Customer Reviews

Manfrotto 701HDV Pro Fluid Video Mini Head

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I'm a professional photographer and videographer. This head is pretty good for small handycams, like my back-up Canon HV30. In fact, there are precious few well made fluid/friction heads for that class camcorder. With the small cam pan/tilts work fine as long as you're not trying too many zoomed in slow movements or diagonals. But I find it too light for prosumer models like my Sony V1u loaded down for any detailed movement. It is stable when locked down for interviews but limits the amount of tilts or panning I'd can comfortably do. I'd say this is one of the better heads available for small handycams, but one should be aware of it's limitations. Considering upgrading to the 501hdv or 503, if using a 4+lb. camera.

I have been using the Manfrotto 501(old style, non-HDV) fluid head with my 20X80 and 25X100mm binoculars since 2001. The 501 head works well with optics from ~3 lb to 10+ lbs.

I learned about the new 701 HDV in late 2008. I was looking for a more compact mount for field use. I liked the idea that the 701 HDV head use the same 501 PL quick release plate as the 501/503 fluid heads. All of my giant binoculars and spotting scopes have the 501 PL attached. Getting the 701 HDV head means I can swap optics on different mounts quickly. I ordered the 701 HDV from Amazon/Ace Photo Digital in early March 2009. Placed the order on a weekend. Received tracking info on Sunday. Arrived on Tuesday. (free shipping).

The 701 HDV is quite compact compared to my 501 head. I would estimate just over 1/2 the volume. Fluid motion is very smooth. Much better than the 728 digi tripod/head I purchased a few years back. Fixed counter balance spring works quite well for my 3.5 lb bino. I was not planning to use this head with my heavier optics but the 701 HDV works fine with bigger binoculars up to my 8.5 lb 25X100. ( to my surprise). The 501 Plate permits about 3 inch of fore and aft balance. Works much better than Bogen heads using the 3157 PL. This compact fluid head will be much easier to carry in the field in than the bigger 501 head (rated for 13.2 lbs). I plan to add a second pan handle to make panning even easier.

Highly recommended!

After using this for some time during the summer months and into the fall I have to say I wish I bought this long ago.

Nice smooth action once you get use to it's behavior. I say this since it can be a bit of a snug feel when panning even after you use it for awhile which is fine that it has stayed nice and snug so I know it won't "wear out" too soon. The vertical adjustments are really nice and the long adjustable handle makes this function with little effort.

Gear Used: I have a Canon HF-S21, wide angle lens which adds a good amount of weight, sitting on top of this with a Rode VideoMic so by me stating "smaller" in the title you will be able to understand that the head works well with this size/weight of a camera.

Fit & Finish: Very good fit on my tripod. This head seems to be made nice and strong so I'm willing to say that it won't wear out in the near future. I've put well over 115 hours using it and it still feels and acts like new.

Cost Factor: I think this is well within the price being sold for and unless you need a head that will hold double the weight as this one can, save your money by buying the 701 and buy some extra flash cards, lights or other items needed.

Issues: Nice and snug can also be a bit much if your tripod is too light, which mine can be as this head would benefit by being mounted on a set of legs with a bit of weight on them so panning would not allow the tripod to crawl at times. Simple fix is just hold the side of the tripod until you move the head even the smallest bit, once you get going it's all good. I'm thinking that after a couple hundred hours it should move really well or some heavier legs will do the same. One can also use the old "weighted down" tripod method and save some cash while the head breaks in.

Over all I'd recommend this every time if you have a smaller camera, don't need a big budget head unit and want quality right from the start.

bought this to use with the Panasonic HMC150.
the bogen 701hdv is rated for 3lbs and the hmc150 weighs around 4lbs so the internal spring in the tripod head isn't strong enough to return the camera to level after tilting down/up,
would need to get the 501 for that,
but the head is nice and compact which is great for travel or carrying around a lot.
and it is truly super smooth fluid action!

i was using the velbon dv7000 which just couldn't handle the hmc150's weight at all.
the 701 is like a dream!
if you haven't been willing to spend more than $100 on a tripod, i can speak from experience when i say that it is the single best small investment you can make if you are serious about getting smooth professional shots with pans and tilts.

and i know this head will be perfect for the Panasonic GH1 or Canon 7D when i'm ready to add dslrs to my camera collection.

I have the 501HDV and needed another tripod head. The 701HDV is just as smooth as the 501HDV but almost half the size and weight. I am very happy with this purchase. If you are considering getting one, then go right ahead - you won't regret it!

This is the first fluid head I've ever used, and I have no real complaints. Motion is very smooth and it is just the right size for my Sony XR500V Handycam, except for one small detail - when the quick release plate is positioned far enough back to engage the anti-rotation pin, it covers the battery release button. It's a minor inconvenience to have to remove the quick release plate to change the battery, but not enough to give this item less than five stars.

Very good for DSL videography. I use cannon T2i with 24-105 L lens and it allows very nice smooth movement in any direction. I use Canon T2i with hand grip and it fits very nicely over this fluid head. High quality product!

I had been putting off purchasing a Manfrotto video head for some time, but then I was able to use the 701HDV, and I had to get my own!

As always, Manfrotto comes through with an awesome build quality that feels durable, and will withstand traveling from the US Virgin Islands to the mainland, and around the world!

Most of the time, the 701 is on my Manfrotto monopod, which allows me to run and gun taking pictures or, as I'm typically doing, filming with my Canon T2i.

I'd highly recommend the 701 for a beginner videographer all the way up to a seasoned veteran!

You won't be disappointed!

I use it with Canon 5d mark II and it works perfectly. Smooth moves and pans are easily achieved. My only complain is the the design of the quick release switch (part# r701). If it is right under the camera body and you will not be able to release the camera without the help of something like a flat head screw driver, which unfortunately I have to carry with this head all the time. This is the only reason I give it 4 stars instead of 5.

I purchased the Manfrotto 701 HDV head from JR Music in Manhattan July 16, 2011. I mated it with a Vanguard heavy duty carbon fiber tripod and use it to mount my JVC Everio GZ-MG330HUS HDD/micro SD Hybrid camera with Konica Minolta Lens. (Although I mention my entire tripod system in this review, I am rating only the Manfrotto Head)

I've already logged one State Park Field and boating trip to test out all of it's features. My tripod came with a case large enough to accommodate the tripod and head without the hassle of having to remove the head everytime I needed to case it up. The only item I need to break down is the pan lever handle which screws off in a couple of seconds.

Upon reaching my field location, all I did was extend the tripod legs, tweak the leg heights until leveled and center bubbled, then screw on the pan lever handle. One to two minutes max. The camera mount plate that attaches to the camera may be screwed in by hand or with a Quarter for extra tightness. It just barely covers my battery slide out mechanism, but I'm still able to remove my camera battery without removing the mounting plate with just a little finesse.

The head is spring loaded which is designed to keep heavier cameras balanced but actually causes my lighter camera to spring up when tilt is performed near the 180 degree maximum range. So I just lightly tighten the tilt lock just until the camera remains stationary in all tilt ranges. At that point, tilts and pans are smooth and seamless and it stops on a dime for a stationary frame.

Once I went from field to boat for shots on the lake, I easily removed camera from the head with the quick release feature, cased up the tripod, and was able to take handheld shots with the camcorder from the boat.

Upon downloading my video once back home, I noticed all my moving shots taken with the Manfrotto 701 HDV were smooth at the start and stop and all the way through the movement with very little effort lending the professional look to my videos. This is perfect for my application of Video Hobbyist and the cost was very affordable. I highly recommend this head for those with similar applications.