Manfrotto MVH500AH, Lightweight Fluid Video Head with Flat Base, Sliding Plate for Rapid Camera Connection, Supports Multiple Tripods

Heavier that the vanguard head that came on the vanguard 263 carbon tripod, which I thought was to heavy, this is 300 grams heavier! weighing 960 grams! But using it is wonderful with my spotting scope, so smooth and stops where you want it with a little twist of the left locking wheel. Feels better quality than the vanguard one. Smooth like butter :)

This product is outstanding and exceeded my expectations.Although called lightweight it is larger than you might expect. My Canon Legria G25 sits very comfortable on it and if anything makes it look big. It's very well constructed and finished.I'd previously read suggestions that there may be stiffness in the panning and that the control knobs can be hard to access but I'm mystified as to why. The panning is easy and is perfectly controllable. The tilt counterbalance works well too. I particularly like the sliding plate as when you've finished loading up the mic on top of the camera etc you simply loosen the lock and move the camera backwards and forwards until the counterbalance mechanism has settled into the equilibrium position that you want the camera to settle on. I've been filming football games so I want the camera to be angled slightly downwards and not pointing perfectly level to the horizon and this trick is perfect to achieve this effortlessly. The bubble level on the heads is easy to see and use too.I spent ages dithering and looking at cheaper options before taking the plunge and buying this but wish I'd done so earlier. It's worth the investment.

This head is fantastic due to it's smaller size and weight compared to other models such as the 502. The best feature has to be the new drop in quick release system. This head is definitely more suited to the DSLR shooter, especially if your using a rig with rail rods. The fluid system works very well and when compared to the 501, i'd say it's about half way on the pan and tilt adjustment. I've bought a few these heads for my monopod, tripod and slider as I prefer the drop in quick release system when compared to the slide in system. The locking knob on the right hand side is also a fantastic feature as it no longer hits the bottom of the camera when locking the quick release plate into place. This was definitely an issue when using a DSLR with older heads. Overall a highly recommended product with solid construction and well worth every penny.

Bought this fluid head for my Vanguard tripod to replace a ball head and gimbal head. I use canon 90d with a Sigma Contemporary 150-600mm lens attached and the head works perfectly with this combination mounted. The panning motion is beautifully smooth and the head can be perfectly balanced. For someone with arthritic hands this is a real bonus for my wildlife and landscape photography. I've added a bowl leveller and a Arca Swiss clamp to the manfrotto plate and it all works together beautifully. Very pleased with this purchase.

A pro user, have a 3k saloon Manfrotto stand, pretty good, but this had dreadful fluid motion. No full fluid resistance motion on full range of the tilt. Great brand poor product

Excellent head, smooth to operate at decent price.

Bought for birding, to use with a Swaro ATX85, and used with Manfrotto CF legs. Ultimately sent it back for refund after just one weekend, as the movement simply wasn't fluid. Almost impossible to sea watch with, juddered all over, couldn't get a smooth movement despite a lot of effort. Put my old 128RC back on and it's much better. Avoid, isn't up to purpose!

Very rarely do I pen (or type!) a review on Amazon (or anywhere!!), however this item warrants it! The build quality is excellent, I use it for my spotting scope for bird watching. It sits atop my Manfrotto 055 tripod.The panning is smooth and consistent, the mounting / quick release plate can be set back on the mounting tray so that if you need to find the centre of balance with items such as "front heavy" scopes or cameras, it is easily achievable. You don't have to, you could simply lock off the pitch movement with the locking knob, but its nice to get it naturally balanced.Rock solid, looks the part!