
Manfrotto 500ah
Video head
Manfrotto 500ah
Video head
Is the video head and its exchangeable plate rather unsuitable for dslr? What would you recommend for a beginner with a canon 5d m4?
I have used the video head (carrying capacity 5kg) with Canon 5D Mark IV and zoom Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM (weight together approx. 2.5kg) repeatedly for filming. Adjusting the weight balance was no problem. However, an additional levelling head is required for perfect horizonzal alignment of the camera (e.g. Sirui LE-60, I have an FLM LB60 myself, I returned the Manfrotto 438).
Professional video heads (e.g. Sachtler) usually have an integrated levelling device as well as adjustable damping for panning (horizontal and vertical), but they are much heavier, of course considerably more expensive and can often only be used on certain, in-house tripods...
I find the head perfect for DSLR/M. Especially the fact that you can remove the plate from the head with the "latching mechanism" and put it on.
I think that's the most ingenious thing compared to earlier heads that didn't have that or where you always had to push the plate in and then it was very difficult with a DSLR that protruded strongly to the right over the head to be able to tighten the screw sitting there properly. The screw always ended up on the underside of the camera.
With this head you don't have this problem at all.
For me, price/performance is absolutely top!