Manfrotto 504HD Video Head (Black),1 x 1 x 1 inches
Color | Black |
Brand | Manfrotto |
Compatible Devices | Camera |
Item Weight | 2.9 Kilograms |
Maximum Weight Recommendation | 5.5 Pounds |
About this item
- 4-step counterbalance system ensures a quick set-up with optimal balance
- Ball Bearing drag system for precise, smooth movements
- High rigidity structure delivers maximum response and strength
- Ergonomic controls for easy use in all conditions
- Light-weight modern materials for optimum balance of strength and weight
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This Item Manfrotto 504HD Video Head (Black),1 x 1 x 1 inches | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
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Price | Currently unavailable. | $499.00$499.00 | $89.99$89.99 | -15% $135.15$135.15 Typical: $159.00 | $314.95$314.95 | $229.00$229.00 |
Delivery | — | Get it as soon as Wednesday, Apr 3 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, Apr 3 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, Apr 3 | — | Get it as soon as Wednesday, Apr 3 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Quality of material | 5.0 | — | — | 4.7 | — | 4.7 |
Sold By | — | SmallRig | Photo Guard | SmallRig | Unique Photo, Inc. | Savage Paper Specialties |
compatible devices | Camera | Camera | Camera, Camcorder, Monitor | Camera | Camera | Camera |
max. recommended weight | 5.5 pounds | 8 kilograms | 10 kilograms | 10 kilograms | 17.6 pounds | 4 kilograms |
weight | 2.9 kilograms | 2022 grams | 49.6 ounces | 1200 grams | 2.47 kilograms | 5.15 pounds |
What's in the box
Product information
Product Dimensions | 15.7 x 8.5 x 8.5 inches |
---|---|
Item Weight | 6.38 pounds |
ASIN | B003FGWKH2 |
Item model number | 504HD |
Customer Reviews |
4.2 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #857 in Tripod Heads |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Date First Available | January 1, 2008 |
Manufacturer | Manfrotto |
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Brief Overview of Manfrotto 540HD Video Head
✅ Aladin's Reviews ✅
Product Description
The 504HD offers a perfect balance between design and performance. The bridge design improves the head’s rigidity, and its PAN friction control is fast, simple to fine-tune and protected from knocks. All structural components are made from aluminum, with the PAN axis rotation unit using ball bearings to obtain smooth, totally vibration-free controlled movements that can be directly adjusted using the head’s FDS variable friction system. FDS on both the PAN and TILT axes also ensures that the head works perfectly at all temperatures, with all types of equipment and under all loads. The 504HD has been designed to offer a load capacity of up to 16.3 lb, making it suitable for a huge range of equipment. The CBS counterbalance system has four presets for camera weights 5.5 lb, 11 lb and 16.3 lb. Leveling the head is easy thanks to the 75 mm diameter half ball and the back-lit bubble level. Two 3/8” threads on the top plate allow accessories to be directly and securely attached to the head, cutting down on set-up time and keeps your camera hot shoe free.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the smoothness, sturdiness, value, quality, and adjustability of the camera support. For example, they mention that it provides extremely smooth movements, it's built to last, and it'll provide solid, reliable, and repeatable pans and tilts. That said, they're happy with weight, and pan and tilt.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers are satisfied with the smoothness of the camera support. They mention that the control arm and the buttery smooth mechanics make the head extremely smooth. The head itself is big, sturdy, and fluid, providing smooth and stable moves with no vibration or stickiness.
"...and tilt drag controls, the adjustable control arm, and the buttery smooth mechanics, this investment was well worth the money spent...." Read more
"...The 504HD is good and smooth, has easy adjustments, and works with larger cameras. Plus it has threaded holes for attaching side arms...." Read more
"...70-200 lens the head is more than good enough to provide smooth and stable moves, no vibration, no stickiness in the pans...." Read more
"...Everything is nice and smooth with this head it's a very nice item and with the 535 or 536 legs you have a completely professional setup, albeit a..." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the sturdiness of the camera support. They mention that it provides solid, reliable, and repeatable pans and tilts. Some say that the product is built to last and is adequate. Overall, customers are happy with their purchase and recommend it to others.
"...Right out of the box, I was blown away at the build quality and beautiful design of the 504HD...." Read more
"...Coupled with the Miller Solo carbon fiber legs it is a very nice, cheap system...able to handle its task with ease and tough enough to last a while...." Read more
"...Everything is nice and smooth with this head it's a very nice item and with the 535 or 536 legs you have a completely professional setup, albeit a..." Read more
"Rock solid piece of engineering. The head is butter smooth. I am using it primarily for shooting DSLR video...." Read more
Customers appreciate the value of the camera support. They say it's worth every penny, has a superb fluid head, and is able to handle its task. Customers also mention that the price matches the quality.
"...arm, and the buttery smooth mechanics, this investment was well worth the money spent...." Read more
"...Coupled with the Miller Solo carbon fiber legs it is a very nice, cheap system...able to handle its task with ease and tough enough to last a while...." Read more
"...This head is a steal at the current price when compared to other models/brands with similar features...." Read more
"...Because the price was good, I decided to give it a try and I'm glad I did.Panning and tilting is very smooth with very little backlash...." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the quality of the camera support. They mention that it works well, has great functionality, and the counter balance system works well. Some mention that the head grinds when they tilt it. Overall, most are happy with their purchase and recommend it to others.
