Product Description

3343 (501) Pro Video Head / 351MVB2 Tripod / 3189 Mid-Level Spreader / 565 Spike Foot Shoes / MBAG90P Padded Tripod Bag

Product Details

• Brand: Manfrotto
• Model: 501,351MVB2K
• Dimensions: 19.25 pounds

Features

• 501 Pro Video Fluid Head
• Quick-release sliding plate with VHS pin, a single pan handle and a flat base with 3/8" tripod mount.
• Adjustable tilt friction knob. Pan handle can be mounted left or right. Optional second handle is available.
• Adjustable pan friction control. Separate pan and tilt locks, built-in spirit level

Manufacturer Description
This Professional Tripod System consists of the 351MVB2 pro-video aluminum tripod and the 501 pro-video fluid head, and is perfectly suited to the new HDV cameras. The kit offers a tripod with a tandem leg section, a mid-level adjustable spreader, and a 75mm bowl leveler topped with a smooth fluid head with quick release. The system compactly folds down to a smaller size due to its three leg sections. The kit also includes tripod shoes and a soft padded and tapered carry case. The 501 Pro Video Head is designed to support the latest range of small, professional digital cameras as well as cameras with longer lenses and spotting scopes.

The 501 is designed to support a range of small professional digital cameras as well as photographic cameras with longer lenses and spotting scopes. The head gives best-in-the-market value and performance for medium payloads. The light but positive fluid movement provides exceptionally smooth control on pan and tilt movements. It has added Teflon friction adjustment to increase drag and separate pan and tilt locks. Because of its design practicality, it also features a quick-release sliding plate with VHS pin, a single pan bar, and a flat base with 3/8-inch tripod fixing.

The 3284 Half Ball is for leveling video heads on tripods with 75mm bowl. Adapts flat-base video heads for tripods with 75mm bowl.

Customer Reviews

a really nice tripod kit...
This tripod comes with a fluid ball head for controlled panning which you can adjust the tension (for greater resistance and hence slower pans) on in three different directions. This tripod set comes with a surprisingly nice bag, which brings to mind a futuristic golf club bag, and which is very useful, as well as rubber shoes for the feet. The tripod legs have an included spreader at the second joints which in turn can be tightened to further enhance rigidity.

It is a great set and all the components are impressively made--although I would expect no less for the cost. I don't know if this tripod would actually be considered professional grade--but it is difficult to imagine in what situation more tripod would really be needed except in the most intensive studio situations or in cases where weight was the critical issue.

This tripod is fairly high when fully extended (nearly 64" from floor to top of head) which is good for video--being essentially at eye level--but it may be a pain as it is, bag notwithstanding, not really that light or that small to be considered easily portable.

If you're willing to spend $250 or more for a tripod that might be used for video as well as photo I think this is a great option considering the quality (this tripod will outlast most if not all of the digital photo and video equipment as the status quo is constantly on the verge of being obsolete) and the additional accessories.

Great first choice
This will be my second 501 fluid head with bogen/manfrotto sticks. This tripod system is great for various productions of any budget(if any). Its a stage one system, great for your lower end professional DV/HDV video as well as Digital Cameras. This is my back up tripod kit and to tell you the truth for its price range it doesn't get much better than this. It's extremely versitile, also it provides great pans/tilts if used correctly. I would reccomend this to any veteran/amature film maker. Its weight is about 20lbs so some would say its not to portable- but what are you going to do carry the tripod as you shoot. It is an A+ system.

A Great Package
The most important thing is getting the right tool for the job. If you've got a camera thats less that 6 kilos and are looking to get some super smooth tracking and panning shots for your film/documentary in a variety of conditions then this tripod system is for you.

As mentioned in other reviews a really pleasant surprise is the quality of the padding case which stores the tripod. The whole case is generous padding with dual extra large zips for getting the tripod in and out without any fuss.

The first thing you notice when you open the case and take out the tripod is the great feeling of quality. The tripod has a real solid feeling to it, with nothing feeling like it could easily break. The tripod head was also bigger than expected with the handle grip feeling great in the hand.

In this case the camera being loading onto the tripod is a Canon XL1, and I am happy to report the tripod handles it brilliantly. Panning and tilting smoothness was at a level unachievable by other tripods. All the jerkiness that usually came with quickly moving the camera around was gone. The horizontal and vertical friction control is great and allows you a new level of control as opposed to just being able to lock off the unit. The favorite feature, and certainly a requirement for our team, was the bowl head setup with leveling bubble. This great feature allows you to have the camera perfectly level on uneven ground.

All in all this is a great tripod system thats gives you brilliant results at a reasonable price. If your camera is less than 6 kilos then this quite possibly is the tripod for you. If your camera is bigger I'd recommend getting a larger head that can handle heaver loads.