MANFROTTO 501 or 504?! at DVinfo.net

Daniel Dayani · December 25th, 2010, 03:14 AM

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!

Mark Williams · December 25th, 2010, 08:17 AM

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

Nigel Barker · December 26th, 2010, 03:24 AM

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.

Steve Oakley · December 28th, 2010, 01:23 AM

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 $

Doug Bailey · December 28th, 2010, 07:02 AM

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.

Nate Haustein · December 28th, 2010, 08:30 AM

+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...

Colin Rowe · December 28th, 2010, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Oakley

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 $

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!!!!!!!!!

Richard D. George · December 31st, 2010, 04:48 PM

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.

John Kilderry · December 31st, 2010, 07:58 PM

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

Vito DeFilippo · December 31st, 2010, 09:19 PM

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.

Nigel Barker · January 1st, 2011, 02:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vito DeFilippo

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.

Johnnie Behiri · January 7th, 2011, 02:33 PM

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

Thanks.

Johnnie

Ben Edwards · April 20th, 2011, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug Bailey

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.

Witch libec?

Nicholas de Kock · April 24th, 2011, 06:13 AM

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.

December 25th, 2010, 03:14 AM	#1
Daniel Dayani Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Topanga, CA, USA Posts: 39	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!

December 25th, 2010, 08:17 AM	#2
Mark Williams Trustee Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Deep South, U.S. Posts: 1,526	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 __________________ Mark videos: http://vimeo.com/channels/3523 Stock: http://www.pond5.com/artist/mark29

December 28th, 2010, 01:23 AM	#4
Steve Oakley Trustee Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: United States Posts: 1,158	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 $ __________________ Steve Oakley DP • Audio Mixer • Editor • Colorist http://stevenoakley.com

December 28th, 2010, 08:30 AM	#6
Nate Haustein Trustee Join Date: May 2007 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 1,313	+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... __________________ Nate Haustein PXW-FX9 / FCPX www.flightcreativemedia.com

December 31st, 2010, 07:58 PM	#9
John Kilderry Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Brevard, Florida Posts: 77	I own both the 501 and 504 and they are not even comparable. The 504HD is in another class of smooth. __________________ Beer is cheaper than therapy.

December 26th, 2010, 03:24 AM	#3
Nigel Barker Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Norwich, Norfolk, UK Posts: 3,531	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.

December 28th, 2010, 07:02 AM	#5
Doug Bailey Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Jupiter, FL Posts: 164	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.

December 31st, 2010, 04:48 PM	#8
Richard D. George Major Player Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 351	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.

December 31st, 2010, 09:19 PM	#10
Vito DeFilippo Trustee Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Montreal, Quebec Posts: 1,585	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. __________________ . http://www.nosmallroles.com

January 7th, 2011, 02:33 PM	#12
Johnnie Behiri Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Vienna/Austria Posts: 187	Nothing to compare. The 504HD is truly great for the money and can easily be considered as a pro head. Thanks. Johnnie __________________ http://www.johnniebehiri.com/

April 24th, 2011, 06:13 AM	#14
Nicholas de Kock Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: KLD, South Africa Posts: 983	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.