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Manfrotto MVH500AH, Lightweight Fluid Video Head with Flat Base, Sliding Plate for Rapid Camera Connection, Supports Multiple Tripods

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 1,593 ratings
Amazon's Choice highlights highly rated, well-priced products available to ship immediately.
Amazon's Choice in Tripod Heads by Manfrotto

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Purchase options and add-ons

Color Black
Brand Manfrotto
Compatible Devices Camera
Product Dimensions 14.4"D x 6.4"W x 6.4"H
Item Weight 2.5 Grams
Maximum Weight Recommendation 5 Kilograms

About this item

  • UNI Safety Payload means your gear is safer than ever. We updated how we measure payload for this product. Content on this page may differ from that on the box you receive; detail here is correct
  • Professional fluid drag system on pan and tilt movements
  • Center of gravity: 55 mm and 2.4 kg pre-set counterbalance system on tilt movement
  • Sliding plate for rapid camera connection and set up
  • Flat base supports multiple tripod connections

Additional Details

Made in Italy
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Made in Italy
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$199.00
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Manfrotto MVH500AH, Lightweight Fluid Video Head with Flat Base, Sliding Plate for Rapid Camera Connection, Supports Multiple Tripods
Manfrotto MVH500AH, Lightweight Fluid Video Head with Flat Base, Sliding Plate for Rapid Camera Connection, Supports Multiple Tripods
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Price$199.00$54.99-20% $39.20
Typical:$49.00
$61.97-28% $54.99
Typical:$75.99
Delivery
Get it Apr 2 - 3
Get it as soon as Monday, Apr 1
Get it as soon as Monday, Apr 1
Get it as soon as Monday, Apr 1
Get it as soon as Monday, Apr 1
Customer Ratings
Quality of material
4.7
4.4
4.4
4.6
5.0
Stability
4.7
5.0
4.6
4.4
4.8
Value for money
4.3
4.6
4.5
4.8
Sturdiness
4.7
4.8
4.1
Light weight
3.7
4.7
4.6
Sold By
CameraSpot
Leifrotto
SmallRig
Lixinshunyi
Lixinshunyi
compatible devices
Camera
Camcorder
Camera
Camera, Camcorder
Camera
folded size
86*76*102mm
70mm in height and a 36mm-diameter in base
14.5 centimeters
max. recommended weight
5 kilograms
22 pounds
3 kilograms
6 kilograms
8.8 pounds
weight
2.5 grams
1.7 pounds
279 grams
30.97 ounces
0.39 kilograms

From the manufacturer

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From the brand

What's in the box

  • What's in the box: Manfrotto 500 Professional Fluid Video Head with Flat Base, 500PLONG Quick Release Plate, Pan Bars, Manfrotto 5 Year Limited Warranty (6 Month + 4 Year & 6 Month Extension with Online Registration)
  • Product information

    Warranty & Support

    Product Warranty: For warranty information about this product, please click here

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    Manfrotto

    Manfrotto MVH500AH, Lightweight Fluid Video Head with Flat Base, Sliding Plate for Rapid Camera Connection, Supports Multiple Tripods


