Smallest True Fluid Head? (1 Viewer)

[shezza]

Hi all, At the moment I use a Manfrotto 501 fluid head. But now I have changed to a smaller compact camcorder this head is a bit bulky.
Does anyone know of a small true fluid head.

 

[Jaff]

Well there is of course the 701HDV, the smaller cousin of your 501. :t:

 

[johnf3f]

Don't know if it's the smallest but I can thoroughly endorse th Manfrotto 701 HDV - for the money it's a cracker! I did try a couple of the Gitzo fluid heads, much neater and better made, but they simply did not function as well for my uses (spotting scope).

 

[shezza]

Don't know if it's the smallest but I can thoroughly endorse th Manfrotto 701 HDV - for the money it's a cracker! I did try a couple of the Gitzo fluid heads, much neater and better made, but they simply did not function as well for my uses (spotting scope).

I have just photographed my tripod head to put it up for sale, and I stated the wrong model at the start of my thread. It is not a 501 as stated but a 503HDV so just in case I will ask the question again. Are there any good fluid heads out there that are lighter and less bulky or is the 701 a safe bet.
The camera I will be using is a Panasonic HDC D900.

 

[Jaff]

Ok let's try and clear this up then. Is what you have this http://www.manfrotto.com/product/0/503HDV/_/503HDV_Pro_Fluid_Video_Head
in which case this http://www.manfrotto.com/product/8374.31708.22801.0.0/501HDV/_/501HDV_Pro_Video_Head
or this http://www.manfrotto.com/product/0/701HDV/_/Pro_Fluid_Video_Mini_Head
would both be options available to you.

You can view the specs on both of them to find out which you think might best befit your needs but basically there is very little difference between the 501 and the 503 which leaves the 701 as one which could be described as a "small true fluid head". Otherwise have a look through here to see if anything else catches your eye http://www.warehouseexpress.com/fluid-video-heads/b3027

 

[iveljay]

About the only other true fluid head in this bracket ( I am aware of but havn't tried) is the Velbon FHD-61QN Fluid Video Head which is a few grammes heavier and looks a bit more basic - people like Vinten don't seem to cater for tripods without a ball base for the head - it doesn't look like you have a lot of choice?

 

[Malcolm Stewart]

I was sold the Velbon FHD-52Q as a head for birdwatching. How it qualifies as a "fluid head" as described in some adverts, I don't know. It's light but not very firm, the plastic construction doesn't help, and I found it near impossible to have it move smoothly in just one axis. I've now moved to a lightweight Manfrotto 391RC2 3-way head which being metal, does the job much better with less wobble.

 

[iveljay]

Unfortunately the FHD-52Q is about a third of the price of the metal FHD-61QN and it sounds as if it is reflected in its performance.
I'm glad that you have been able to find a useable head at a reasonable price despite manufacturers over optimistic advertising.