Manfrotto 503HDV head problems at DVinfo.net

Heiko Saele · February 14th, 2008, 08:25 PM

We got 4 new tripods at work recently with the 503HDV heads for our HVX200 cameras. The problem is the vertical resistance of these heads seems not nearly enough. With the wheel all turned up to full resistance, it's still almost nothing at all - steady long shots are impossible. We also have a Sachtler tripod for the HVX and it has more vertical resistance at level one out of ten. This can't be right, but I haven't found any screws or anything for adjustment. Am I being stupid? There must be some hidden adjustment screws or something for the vertical resistance, right?

By the way the horizontal resistance is good and can be perfectly adjusted from nothing to very heavy.

Uwe Boettcher · February 15th, 2008, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heiko Saele

We got 4 new tripods at work recently with the 503HDV heads for our HVX200 cameras. The problem is the vertical resistance of these heads seems not nearly enough. With the wheel all turned up to full resistance, it's still almost nothing at all - steady long shots are impossible. We also have a Sachtler tripod for the HVX and it has more vertical resistance at level one out of ten. This can't be right, but I haven't found any screws or anything for adjustment. Am I being stupid? There must be some hidden adjustment screws or something for the vertical resistance, right?

By the way the horizontal resistance is good and can be perfectly adjusted from nothing to very heavy.

I have had the same problem! Called Bogen Imaging and they told me, that Manfrotto has changed the fluid to get better resistance. After 3 day i had a new 503HDV which was way better in both tilt and pan. May be that will help you?

Kind regards, Uwe

Vince Hill · February 16th, 2008, 02:42 PM

I noticed something similar when I received my 503HDV the other day. I assumed like you that there would be a way of increasing the resistance of forward tilt. At the mo I have it on max setting of 3 for a Cannon XHA1 but the maual says that a camera of that weight should be on setting 1!

Vince Hill · February 16th, 2008, 02:43 PM

apologies for my spelling - should read "Canon" and "manual"
Vince

Chris Soucy · February 16th, 2008, 04:09 PM

Sounds to me like there's a dud batch of heads out there.

I'd suggest you get onto Manfrotto PDQ.

CS

Philip Gioja · February 16th, 2008, 07:06 PM

Not sure if this is it, but I found with mine if I tilt it all the way forward and then back again, it clicks and then you can feel the resistance kick in. It doesn't change if I just have it level and turn the knob with the numbers.

Sam Bond · February 22nd, 2008, 05:10 AM

I bought mine about 4 weeks ago and the resistance is very disapointing. Have you had any luck getting them fixed/replaced?

Brian Duddy · February 22nd, 2008, 01:56 PM

Hi to all in here. I'm very confused as to what to buy. I own the canon xh-a1 and my goal is to shoot in the wildlife to landscape arena. I do wish to use a crane as well.but im just getting started and Im on a budget like most in here are. my first goal would be to master pan and tilts. using HD . I hear that when shooting HD with some Zoom on it its hard to get a good fluid pan look. because of the nature of HD. would it be best to buy say a 501HDV kit to get me going and then move to a more stable tripod wheni wish to use the crane. or am I looking at spending a lot more doah on a tripod that can do it all. (stubility,crane support, added camera weight...ect to get good pan and tilts). I ask this to all that have walked this path successfully. any wisdom is greatly appreciated. my budget for a tripod as of now is about 600-800. just to get me going. I will save the money if you can convince me to buy a better one for the long haul.

Thanx for all your input.

Toenis Liivamaegi · February 26th, 2008, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Duddy

...would it be best to buy say a 501HDV kit to get me going...

OT: No, 501HDV kit will be waste of money. You can not use even WA converter on your A1 with this head. It has been said that Libec LS38 is the minimum kit to get but it has it`s own drawbacks such as no 90 degree tilt and fixed counterbalance but it works really nice with a camcorder such as XHA1.

T

Kenneth Burgener · February 26th, 2008, 08:08 PM

I am also wanting to get a hdv head. I am getting a little better with my xh a1 and need to spend more time. One other question..... where do you guys put the white sticky tape to mark what is on the cassettes? When I put them on my tape will not go back in. Or do you even use these things. How is that for a newbee question?

February 14th, 2008, 08:25 PM	#1
Heiko Saele Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Wurzburg, Germany Posts: 316	Manfrotto 503HDV head problems We got 4 new tripods at work recently with the 503HDV heads for our HVX200 cameras. The problem is the vertical resistance of these heads seems not nearly enough. With the wheel all turned up to full resistance, it's still almost nothing at all - steady long shots are impossible. We also have a Sachtler tripod for the HVX and it has more vertical resistance at level one out of ten. This can't be right, but I haven't found any screws or anything for adjustment. Am I being stupid? There must be some hidden adjustment screws or something for the vertical resistance, right? By the way the horizontal resistance is good and can be perfectly adjusted from nothing to very heavy.

February 16th, 2008, 04:09 PM	#5
Chris Soucy Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fairfield, Dunedin, New Zealand Posts: 3,682 Images: 18	Hi guys........... Sounds to me like there's a dud batch of heads out there. I'd suggest you get onto Manfrotto PDQ. CS

February 26th, 2008, 08:08 PM	#10
Kenneth Burgener Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sanibel Florida Posts: 102	WAITING for the answer I am also wanting to get a hdv head. I am getting a little better with my xh a1 and need to spend more time. One other question..... where do you guys put the white sticky tape to mark what is on the cassettes? When I put them on my tape will not go back in. Or do you even use these things. How is that for a newbee question?

February 16th, 2008, 02:42 PM	#3
Vince Hill New Boot Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: UK Posts: 21	I noticed something similar when I received my 503HDV the other day. I assumed like you that there would be a way of increasing the resistance of forward tilt. At the mo I have it on max setting of 3 for a Cannon XHA1 but the maual says that a camera of that weight should be on setting 1!

February 16th, 2008, 02:43 PM	#4
Vince Hill New Boot Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: UK Posts: 21	apologies for my spelling - should read "Canon" and "manual" Vince

February 16th, 2008, 07:06 PM	#6
Philip Gioja Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Piper City, IL Posts: 350	Not sure if this is it, but I found with mine if I tilt it all the way forward and then back again, it clicks and then you can feel the resistance kick in. It doesn't change if I just have it level and turn the knob with the numbers.

February 22nd, 2008, 05:10 AM	#7
Sam Bond New Boot Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 10	I bought mine about 4 weeks ago and the resistance is very disapointing. Have you had any luck getting them fixed/replaced?

February 22nd, 2008, 01:56 PM	#8
Brian Duddy New Boot Join Date: May 2007 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 10	Hi to all in here. I'm very confused as to what to buy. I own the canon xh-a1 and my goal is to shoot in the wildlife to landscape arena. I do wish to use a crane as well.but im just getting started and Im on a budget like most in here are. my first goal would be to master pan and tilts. using HD . I hear that when shooting HD with some Zoom on it its hard to get a good fluid pan look. because of the nature of HD. would it be best to buy say a 501HDV kit to get me going and then move to a more stable tripod wheni wish to use the crane. or am I looking at spending a lot more doah on a tripod that can do it all. (stubility,crane support, added camera weight...ect to get good pan and tilts). I ask this to all that have walked this path successfully. any wisdom is greatly appreciated. my budget for a tripod as of now is about 600-800. just to get me going. I will save the money if you can convince me to buy a better one for the long haul. Thanx for all your input.