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    Product Description

    The MVH500AH is a lightweight head with a wider platform for HDSLR bodies which has a sliding plate which travels to balance the latest interchangeable lens cameras. The entry-level 500 ensures smooth shots and fine control with up to 5kg (11lbs) of equipment. It's the most compact head in our successful Bridging Technology range and it replaces the Manfrotto 701HDV video head. Beautifully smooth shots: the 500 has professional fluid cartridges on both pan and tilt axes to ensure that every camera movement is smooth, controlled and precise. Faster, easier and safer to use: the side lock system allows the camera and sliding QR plate to click quickly into the head from above, instead of needing to be aligned and slid in from the back. No secondary safety lock is necessary. The side lock system also makes it quicker and simpler to lift the camera out of the head from above. The 500 has a pre-set counterbalance of 2.4kg (5.3 lbs.), but is able to support equipment of up to 5kg (11 lbs.). The 500 has one Easy Link 3/8" connector to allow an external monitor or other accessory equipment to be fitted. MVH500AH head with flat base tripod mount for attachment to a hybrid photo/video tripod, a traditional photo tripod, slider, a monopod or other supports. Specifications: 1/4" and 3/8" attachment type 3/8" screw attachment type 1 Bubble Spirit Level Independent Pan Lock Independent Tilt Lock Lateral Tilt -70 Degree / +90 Degree tilt range Material aluminum Maximum Working Temperature 140 Degree F Minimum Working Temperature -4 Degree F 2 Pan Bar Positions 1 Pan Bar Included Pan Drag fluid cartridge with fixed drag Panoramic Rotation 360 degrees Quick Release Plate Type 500PLONG Secondary Safety System Spring Loaded Counter Balance Tilt Drag fluid cartridge with fixed drag Weight 2.05 lbs. Working Height 3.74 in

    Product guides and documents

    Customer reviews

    4.6 out of 5 stars
    4.6 out of 5
    1,593 global ratings

    Customers say

    Customers like the quality, smoothness, performance, value, and fit of the camera support. For example, they mention that it's well built, works well, and is totally worth the price. Customers are also impresseded with the fluid head, ease of use, and weight.

    AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

    75 customers mention70 positive5 negative

    Customers are satisfied with the quality of the tripod head. They mention it's very high quality, well built, and reliable. Some say that the base plate is awesome and that it snaps on and allows them to swap the camera quickly. Overall, most are happy with their purchase and recommend it to others.

    "...the case with all Manfrotto products I have purchased, the head is of substantial quality: there are no flimsy or cheap parts...." Read more

    "...pans and tilts and you really cannot beat the price for this very high quality head. Buy it and you will not be disappointed!" Read more

    "...plate on the top of this bad boy, those plates are really quick and sturdy." Read more

    "...This head is very heavy, very stable, works great, some of the components could've been (should've been) metal yet were plastic...." Read more

    58 customers mention58 positive0 negative

    Customers are satisfied with the smoothness of the camera support. They mention that the pans and tilts are smooth and fluid. The handling is perfect and the movement is very smooth but effortless. The product works great for video and photos, and the results have been smooth.

    "...to me, this head has what many fluid-head reviews lack: it pans absolutely smoothly from a dead stop to start and continued movement; I can detect..." Read more

    "...This head fit the bill perfectly. The fluid movements are really wonderful. Perfectly dampened and with springs to help return it to level...." Read more

    "...Its smaller but still retains that butter glide pan and tilt movement. Supposedly this is a true fluid head (whatever that means, who cares)...." Read more

    "...If you're in the market for a proper fluid head with great motion and don't mind a bit of weight, this is a very good choice for the money." Read more

    29 customers mention29 positive0 negative

    Customers are satisfied with the performance of the camera support. They mention that it works well with the 438 leveling base, and on a Manfrotto tripod. It also works great on slididers, with smooth motions. The product is a perfect combination of size, function, and reliability. It works well for video and photos, with the supplied mounting plate. Some customers have reported issues with the tilt. Overall, most are happy with their purchase and recommend it to others.

    "...(works great on tripod as well)...." Read more

    "...This head is very heavy, very stable, works great, some of the components could've been (should've been) metal yet were plastic...." Read more

    "...Together with the 438 leveling base, it works nicely...." Read more

    "This is a great tripod head! works amazing with my canon 7D and my Sony Ex-1...." Read more

    19 customers mention19 positive0 negative

    Customers find the value of the camera support to be impressive. They say it's totally worth the price, a travel worthy video head, and a deal for shooting video with a small to medium DSLR.

