Fluid Heads from $350-$500
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- čas přidán 10. 08. 2023
- Always an angle toward wildlife photography, but this video can be used by anyone curious about these fluid heads. In this video we look at the following fluid heads:
Manfrotto 502AH
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iFootage Komodo K7
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Sirui BCH-20
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Manfrotto MH055M8-Q5
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Good job! Keep posting!
Wow, I just decided from fluid gimball to K7 head from iFootage. I already have the Cobra 3 pedal monopod from them, I love them!
Thanks for this review, very informative. A few cons about the sirui I didn't hear are
1. the tilt drag does not full lock the camera in place and the system will drift with weight on it(at least that's how mine is, and sirui did not fix it after I sent it back)
2. the tie down knob at the bottom of the bowl is proprietary(not 3/8's like nearly every single other system) so you can't put a lower profile knob to then get the camera lower to the ground.
There's a version of 502 with integrated half bowl 75mm (MVH502A here in Europe). Price is about the same as the flat version (MVH502AH).
great vid, thx!
Glad you liked it!
I use the Manfrotto MVH500AH with the Kirk Arca bridge. Mounted on an RRS tripod with levelling base. This works really well for me. I’m not sure I’d use a fluid head setup without levelling base as I’d be spending all my time adjusting the leg height. Nice comparison.
Thanks
I am a cinematographer, so my needs are different than those doing photography. FWIW, I have been through 3 Manfrotto fluid heads and they have all eventually disappointed me. I have experiences with Sirui, Benro and even the cheap SmallRig video heads. The Benro heads will eventually leak fluid, but the Suri and SmallRig seem to be better build quality than anything made by Manfrotto under $500.
The iFootage gear looks pretty good at it's price point, but 4 steps of counter balanced are way too few to be effective for a wide range of payloads.
I think the fluid leak is often worse in weather, though the Sirui seems a little bit more robust and less apt to damage.
I use the Manfrotto MVH500AH with a Kirk Quick Relase bridge (for my ARCA mount) on a Leofoto LB75S Leveling Base and LM324CL tall tripod. I am not sure what the difference between the Manfrotto 500 and 502, but it suits my needs very well. I use it for wildlife, landscape, and I can even plop on an iOptron SkyGuider Pro for astro.
I have had both and currently have the 502 with kirk bridge. The 502 has independent adjustable/variable drag for pan and tilt. The 500 does not. You can slightly tighten the lock on the 500 but its nothing like the 502... the 502 is significantly heavier.
Thank you for your reviews. Yow have the most detailed and comprehensive videos. Do you have any thoughts on the Ifootage Komodo K7? I do not know much about the company. How would it rank in this group.
Regards
Kevin
Ok, Scott I’m gonna wait for the next video. Really curious what that mystery head is as Im still looking for a smooth and light head to double up for the occasional video work.
I hope it's not Benro cus their latest WH15 Wildlife Fluid Head is massive disappointment...
Coming soon!
Thanks for the comparisons! The Leofoto BV-20K that is arca compatible seems interesting, is it the one you might review soon?
One week. Stay tuned
Has anyone used the Komodo K5/K5S or the Manfrotto MVH500 for large telephoto lenses like the 180-600? Please share, cheers!
Hello Scott Keys. Great Videos! Please can you help me with an answer. I have had so many opinions but you know exactly. I have a sony A9ii body with a 600mm lens. I've started doing surfing Movies, wrapping around a headland where i want a level horizon at all times and without . I was going to buy a gimbal but after listening to you please can you tell me in your opinion exactly what video head i should buy, maybe cheaper option too. I really appreciate your help so much...cheers Nikki 🙏👼🏻
Take a look at the Leofoto BV-20k. Use the coupon code wildlife20 and they will give you 20 percent off. Monfrotto makes a less expensive option but its not arca compatible and you might have to spend some money on adapters to make it work.
What is the manfroto to arca plate /bridge you are using?
scroll comments I linked a few
You said you don’t waste time on products you’re not going to recommend, then spent over 1/3 of the video talking about the product you don’t recommend. This does not inspire confidence in your judgement or credibility. Didn’t watch the rest.
I literally was gonna write that.