I'm looking for reassurance, having oredered a 701HDV head a bit impulsively.

I am running 4 GH2/GH1 cameras. I have a 501HDV, and 503, and a ball head for my lockdown camera.

I ordered a 701HDV primarily because it seemed the correct size for my camera. I had planned on another new 501HDV, but I disliked the large heads with these tiny cameras that weigh barely a pound before adding a lens.

In fact, is is my thought to replace my 503 head with a 701HDV.

Will I find the 701HDV as smooth as the 501HDV, just smaller and better for a lighter cam, or will I have found it not up to par with the 501HDV?

So I am assuming that you have your 701, what is your thoughts vs. the 501?

For a small, DSLR form factor it is perfect. 501 is too large. 701 is the right size, and it was clearly made for the smaller cameras. Not as well constructed, but also costs much less.

I'd say that the 701 is a perfectly adequate little head for lightweight cameras.
The moves are surprisingly smooth and I'd have no hesitation in reccomending it.

Is leaking on the 701HDV normal? I just got one from B&H a couple days ago and I noticed oil on one side this morning.

No Les, I hope it is not normal, cause I haven't seen this happen on my two. Sounds like it might have to be returned, sorry to hear that.

ot question, are the quick release plates interchangeable between the 501hdv and 701hdv?

thanks

Yes they are.

I have only seen a 701HDV in passing, but it did not appear to have the weight compensation and drag adjustments of the 501HDV.

Can anyone tell me if you tilt the 701HDV, will it stay in place without engaging the lock ??

I use a 701 HDV as a travel head and as the head on my slider for B-Cameras:
1) 5D Mark II/Sigma 50mm/Z-Finder
2) Panasonic TM700

The head holds the cameras when level. Tilted, it requires engaging the lock.

The 701HDV provides a fixed pan/tilt drag sufficient for those small cameras to perform *adequate* pan and tilt moves ... nothing like my Sachtler FSB4 or Cartoni Focus do for an EX1R, XH-A1, or XL1s size cameras ... but with a small camera, the 701HDV is adequate ... especially considering it's drastically lighter in weight. But it does not provide counter balance that keeps a tilted position without locking.

I have used the 701HDV for the past year or so with very satisfactory results.
About 4 months ago, I upgraded my small Sony A1U to a Sony NX5u and if balanced, also did a great job.

However, I have a CobraCrane I and it did not handle the weight so well.
I have now moved the 701 over to my slider and baught the 503HDV (not 501) for my sticks.
Just got it this past week - haven not had time to actually use it for real yet - but it is much more beefy!

...Tilted, it requires engaging the lock.

... especially considering it's drastically lighter in weight. But it does not provide counter balance that keeps a tilted position without locking.

thanks, I was tempted by the 701's smaller size and weight, but that's something that I really care about -- I want to be able to tilt my camera and not have to continually lock/unlock it.

That was how my old Libec TH-650 head behaved -- and I hated that. (I like the Libec legs though -- light weight, decently sturdy, fast set up...)

...I bought the 503HDV (not 501) for my sticks.
Just got it this past week - haven not had time to actually use it for real yet - but it is much more beefy!

is the only reason you got the 503 over the 501 the greater weight capacity ?

Barry, you have not stated what you are running, unless I missed it, which has everything to do with what you choose. Since switching over to DSLR sized cameras I've gotten rid of two 501 and 503s, and gotten three 710HDVs and am very happy. I've kept one 501 and one 503, but I'm getting another 701 at some point and ditching my last 501, which will be no loss at all, it is not much of a head to begin with. The 503 is definitely nicer.

The 701HDV offers smooth panning and tilting, and in every way is a lightweight, less beefy head, but it works well with small cameras because that is what it is designed for, so it is a good fit. Yes it has adjustments, just google it and check it out, I carry 6-7 tripods to my weddings (some are lightstands) and I just don't need the added weight of the larger heads, which are disproportionately large for my small cameras. I use dslr sized shotguns, smaller heads, and it just all works well amd flows. It all looks and feels like it goes together, rather than having this relatively giant head, huge shotgun, etc.

The key is in balancing. I ran one camera with a long lens last night, balanced it, it was aimed at a downward angle and still was adjustable, I saw no need to lock it at all, unlike Les' experieince. The 701HDV head has spring action, which I though was counter balance, but whatever that is called, it works like a charm for me. If you were to overload it, it would be ineffective, I'm sure, but I don't so it isn't.

Jeff,

Yes, the 701HDV has a fixed counter-balance spring @ 1.5kg (3.3lbs)

I think our scenarios are different. I balanced the camera at a level position and establish the center of gravity with it at that position. Tilting my 5DM2/50mm/Z-Finder too far off level results in it dipping unless I lock it. Of course, for a given position like you had, one can rebalance the camera in the head as you describe but then it won't be balanced for other positions.