    "...great motion and don't mind a bit of weight, this is a very good choice for the money." Read more

    "...it approximates a gimbal tripod head with much less weight and a lower cost...." Read more

    "...BLURB: The 500 is a lightweight travel worthy video head and deal for shooting video with a small to medium DSLR...." Read more

    "Excellent head. Worth every penny. So reliable, so well built...." Read more

    18 customers mention14 positive4 negative

    Customers like the fit of the camera support. They mention it's an almost perfect balance between size, weight, and performance. The head fits like any camera and has very good build quality. It has the right combination of size and utility for amateur videographers. It's small, stable, and has great fit and finish. It fits flat plate tripods with 3/8 mount and is perfect for big lenses.

    "...This head fit the bill perfectly. The fluid movements are really wonderful. Perfectly dampened and with springs to help return it to level...." Read more

    "...The flat bottom fits standard photographic tripods (3/8" thread) and has a wide platform for DSLRs, making it a good choice for photographers..." Read more

    "If you've not tried a fluid head, then this is a must! Perfect combination of size, function, and reliability...." Read more

    "...on most tripods especially for “lightweight” tripods The included adapter is too short and caused damage after a few hours of use...." Read more

    18 customers mention18 positive0 negative

    Customers are satisfied with the fluid head. They mention it's a great product, easy to use, and acts as a gimbal head. Some say that it'll work well with small tripods and monopods. Overall, customers are happy with their purchase and recommend it to others.

    "Good fluid head, just a bit heavier than the Amazon description which lists the head at 2.5 grams. Think it's more like 1 kg...." Read more

    "...The fluid head carries them with ease. I doubt that I would ever go back to using a ball head. This does everything I need it to do...." Read more

    "...A great fluid head!" Read more

    "Very smooth, good build quality a great fluid head for a run-n-gun small tripod or monopod...." Read more

    16 customers mention16 positive0 negative

    Customers find the camera support easy to use. They mention that it is well made, and convenient than a gimbal system. They also say that the head allows for easy, smooth tracking of moving objects, and that the quick release is easy to operate. Customers are also happy with the lockdowns and the adjustments.

    "...Very easy to use and handle. There is a leveling bubble when you tilt the head up so you can level the head...." Read more

    "...Plus, installation was easy: a few spins and the MVH500AH mated to the 3/8" bolt on my Manfrotto 190...." Read more

    "...The thumbscrew which manages the assembly is easy to get to, and with a little practice, swapping out gear will take only a few seconds...." Read more

    "Love this fluid head! This is well built and easy to use. I prefer this over a ball head for photography...." Read more

    16 customers mention12 positive4 negative

    Customers like the weight of the camera support. Some say that it's very lightweight and compact, while others say it'll work well for light to medium-heavy cameras. The MVH500AH is a light duty fluid head aimed at travel and amateur video. It's acceptable for light use cases.

    "...What I wanted was something very lightweight and compact. This head fit the bill perfectly. The fluid movements are really wonderful...." Read more

    "...This head is very heavy, very stable, works great, some of the components could've been (should've been) metal yet were plastic...." Read more

    "...In effect, it approximates a gimbal tripod head with much less weight and a lower cost...." Read more

    "...I prefer this over a ball head for photography. It is bulkier, but it is a small price to pay for a straight horizon...." Read more

