksburg, VA Posts: 155	bogen 501 - no horizontal adjustment? i had been using an old velbon my dad probably bought in 1980 for the past few years and it finally went on the fritz recently, so i figured it was time for something quite a bit nicer. I picked up the bogen 3021 Pro legs and a 501 head today after doing some looking around and feeling pretty scure with the choice. As luck would have it, i seemingly didnt realize that the 501 head doesnt have any kind of horizontal compensation mechanism...i.e: it pans left/right and i can move it up/down, but i cant adjust at all for unlevel ground with the head itself. obviously i can mess with the legs, but it seems that would take a lot longer than a simple adjustment on the head. is this typical for "fluid heads" or is it simply a matter of choosing a different fluid head? I like the head a lot, it feels good, (even though i havent even mounted any camera on it yet) and it seemed like a good value for the money as well as a dependable brand name. __________________ Trey Perrone

September 20th, 2004, 12:56 AM	#7
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Hello Trey, Professional field tripods and heads for video feature a ball-leveling mechanism that enables you to quickly level the head on uneven ground. Your 3021 legs feature a center column instead of a bowl into which such a mechanism would normally be. Also, I think that the 501 head is not designed as a ball-leveling head. But Manfrotto does make an accessory ball-leveler that fits between a tripod's center column and a flat-footed head. It might be just what you're looking for. See the Manfrotto page on this product. Hey, how is the golf swing analysis going? __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

September 20th, 2004, 07:01 AM	#8
Trey Perrone Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Fredericksburg, VA Posts: 155	thanks for the replys fellas... i got the 3021 PRO instead of the regs because they did hvae a the bubble level in them and it wasnt but a few bucks more. i'll have to check into that ball-level mech, ill also check into a couple other heads maybe, im just wondering if there is one that has it built in as that may be easier/better, although i think the bogen heads get quite a bit more pricey if moving up after the 501 model. __________________ Trey Perrone

March 20th, 2003, 09:56 AM	#3
Derrick Begin Major Player Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: New York Posts: 329	Also, I have the 3246 Manfrotto, and if the geared center column is not locked, there is significant play when panning. Try locking those up if it pertains to you. Cheers!

March 21st, 2003, 08:13 PM	#4
Mark Argerake Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Murrieta, CA Posts: 227	Hey Chris thanks. One of the screws was just a tad bit loose. Tightened it up and all is well again.

September 20th, 2004, 12:45 AM	#6
Gareth Watkins Major Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: France Posts: 578	Hi Trey I have the 501 and find it a very good solid video head..... I use mine on an old set of Gitzo legs and had the same problem. You need to get the Manfrotto/Bogen Levelling head that fits between the two.... they cost around 60-70$. Do a search on say Yahoo 'Bogen levelling head' and you'll find what I mean.. They work really well... cheers Gareth

September 20th, 2004, 11:45 AM	#9
Mike Hanlon Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 180	Bogen also sells the column and leveler combo, the 555B. I have the 3502 ball leveller under my 501 head and it works great. You can't see the spirit level on the leveller (the 501 head covers it), but you can use the one one the head itself. __________________ VM Productions

July 3rd, 2006, 03:29 PM	#10
Dave Frank Major Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 244	Missing screws, etc. for 501 Head Hi guys, I have a 3 Manfrotto 501 heads all with missing pieces and was wondering where I could get replacements, since I have seem to come up dry at B&H. Specifically, I am missing 1 tilt tension screw, and 2 tripod plate lock screws. Also, anyone know of a good place to get replacement screws for normal 501 quick-release plates. Thanks a ton for any leads! -David Frank __________________ http://www.sleeptightmovie.com

July 3rd, 2006, 03:44 PM	#11
Bill Hamell Major Player Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Mystic Ct. Posts: 477	http://www.bogenimaging.us/service/service1.htm#Parts :-) __________________ Cinematographers Bring Shadow To Light

July 3rd, 2006, 03:47 PM	#12
Dave Frank Major Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 244	Thanks Bill. Always go to the source! -David Frank __________________ http://www.sleeptightmovie.com

July 3rd, 2006, 04:15 PM	#13
Bill Hamell Major Player Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Mystic Ct. Posts: 477	Unless you know the hardware section of your local store better than the employees, like I do. :-) __________________ Cinematographers Bring Shadow To Light

February 13th, 2007, 04:47 PM	#14
Holly Rognan Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Coalville America Posts: 244	New Head, 501hdv results? I just barely saw the new 501HDV head in a magazine and it looks impressive (from an artistic viewpoint). Has anyone tried it out and see if it is better than the old 501. I used to own the 501 and I didn't like it much, in fact I like my 701rc2 much better. This seems comprible to the 503 head, but I bet that Bogen intentionally made sure that the new 501hdv sticks in pans as much, or has some sort of deficiency that makes it hard to get good results, but I would like to be proven wrong. Thanks in advance, Holly

February 23rd, 2007, 03:53 PM	#15
Ian Stark Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 2,237	Holly, see my post here: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=86894 Not a full review (only had the system six hours!) but first impressions are that it is a great improvement. I'll be trying it out on a location shoot on Monday and then for two weeks shooting a documentary in Africa. When I get back I'll try and remember to report my findings. Ian . . . __________________ www.vit-media.com www.classicmachinefilms.co.uk