Manfrotto Video Heads – Four Options

Boyan Dob · February 25th, 2004, 05:55 AM

I am buying tripod "Manfrotto 055 Pro" (Bogen 3021BPRO):
http://tinyurl.com/2u8xk (Manfrotto official site)
http://tinyurl.com/3ax96 (B&H Photo site / $137)
Note: I use TinyURL.com to make long addresses short.

I’m planning to buy a Manfrotto video head. I saw Frank
mentioning he uses Manfrotto 055 Pro legs with the
Manfrotto 128RC video head, which looks good...
I’m wondering about the differences between these
four video heads when using Panasonic MX500 camera
(coupled with Raynox 6600Pro) - which is best match?

Four Manfrotto Video Heads:

1) 501 Pro Video Head (Quick Release) / Bogen 3433
http://tinyurl.com/2vrma, http://tinyurl.com/2s6ae ($135)

2) Micro Fluid Head 128RC (Quick Release) / Bogen 3130
http://tinyurl.com/3h2fn, http://tinyurl.com/33s5l ($70)

3) Mini Video Fluid Head (Quick Release) / Bogen 700RC2
http://tinyurl.com/3x6qp, http://tinyurl.com/2ro8v ($71)

4) Micro Fluid Head 128LP / Bogen 3126
http://tinyurl.com/2mnpk, http://tinyurl.com/24fw7 ($61)

Thanks for input!

Ciao,
Boyan

P.S. I’ll also have HOYA 77mm Polarizer MHC & UV filter,
any use in buying Cokin 72-77mm Step-Up Ring
for $10 and using HOYA filters on Raynox 6600Pro?
I capture a lot of beach volleyball on sunny days (sand).

Frank Granovski · February 25th, 2004, 06:32 AM

I believe that #3 is cheap, lightweight plastic, and very sticky with panning/tilting.

I had the 136 head which was very good but I decided to go lighter with the 128RC. Of course the 501 is better, but it's really meant for a heavier cam.

It all depends on what you want. If you want a larger, fluid head, Miller's DS5 sure is nice.

Boyan Dob · February 25th, 2004, 06:59 AM

Thanks for making me decide easier :-)

I'll go for Manfrotto 128RC video head since I'll use it mostly
for sports, means fast movements (not just the head itself,
but whole system when I move to different spot to shoot),
so the lesser the weight the better I guess, right?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

As for using quality filters with wide lens converters,
does that make any sense? Consider that I plan to
use it in bright days, with some sand in the air
(beach volleyball) etc., anyone tried that?

Frank Granovski · February 25th, 2004, 02:48 PM

I don't own a wide angle; at the beach I use a lot of zoom. I would get a good filter or 2, but also a rubber lens hood. The lens hood will also protect the filter, as long as you don't point the cam "up-wind."

February 25th, 2004, 05:55 AM	#1
Boyan Dob Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Slovenia Posts: 45	Manfrotto Video Heads – Four Options – which one? I am buying tripod "Manfrotto 055 Pro" (Bogen 3021BPRO): http://tinyurl.com/2u8xk (Manfrotto official site) http://tinyurl.com/3ax96 (B&H Photo site / $137) Note: I use TinyURL.com to make long addresses short. I’m planning to buy a Manfrotto video head. I saw Frank mentioning he uses Manfrotto 055 Pro legs with the Manfrotto 128RC video head, which looks good... I’m wondering about the differences between these four video heads when using Panasonic MX500 camera (coupled with Raynox 6600Pro) - which is best match? Four Manfrotto Video Heads: 1) 501 Pro Video Head (Quick Release) / Bogen 3433 http://tinyurl.com/2vrma, http://tinyurl.com/2s6ae ($135) 2) Micro Fluid Head 128RC (Quick Release) / Bogen 3130 http://tinyurl.com/3h2fn, http://tinyurl.com/33s5l ($70) 3) Mini Video Fluid Head (Quick Release) / Bogen 700RC2 http://tinyurl.com/3x6qp, http://tinyurl.com/2ro8v ($71) 4) Micro Fluid Head 128LP / Bogen 3126 http://tinyurl.com/2mnpk, http://tinyurl.com/24fw7 ($61) Thanks for input! Ciao, Boyan P.S. I’ll also have HOYA 77mm Polarizer MHC & UV filter, any use in buying Cokin 72-77mm Step-Up Ring for $10 and using HOYA filters on Raynox 6600Pro? I capture a lot of beach volleyball on sunny days (sand).

February 25th, 2004, 06:32 AM	#2
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	I believe that #3 is cheap, lightweight plastic, and very sticky with panning/tilting. I had the 136 head which was very good but I decided to go lighter with the 128RC. Of course the 501 is better, but it's really meant for a heavier cam. It all depends on what you want. If you want a larger, fluid head, Miller's DS5 sure is nice.

February 25th, 2004, 06:59 AM	#3
Boyan Dob Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Slovenia Posts: 45	Thanks for making me decide easier :-) I'll go for Manfrotto 128RC video head since I'll use it mostly for sports, means fast movements (not just the head itself, but whole system when I move to different spot to shoot), so the lesser the weight the better I guess, right? - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - As for using quality filters with wide lens converters, does that make any sense? Consider that I plan to use it in bright days, with some sand in the air (beach volleyball) etc., anyone tried that?

February 25th, 2004, 02:48 PM	#4
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	I don't own a wide angle; at the beach I use a lot of zoom. I would get a good filter or 2, but also a rubber lens hood. The lens hood will also protect the filter, as long as you don't point the cam "up-wind."