    Silky smooth pans & excellent fit and finish
    4 Stars
    Silky smooth pans & excellent fit and finish
    The MVH500AH is a light duty fluid head aimed at the travel and amateur video markets. The flat bottom fits standard photographic tripods (3/8" thread) and has a wide platform for DSLRs, making it a good choice for photographers dabbling in video production.BUILD: The cast aluminum fittings, removable panning handle, giganormous quick release plate and excellent fit and finish make for an impressive package. Plus, installation was easy: a few spins and the MVH500AH mated to the 3/8" bolt on my Manfrotto 190. It held my Canon 80D with EF-s 18-135 3.5-5.6 IS USM perfectly and delivered silky smooth pans. Drag is fixed but resistance is ideal for pans from 10mm to 200mm on APS-C and smoother than my larger and more expensive Manfrotto MVH502AH video head.The pan handle is comfy and provides plenty of leverage, making it easy to grip and steer. One thing I appreciate is the panning handle is not only adjustable for angle, but can be mounted on the left or right side. I’m right-handed but prefer panning with my left-hand, using my right-hand to work camera controls.QUICK RELEASE: The 500 sports a Rapid Connect (Q5) quick release and includes a single 500PLONG plate. The 500PLONG is the long (5.5") version of the 501PL plate. It's ungainly on a DSLR and obviously designed for the long and narrow form factor of pro camcorders. However, it’s designed to slide in the clamp like a rail, allowing it to be positioned for optimal balance.Mounting the 500PLONG takes multiple steps: angle in plate from above, snap in, position for best balance and, finally, tighten the thumbscrew to lock. Tabs prevent the plate from sliding out of the clamp if you forget to lock it. To release, unscrew the lock lever and press the release tab while lifting the rig out. Not quick but secure and easy to rebalance after a lens or camera change.I use the Arca-Swiss (AS) quick release system on my other heads. So I installed an AS compatible clamp (Sunwayfoto) on the head by mounting it on the 3/8" stud of the 500PLONG, yielding an easy to use quick release. Best of all, I can leave an AS plate on my camera and mount it on any of my heads without swapping plates. And, yes, mounting/removing the camera is faster with the AS clamp but I can still slide the 500PLONG for optimal balance.GOTCHAS: Unlike most other Manfrotto video heads, plates for the 500 can't be slid in. Instead, they snap in from above at about a 20 degree angle. Snapping in the plate is more difficult and slower compared to sliding in, especially with larger lenses and accessories attached to the camera. However, since I use an AS compatible clamp the before mentioned is a moot point for me.The extremes of the vertical tilt befuddle me: if I release my grip on the panning arm at the lowest or highest point of the vertical pan, the head is deflected in the opposite direction as if spring loaded. Of course I can hold the panning arm or lock it down but other positions in the pan-path hold position. I’m not sure if this is a feature or defect but my Manfrotto 128LP fluid head simply sits there instead of recoiling and doesn't need to be locked or held. If this is a feature, maybe it’s supposed to keep a heavy rig from suddenly crashing to the extreme of the vertical pan?FINAL BLURB: The 500 is a lightweight travel worthy video head and deal for shooting video with a small to medium DSLR. It's almost perfect but, if I were to grade the 500, it would earn an A-. But it nails the important things: silky smooth pans, easy to balance, is stable and has great fit and finish.
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    This review is for the Manfrotto MVH500AH Lightweight fluid head. I have had this fluid head for about a month and have used it quite a bit. I use it strictly for photography and not video. Prior to having this fluid head I had a Manfrotto ball head. It worked fine except I never liked the quick release plate that came with it. I became intrigued with this fluid head when I saw it used and recommended by photographer, teacher and YouTuber Hudson Henry. After watching a few of his videos I decided to make a purchase. The panning and tilting motion are smooth and fluid. I actually shot my first panorama with this. There are only two knobs to use, one for panning and one for tilting. Very easy to use and handle. There is a leveling bubble when you tilt the head up so you can level the head. I use it for landscape photography, wildlife photography and astro photography. The fluid head acts as a gimbal head, very easy to use for bird photography. One of the photos I included shows a mirrorless camera and a 200-500 lens mounted on it. The fluid head carries them with ease. I doubt that I would ever go back to using a ball head. This does everything I need it to do. I absolutely love it and highly recommend it.
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    Bernie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Top quality
    Reviewed in Canada on September 15, 2023
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    5.0 out of 5 stars Fait le job
    Reviewed in France on October 15, 2023
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    5.0 out of 5 stars La rótula 10 a un precio razonable
    Reviewed in Spain on May 11, 2019
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    5.0 out of 5 stars 雲台は三脚よりも良いモノを
    Reviewed in Japan on September 21, 2023
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    Chris
    5.0 out of 5 stars Working as a dream
    Reviewed in Australia on July 10, 2023
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