Product Description

Developed specifically to support the latest prosumer and professional light compact HD camcorders, the 701HDV offers an updated design, which has been created for improved ergonomics with locks and knobs that allow for a more solid grip and better control, a better fluidity thanks to improved internal fluid cartridges, a double pan- bar rosette and a bigger sliding plate to optimize the position of the camera considering its centre of gravity. Attachment (bottom): 3/8'' female thread; attachment (top): 1/4'' and 3/8'' screw; balance control: one fixed spring for 1.5Kg camera weight; bubble spirit level; color: black; counterbalanced; front tilt: - 60Degree / +90Degree range; height: 3.74 in.; independent pan lock; independent tilt lock; load capacity: 8.82 lbs.; material: aluminum; 2 pan bar positions; 1 pan bar included; pan drag: fluid cartridge with fixed drag; panoramic rotation: 360Degree degrees; plate type: 501PL; quick release; sliding travel of plate: 2.28 in.; tilt drag: fluid cartridge with fixed drag; weight: 1.83 lbs.; working height: 3.74 in.

Product Details

• Color: Black
• Brand: Manfrotto
• Model: 701HDV
• Dimensions: 5.16" h x 4.57" w x 13.58" l, 2.54 pounds

Features

• Silky smooth pan and tilt action.
• Built in quick release system.
• Sliding quick release plate allows perfect camera balance.
• Extra pan bar (purchased separate) can be attached for extra smoothness.

Customer Reviews

Compact size, Great Value
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!

Great head for smaller cams
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.

Good for Handycams w/ limitations
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.