Manfrotto 3046-3433 Tripod Set with 501 Pro Video Head

by Bogen

Product Details

• ASIN: B00011WJUW
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 17, 2003

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not really a 3433 501 Pro!, October 19, 2007

By 

John Brawn (Bay Area, California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Manfrotto 3046-3433 Tripod Set with 501 Pro Video Head (Electronics)

I ordered this 3046-3433 combo as soon as I saw it. (Bogen - Manfrotto 3046-3433 - 3046 Tripod with the 501 Pro Video Fluid Head with Quick Release) I was having trouble finding reputable vendors who were still selling the 3433 which has recently been discontinued by Manfrotto, so I was very pleased to see it available here.

I was unhappy to find that the actual unit shipped to me was a 501HDV video head. This is noticeably inferior to the 3433 "501 Pro" video head which was promised. I played with them side by side, and the brand new 501HDV isn't nearly as smooth. Also, when I stop a tilt, the head pushes back a little and the rebound is visible in the video. This is with the "counter weight" spring disengaged. When the spring is engaged the head is completely useless with my 1.5 lb camcorder.

Others have complained about the cheap feel of the 501HDV because of the large plastic components. I don't personally think all the plastic is as big a problem as the fact that it won't stay put at the end of a tilt.

The bright point was the 3046 tripod. This is a really well built tripod for the money. So far it has been very stable with solid controls and adjustments. I'm really pleased with the height I can get out of it.

I hope Ace Photo Digital updates the details of this item soon to reflect that they don't actually ship a 3433 501 Pro video head.