Can't decide

Mark Monciardini · September 2nd, 2003, 01:42 PM

Does anyone have any expirence with these? Are there any big diffrences between the 3063 and the 500 series heads? I've seen them and read up on them. I just wanted to see if anyone goes over one for the other and why.

I want to get one but not sure which one. I have a DVX-100. I just want some smooth pans.

Rob Wilson · September 2nd, 2003, 02:17 PM

Mark,

Can't comment about the 501 or the 505 but... I'm using a 503 with a GL2 (and associated Mic/Wireless Rcvr/XLR adpater) and it works great. Also used it last weekend with a Sony DSR 500 fully loaded to shoot a college football game and it worked pretty well despite being significantly overloaded.

Gints Klimanis · September 2nd, 2003, 02:25 PM

Be sure to try them out yourself. I was a newbie and bought a Bogen 501 head on the written recommendations of others. I tried it out in the store, but I didn't try it with the camera.
Well, duh.
As compared to my cheapie tripod head, the 501 is smoother in pans but is stuttery in tilts. That disappointed me. Also, the
quick release sliding plate is better for balancing, but in my specialized application, I can no longer mount&unmount the camera from the head during taping as smoothly as before.

Jeff Donald · September 2nd, 2003, 06:49 PM

The 505 is the most expensive of the trio, but will provide the smoothest pans and tilts. In the same price range, I would recommend either of the Gitzo heads. Miller, Sachtler and Vinten are the major brands. If you can, try one of the major brands. It will give you a guide as to how smooth, smooth really is.

The Gitzo is a real sleeper and rarely gets mentioned here. I happened to try it only out of curiosity and was very impressed with the quality and performance vs. price.

Boyd Ostroff · September 2nd, 2003, 07:13 PM

I have a 501 and think it's a good value for the price. But recently I've been doing some shots at max telephoto zoom, and it can be very hard to get smooth movement. I agree with Gints, it can jerk as you tilt it. However, at the wide zoom setting I find the 501 is fine.

Will probably replace it with either a Gitzo or Miller soon. But these heads cost significantly more, so one would expect better results.

Mark Monciardini · September 3rd, 2003, 01:10 AM

Thanks everyone for the help. I just ordered a 501.

September 2nd, 2003, 01:42 PM	#1
Mark Monciardini Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 158	Can't decide - Bogen 3063, 501 or 505? Does anyone have any expirence with these? Are there any big diffrences between the 3063 and the 500 series heads? I've seen them and read up on them. I just wanted to see if anyone goes over one for the other and why. I want to get one but not sure which one. I have a DVX-100. I just want some smooth pans. __________________ Best Regards, Mark T. Monciardini Riverlight Studios www.riverlightstudios.com DVX100/Final Cut Pro 4/Mac G5 Dual 1.8

September 2nd, 2003, 06:49 PM	#4
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	The 505 is the most expensive of the trio, but will provide the smoothest pans and tilts. In the same price range, I would recommend either of the Gitzo heads. Miller, Sachtler and Vinten are the major brands. If you can, try one of the major brands. It will give you a guide as to how smooth, smooth really is. The Gitzo is a real sleeper and rarely gets mentioned here. I happened to try it only out of curiosity and was very impressed with the quality and performance vs. price. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

September 3rd, 2003, 01:10 AM	#6
Mark Monciardini Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 158	Thanks everyone for the help. I just ordered a 501. __________________ Best Regards, Mark T. Monciardini Riverlight Studios www.riverlightstudios.com DVX100/Final Cut Pro 4/Mac G5 Dual 1.8

September 2nd, 2003, 02:17 PM	#2
Rob Wilson Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Flagstaff, AZ Posts: 473	Mark, Can't comment about the 501 or the 505 but... I'm using a 503 with a GL2 (and associated Mic/Wireless Rcvr/XLR adpater) and it works great. Also used it last weekend with a Sony DSR 500 fully loaded to shoot a college football game and it worked pretty well despite being significantly overloaded.

September 2nd, 2003, 02:25 PM	#3
Gints Klimanis Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,222	Be sure to try them out yourself. I was a newbie and bought a Bogen 501 head on the written recommendations of others. I tried it out in the store, but I didn't try it with the camera. Well, duh. As compared to my cheapie tripod head, the 501 is smoother in pans but is stuttery in tilts. That disappointed me. Also, the quick release sliding plate is better for balancing, but in my specialized application, I can no longer mount&unmount the camera from the head during taping as smoothly as before.

September 2nd, 2003, 07:13 PM	#5
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,802	I have a 501 and think it's a good value for the price. But recently I've been doing some shots at max telephoto zoom, and it can be very hard to get smooth movement. I agree with Gints, it can jerk as you tilt it. However, at the wide zoom setting I find the 501 is fine. Will probably replace it with either a Gitzo or Miller soon. But these heads cost significantly more, so one would expect better results.