Im sure theres already a thread on this but i couldn't find one. Ive been looking to get a more fluid head for my camera arm and was just wondering what all you guys use.
Manfrotto!!! As far as which model depends on your setup. More specifically total weight of the package you will have on it.
What he said...I am about to buy my filming set up and everywhere I have looked Manfrotto was the choice!
If you ask me, the Manfrotto 701hdv was the best choice for most cameras we use. It's fairly light weight and compact and has a very good fluid motion. Problem is, Manfrotto discontinued this model and replaced it with the mhv500. The mhv is a good head, but it uses a much longer plate than the 701. This interferes with removing the battery on alot of smaller cameras. Right now I'm using the Vanguard PH-123V. It is virtually a clone of the 701, but mine sucks. There is travel in the tilt before you hit the fluid motion, so you have to be very careful when you start to tilt. I'm not sure if I have a defective head, or if they all are like this. I regret selling my 701 when I upgraded and wish I had it back.
Manfrotto All The Way! You can't buy the 701 HDV head anymore unless you find someone selling one. I have been looking for one for months. The MV500AH replaces the 701 HDV. I have the 700RC2 and I like it a lot. I found mine on Amazon last year. Here is a link. http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-700...ie=UTF8&qid=1423604496&sr=8-1&keywords=700rc2
I've got the mvh500ah, like sky mentioned the plate is longer and makes it difficult to change the battery but after upgrading to a larger battery I never needed to change it in the field. I also just slide the cam back on the plate slightly and was able to get to the battery release just fine. If I'm not mistaken I think you can interchange different plates onto this head and eliminate the problem all together. It's very smooth and holds position well when adjusted right. Only having a smaller cam the head itself does look kind of big but I found it still easy to pack in and out. Good luck and watch out filming gets addicting. This season was first year I had everything really needed and I'm already looking to upgrade some things. Here's what is looks like with a vixia hf s21 attached if interested.
For small cameras the Manfrotto 700RC2 works great. That's what Todd uses and it's what I have on my Lone Wolf camera arm. It's more compact than the 701HDV was and with the small plate it doesn't get in the way of the battery.
Something else to add why o picked the head I have is that it might be a little big for the smaller cameras out there but I was more looking at the next one I might get. If I upgrade cameras I can still use the Sam setup on everything else petty much. Think both it and the arm are rated for 11 lbs. So that may be something to think about also while choosing what gear to get. May save some money in the long run if you find out you enjoy filming.
I also use the Manfrotto MV500AH and it does seem a little big for my Canon XA20 but it is very smooth. If you slide the plate further up a little you have just enough room to remove the battery.
