MANFROTTO 501 or 504?!
 

I am going between the Manfrotto 501HDV and the 504HD. I have a Canon EOS 7D. The only reason I would not get the 504HD is because it is $300 more than the 501! Fluid heads, great movement, I know! but what are the plusses and minuses to both?? Anyone have the setup between these two?

Here is the Manfrotto 504HD Head w/546B 2-Stage Aluminum Tripod System:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/683563-REG/Manfrotto_504HD_546BK_504HD_Head_w_546B_2_Stage.html
and Here is the Manfrotto 501 HDV
Manfrotto 501HDV028B 028B Tripod System (Black) 501HDV,028B B&H

Thanks!

Daniel,
Pretty much a world of difference between the 501 and 504. I have used both. It guess it comes down to what you can afford. For the 504 price you might also want to consider http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/735035-REG/Manfrotto_Manfrotto_504HD_Video_Fluid.html at $754 if you do alot of outdoor work. You can really get close to the ground with it for more creative shots. Also, the benefits of carbon fiber legs.

Regards,
Mark

I have a 501 head but I have just ordered a 504. The 501 is very good for the price but I have just ordered http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/683635-REG/Manfrotto_504HD_546GBK_504HD_Head_w_546GB_2_Stage.html The 504 head is much, much better than the 501 in terms of adjustment, control & feel. I personally like the spreader at ground level for our uses (mainly interiors). The 504 combo is much quicker to set up & level. It's also heavier to carry but has more mass so is less prone to moving.

they are both junk. the "fluid" in the head it nothing more then thick grease between a couple of plastic rings inside. you get what you pay for.... satchler has a couple of combos around the FSb4 & 6 that might be vastly better, and not much more $

I bought a Libec and it's really good. Smooth operation etc. Met another video guy in the field and his head (same one you are looking at) was jerky. Just make sure you match the load weight correctly and you will be happy.
Regards,
Doug.

+1 to Doug – Loading the head evenly and applying the correct tension to tilt and pan are critical.

I've been using the 501HDV for about 4 years now - I have 3. And yes, you do get what you pay for - a very usable head for lighter cameras at an affordable price. I've been very happy with my results. As a lighter-weight field tripod and head, the Manfrotto does a good job - though if you're doing lots of controlled studio/stage work at the long end of the lens, I would say upgrade to something a bit more robust, i.e. Sachtler, Vinten, Miller...

They are both more than adequate, and deffo not junk. We are talking about mounting a 7D on a tripod, not a 6kg broadcast camera. I use a 503 with my EX1 and an old Velbon 700d with my DSLR, both get the job done, very well. But then again if you like spending money, for no apparent reason!!!!!!!!!

Search the forums - many people find neither the 501 nor the 503 series to be suitable for smooth pans and tilts with HD. I have a 503 with CF legs gathering dust (well the case is gathering dust).

The 504 MAY be different. I await Chris Soucy's head-to-head comparison.

I own both the 501 and 504 and they are not even comparable. The 504HD is in another class of smooth.

Buy the cheap one, and for sure down the road you'll get tired of cursing it, and you'll get a good one. So you'll get to pay twice.

Might as well just get a good one up front.

No argument with that but there seems some dispute as to whether the Manfrotto 504 is "junk". My brief use of one at a trade show & various reviews that I have read lead me to believe that it is in a totally different class to the 501HDV (which is OK for the price with a lightweight camera). Whether the "junk" tag is derived from experience with the 504 or whether it's just a prejudice against Manfrotto versus Libec, Sachtler etc I don't know.

Nothing to compare.
The 504HD is truly great for the money and can easily be considered as a pro head.

Thanks.

Johnnie

Re: MANFROTTO 501 or 504?!
 

Witch libec?

Re: MANFROTTO 501 or 504?!
 

I've been using 501 heads for years and recently bought two 504HD heads and the 504 is the best head I've ever used in it's price range. Personally I couldn't go back to the 501, with the 504 I am able to pull off smooth vertical pans I could never do with the 501.