Manfrotto Video Head with Flat Base, Video Head for Compact Video Cameras and DSLR, for Filming, Videography, Content Creation, Vlogging, Live Streaming

I used to use a Slik 504QF II Video Tripod head that I got 2 years back. It was great whilst it lasted until the handle broke! So, I decided to have a look at more premium fluid heads, mainly Manfrotto ones. I had a look at the line of fluid video heads Manfrotto has to offer: the 701HDV, the 501HDV and the 502AH. I didn't look at the Pro Video Head 75 because I don't want to spend that much just on a fluid head.I decided to go with the 502AH The 502 comes in 2 types: the 502AH which has a flat base, and the 502A with a bowl base (I think it's the 75mm size). I have a tripod with a 3/8" thread so I got the 502AH with the flat base. You can always upgrade to a bowl base with the Manfrotto 520BALL for 75mm bowl tripods or the Manfrotto 500BALL for 100mm bowl tripods.To me, the 502 head looks so much better and professional than both the 701 or the 501 head thanks to the bridging technology that they say is sturdier.When I pulled the head out the box, I could certainly tell that it was more than a step up from my old Slik head. The feel of it seems very robust and it is also quite heavy! The size wasn't very surprising to me because I knew the size of the head that I wanted. Definitely lives up to that aspect for me.The handle comes detached from the head as I think most tripod heads come like that. When attaching it, I noticed there's a bit of a design flaw with the handle. There is the handle itself, and the clamp on the end of the handle which is actually what attaches to the head. The clamp uses a screw to attach to the head, whilst at the same time attaches to the handle and stops it turning in the clamp. You have to tighten this with a lot of force until the handle stops turning in the clamp so easily! There should be a thin piece of rubber on the handle or something to stop it turning.The actual operation of the head is amazing! The Fluid Drag System (FDS) really helps you get smooth movements with the head. You can control the FDS separately on both the pan and tilt axis. You can have no drag at all which lets the pan axis 'float' due to the ball bearings and spins around continuously. I usually keep the tilt FDS tightened up all the way (I've got a 550D on a rig w/Matte Box, Follow Focus, Monitor etc) and when pointed down slightly, it doesn't move at all unlike my old head! I usually have the pan FDS almost done up, but not all the way.The pan and tilt locks aren't exactly placed very well, but I don't really use these anyway.The red rings on the handle turn for some reason but they don't come off, so it's not that much of a problem to me.The quick release plate is very long! I use both the 1/4" and 3/8" because my rig has 4 mounts (2 mounts for each), so I put the 1/4" at the front and the 3/8" at the back (this also helps it not to turn side to side). You need a coin or screwdriver to tighten these up, though. Apparently the QR plates from the 701HDV and 501HDV are shorter versions and will still work on the 502 head. I might adapt to these to make all my QR plates take this system apart from my monitor that I have a Neewer QR Plate/Manfrotto 323 (They're the same).The QR mechanism on the head is simple. You just slide the QR plate in, it goes past the safety lock, then you have to tighten the screw on the side. Quick! (As the name suggests!)Next upgrades will be a Lilliput 5d-II and then new tripod video legs! I'll be buying the 75mm bowl adapter probably!

I use this for nature still photography with a Sony A1 and a Sony 200-600 lens, on a sturdy video tripod. the fluid dampening is excellent, and once you have it all set up, you can easily track and pan with great smoothness, and then let go and you have the confidence that your camera won't budge until you decide to move it again. Top quality materials, design and construction - it is big and heavy, but that's exactly what you need. Some people don't like the panning lock being at the font under the QR clamp assembly, but I don't mind it being there at all.

I only received mine yesterday, but have already returned it. However, I've seen enough to give it 5 stars. The reason for my return was simply that it's too large and heavy for my uses. I was aware from reviews that it was fairly large, but was still not expecting it to be quite as large as it is! It weighs as much as a heavy lens, plus due to it's size and less than ideal shape, it's not easy squeezing it into my large camera bag.I did some testing with it during yesterday, and found it had beautifully smooth movement for panning and tilting, and the adjustable torque for both gave an adequate range of adjustment. It's built very well indeed and is very high quality. I did find the packaging less than ideal (not Amazon, which is almost always poor, but inside Manfrotto's box) as the head had a fair bit of movement within it and not enough protection. It's a minor gripe though.In conclusion, I'd say that it's an excellent product. However, be aware that no matter how large and heavy you expect it to be - It's probably going to surprise you just how large and heavy it is. On my Three Legged Thing Travis tripod, which is what I'd call a large travel tripod, the head completely dwarfs the part it screws onto. It is still fairly stable and a decent fit, but I wouldn't want to use it on a smaller or less sturdy travel tripod.

I purchased this head when I first started thinking about video work, having read reviews that it was a really stable option with fluid pan and tilt. All of that has proven to be true, and the build quality is impressive.Everything is very smooth, and when locked, it’s locked. The key controls are well positioned with precise control over resistance, but if you have never used a fluid head before, it may take you a while to adapt. The overall impression is that it will last forever, and this is a serious piece of equipment.The only negative is that the size and weight can sometimes make it inconvenient. I tend to use it more for studio-based work or locations where I can mainly travel by car because this is not something I want to carry on my shoulder while walking up a mountain. I am currently using this with my Lumix S5IIX, but it will take heavier cameras easily.