"...The 504HD is good and smooth, has easy adjustments, and works with larger cameras. Plus it has threaded holes for attaching side arms...." Read more
"Excellent head and great functionality with only one exception: it grinds quite loudly when you tilt it...." Read more
"...Value isn’t great becaus manfotto so expensive but the head works well...." Read more
"...Counter balance system works great on my Sony FS100." Read more
Customers like the adjustability of the camera support. They say it keeps the weight down while providing ample adjustment and butter smooth motion. They appreciate the adjustable control arm, and the longer plate and head that allow extra adjustment for balance. The head has variable drag settings, and an illuminated control panel.
"...With the easy to use pan and tilt drag controls, the adjustable control arm, and the buttery smooth mechanics, this investment was well worth the..." Read more
"...The 504HD is good and smooth, has easy adjustments, and works with larger cameras. Plus it has threaded holes for attaching side arms...." Read more
"...This head has variable drag settings like a Sachtler, but also an illuminated bubble level, and it looks sexy...." Read more
"...the "Bridge" technology keeps the weight down while providing ample adjustment and butter smooth motion in both axes...." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the weight of the camera support. They mention that the "Bridge" technology keeps the weight down while providing ample support. Some say that the product is portable and can be carried around on just one finger.
"...I thought would be a downfall, actually were non issues - it really isn't heavy (go use a Ronford for a while if you think it is) and there is no..." Read more
"...For lightweight and portable, try the fluid video monopod Manfrotto makes." Read more
"...I've had the Canon 400mm 2.8 on this and the weight is no problem...." Read more
"...handle very much and the "Bridge" technology keeps the weight down while providing ample adjustment and butter smooth motion in both..." Read more
Customers like the pan and tilt of the camera support. For example, they say it provides solid, reliable, and repeatable pans and tilts, and allows perfectly fluid pans. Some mention that it's okay for wide angle pans when tracking motion.
"...overkill using this head with my Sony A6500 rig but it allows perfectly fluid pans and tilts...." Read more
"This is a great fluid head. Provides solid, reliable, repeatable pans and tilts. Very happy with my purchase...." Read more
"Okay for wide angle pans and tilts when tracking motion..." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the size of the camera support. They mention that it is big, solid, and fluid.
"Big, sturdy head with enough strength to carry Super35mm camera along with multiple extensions and accessories...." Read more
"the used product was as advertised in very good condition. the fluid head itself is big, sturdy, extremely smooth movements. great." Read more
"well worth it - big, solid and fluid. very professional and worth every penny. get one today ! ! !" Read more
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Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
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Take it from me, if you're looking to not only increase your production value but confidently secure your camera setup, this is the way to go!
But in recent years cameras have gotten smaller and lighter - and better. A Canon C300 doesn't need anything like as big a tripod and with some of our film shoots now using only these smaller cameras, we needed a lightweight tripod.
Reviews can be a mixed blessing - research into a lightweight system left me more confused than anything - the new Ace systems looked good - but I already had a set of good fiber legs with a 75mm bowl and the Ace doesn't come as a head-only option. I'm no fan of Libec or Vinten, having used some of their systems in the past and the Miller options were just too expensive to be justified for the occasional, small camera only C300 shoots.
Manfrotto has gotten better over the years - but the 503HDV head we had lying around is just lousy. Which left the 504 - though many reviews I found were pretty damning.
But Amazon has a good returns policy so if it really was as bad as reviewed elsewhere then at least I could send it back.
The 504 is pretty solid - heavier than some alternatives - but that tends to be a good thing when you want support. The controls are easy and positive (unlike some systems where they're mushy and you find yourself over tightening just to be sure of a lock).
With a C300 and 70-200 lens the head is more than good enough to provide smooth and stable moves, no vibration, no stickiness in the pans. It handles everything with ease - anyone who has used a camera on a video head barely able to support it knows how nervous that can make a day's filming. The 504 has no issues with the C300.
Couple of niggling things about it...
The locking 'handle' that secures it to the bowl is horrible - very poor design - way too long, too narrow. I much prefer a short wide fixing as used on the top end Sachtlers. Also the screw thread is about 3 times too long - takes an age to fix the damn thing. Though this is probably essential because of the long handle design - a shorter thread would be at risk from the leverage inherent in the handle length.
The counter balance system was on the highest position for the C300 which surprised me - would have hoped for a bit more play since the C300 is not that heavy and way below the max weight for the head. I suspect it wouldn't handle a fully rigged F3 or similar with cages, external power and recorder.
Other aspects which I thought would be a downfall, actually were non issues - it really isn't heavy (go use a Ronford for a while if you think it is) and there is no backlash in panning.
Coupled with the Miller Solo carbon fiber legs it is a very nice, cheap system...able to handle its task with ease and tough enough to last a while. And so lightweight it can be carried around on just one finger. After years of tripods weighing a minimum of 20 pounds, that's a nice change.
I own a Benro BV Tripod and expected, since the two brands are often compared to one another, with the Manfrotto being more costly, that the Manfrotto would at least work as well as the Benro. I couldn't have been more wrong!
When testing the Manfrotto 504HD for the first time, I notice what sounded like ballbearings grinding when tilting. I could also feel the handle vibrating as a result of the grinding. The grinding would defiantly be picked up by a quality mic that was close to the camera, especially on a sound stage. If all I shot were music videos, this wouldn't be an issues, however, for the cost, I couldn't justify the limited usability of this head as a result of the noise it emits.
Because this was my first Manfrotto I actually thought the unit was defective and that I simply received a bad one, so I requested an exchange. The new one came today, and I'm sad to say that the grinding is just as bad on the new one! I've since read some reviews regarding this product and It seems that the noise issue is a common complaint.
I will be returning it and don't think I'll be taking any more chances with Manfrotto, especially after experiencing the Benro BV series.