Bogen 503 Head problem at DVinfo.net

Randall Morton · August 10th, 2003, 08:21 PM

I recently purchased this tripod head from B&H. I'm a novice and this is my first fairly expensive tripod setup. I notice a bit of slop in the head during pans. If I go from left to right the handle moves about 1/2 inch before the valveing kicks in. This jars the picture a bit. Sometimes I can start a pan(one direction) and it seems normal and halfway through the pan the slop is taken up with the same result. I try not to pan much but sometimes it is necessary and if I am not thinking about it the slop will mess up the shot. I'm just wondering if this is normal for a 503 head or is something wrong with the valveing in this particular head unit. Thanks for the help.

Jeff Donald · August 11th, 2003, 09:00 AM

In my experience that is about average for that head. Make sure it is fasten properly. Screws on the bottom may not be fasten securely. If you have a local dealer try and do a comparison.

Rob Lohman · August 11th, 2003, 09:10 AM

Any chance you have the optical stabilazer engaged on your
camera? That might mess things up as well

Randall Morton · August 11th, 2003, 10:44 AM

Thanks for the help.
I'm really just talking about the free play in the head when panning left to right, right to left. There is a space before the friction kicks in.

Nathan Gifford · August 11th, 2003, 11:51 AM

Check the locking pins and maybe the tripod legs too.

Rob Wilson · August 11th, 2003, 12:19 PM

I've been using my 503 for a year or so now and have not had any of the problems you are describing. I'd recommend doing a head-to-head (pardon the pun) test with another. I've been really impressed using mine with the GL2 (and associated mounted mics, lights, wireless ....). Good balance and smooth pans and tilts.

Gints Klimanis · August 11th, 2003, 01:52 PM

Would anyone kindly offer an explanation for why an optical stabilizer would mess up rather than smooth out pans?

Rob Wilson · August 11th, 2003, 01:56 PM

Gints,

Basic explanation: When you first start the pan, the VS thinks it's unintentional and trys to correct for it. Once you have continued the pan long enough for the VS to realize you really want to pan, it has to catch up so it appears as if you have a very rough start to the pan. Once it's caught up, the pan is smooth.

Jeff Donald · August 11th, 2003, 02:18 PM

Most consumer and prosumer cameras use only first generation OIS. It tries to correct pans, as Rob points out. Second generation OIS will not be effected by pans or tilts. Second generation is used in the latest Canon EOS EF super telephotos (300mm and longer). I've used some of these lenses and it works flawlessly.

Randall Morton · August 11th, 2003, 07:08 PM

Jeff,
You diagnosed the problem perfectly. I checked this evening and the set screws had loosened enough to cause the play. Thanks again

August 10th, 2003, 08:21 PM	#1
Randall Morton Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 39	Bogen 503 Head problem I recently purchased this tripod head from B&H. I'm a novice and this is my first fairly expensive tripod setup. I notice a bit of slop in the head during pans. If I go from left to right the handle moves about 1/2 inch before the valveing kicks in. This jars the picture a bit. Sometimes I can start a pan(one direction) and it seems normal and halfway through the pan the slop is taken up with the same result. I try not to pan much but sometimes it is necessary and if I am not thinking about it the slop will mess up the shot. I'm just wondering if this is normal for a 503 head or is something wrong with the valveing in this particular head unit. Thanks for the help.

August 11th, 2003, 09:00 AM	#2
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	In my experience that is about average for that head. Make sure it is fasten properly. Screws on the bottom may not be fasten securely. If you have a local dealer try and do a comparison. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

August 11th, 2003, 09:10 AM	#3
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	Any chance you have the optical stabilazer engaged on your camera? That might mess things up as well __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

August 11th, 2003, 11:51 AM	#5
Nathan Gifford Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Tickfaw, LA Posts: 1,217	Check the locking pins and maybe the tripod legs too. __________________ Nathan Gifford Southern Cyclist Magazine & Productions For quick answers try our Search! To see me and Rob Lohman click here

August 11th, 2003, 02:18 PM	#9
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Most consumer and prosumer cameras use only first generation OIS. It tries to correct pans, as Rob points out. Second generation OIS will not be effected by pans or tilts. Second generation is used in the latest Canon EOS EF super telephotos (300mm and longer). I've used some of these lenses and it works flawlessly. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

August 11th, 2003, 10:44 AM	#4
Randall Morton Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 39	Thanks for the help. I'm really just talking about the free play in the head when panning left to right, right to left. There is a space before the friction kicks in.

August 11th, 2003, 12:19 PM	#6
Rob Wilson Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Flagstaff, AZ Posts: 473	I've been using my 503 for a year or so now and have not had any of the problems you are describing. I'd recommend doing a head-to-head (pardon the pun) test with another. I've been really impressed using mine with the GL2 (and associated mounted mics, lights, wireless ....). Good balance and smooth pans and tilts.

August 11th, 2003, 01:52 PM	#7
Gints Klimanis Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,222	Would anyone kindly offer an explanation for why an optical stabilizer would mess up rather than smooth out pans?

August 11th, 2003, 01:56 PM	#8
Rob Wilson Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Flagstaff, AZ Posts: 473	Gints, Basic explanation: When you first start the pan, the VS thinks it's unintentional and trys to correct for it. Once you have continued the pan long enough for the VS to realize you really want to pan, it has to catch up so it appears as if you have a very rough start to the pan. Once it's caught up, the pan is smooth.

August 11th, 2003, 07:08 PM	#10
Randall Morton Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 39	Jeff, You diagnosed the problem perfectly. I checked this evening and the set screws had loosened enough to cause the play. Thanks again