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Deal alert: Manfrotto 504 Video head and legs for $299, B&H (1 Viewer)

Sam Posten

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So good I had to get one for the very limited DSLR video shooting I do. The head alone is usually $449, this is a total $600 savings. Deal of the century IMO

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...ngle_leg.html/mode/edu/mode/edu/dealZone/true

http://slickdeals.net/f/8482203-man...ipod-kit-299-95-b-h-photo-w-free-shipping?v=1

MANFROTTO 504HD Fluid Head & MVT535AQ Aluminum Video Tripod Kit $299.95 @ B&H Photo w/ Free Shipping

Specs:
504HD Fluid Video Head
Load Capacity 16.5 lbs (7.5kg)
Diameter/Thread 75mm 3/8" Half Ball
Counter Balance System 4 Step
Counter Balance Range
0 lb (0 kg)
5.5 lb (2.5 kg)
11 lb (5.0 kg)
16.5 lb (7.5 kg)


MVT535AQ Aluminum Tripod Legs with 75mm Bowl
Material Aluminum alloy
Load Capacity 44.09 lb / 20 kg
Head Fitting 75 mm bowl

60 mm (with included adapter)
Maximum Height 67.32" / 171 cm)
Minimum Height 8.98" / 22.8 cm
Folded Length 23.43" / 59.5 cm
Leg Stages/Sections 3/4
Independent Leg Spread 23, 50, 70°
Leg Cross Section Round
Leg Tube Diameters 1.4, 1.16, 0.98, 0.79" / 35.4, 29.5, 25, 20 mm
Leg Lock Type Tension adjustable Flip-lock
Spiked / Retractable Feet Spiked feet with retractable rubber covers
Weight 7.16 lb / 3.25 kg
Packaging Info
Package Weight 8.75 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH) 24.8 x 6.1 x 6.0"
 

Scott Merryfield

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Can you replace the Manfrotto proprietary mounting plate with an Arca Swiss compatible one? I am not a fan of Manfrotto's quick release system, so I replaced the mounting plate on the Manfrotto head for my monopod with a Kirk AS-compatible one -- B&H used to sell this as a kit.
 

Scott Merryfield

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That conversion plate looks cumbersome and potentially not solid. The Kirk clamp I have for my Manfrotto monopod head completely replaces the Manfrotto clamp, and looks like it is just part of the head. This one at B&H looks similar to the one I own, except this fits in the Manfrotto clamp. Mine replaces that piece and instead bolts to the head.
 
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Sam Posten

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Sam Posten

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Strangely mine shipped without the screws necessary to pin the camera on, and had no instructions and no feature tag looped onto the legs. I suspect a return or floor model. B&H is now out of stock and wants me to get those parts directly from Manfrotto. The thing is a beast tho, I really don't want to send it back. I really want to try this heavy duty setup for moon and other Astro shots...
 

Scott Merryfield

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That sucks, Sam. I am surprised that B&H wasn't more helpful -- I always had good service from them. If it was sold as a new item, they should either order you another one or get the parts for you.
 

Citizen87645

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Strangely mine shipped without the screws necessary to pin the camera on, and had no instructions and no feature tag looped onto the legs. I suspect a return or floor model. B&H is now out of stock and wants me to get those parts directly from Manfrotto. The thing is a beast tho, I really don't want to send it back. I really want to try this heavy duty setup for moon and other Astro shots...
Which lens are you using with it?
 

Sam Posten

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I hope to use a variety but mostly the 80-400VR for bald eagles at Conowingo. I usually shoot that on a monopod with an arca swiss head from RRS.
 

ManW_TheUncool

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Didn't realize you tried birding w/ this setup. Did you like it for that?

I almost bought the beast in the video (on sale) at one point... but of course, recently ended up w/ (even) slightly bigger beast (due to the beefier video head... for less).

Definitely not kidding how beasty it is (as the video guy mentioned). Probably makes (me and) my Nikon D800 feel a little embarrassed unless I'm using a 3lb+ tele lens (like f/2.8 70-200 or bigger) -- I do often use such for shooting video w/ DSLR... but would probably be smaller if/when I switch to mirrorless for video...

I was thinking maybe I should check out suitable carbon fiber legs (w/ half bowl mount) instead -- noticed that the Feisol Tournament series has that option -- but wonder if it'll be sturdy/stable enough as that reviewer questioned in that video...

_Man_
 

Sam Posten

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Didn't realize you tried birding w/ this setup. Did you like it for that?

Yes, but with a caveat. You have to be ok with a very limited range of direction and slow (comparatively) changes in FoV. I keep a 70-300 on the 850 handheld while using longer lenses on the D500 on the video rig.

That way I can scan the far side of the Dam with all the reach I can handle and swap to handheld for flyovers at the near side where we stand when they occur.

I'd be too constrained with just the big ass setup.
 

Scott Merryfield

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Yes, but with a caveat. You have to be ok with a very limited range of direction and slow (comparatively) changes in FoV. I keep a 70-300 on the 850 handheld while using longer lenses on the D500 on the video rig.

That way I can scan the far side of the Dam with all the reach I can handle and swap to handheld for flyovers at the near side where we stand when they occur.

I'd be too constrained with just the big ass setup.
Ah, the benefits of owning multiple camera bodies.
 

ManW_TheUncool

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I'm in the same boat. The short answer is: not directly

The long answer is you can either screw mount the arcs Swiss plate over the Manfrotto or buy a conversion plate like these on eBay:

http://m.ebay.com/itm/Arca-Swiss-ty...rotto-503-501-502-504-3433-3460-/231315413843

Is that the actual conversion plate you (still) use? Working well?

Looks kinda odd to have the arca-swiss mount on one end of such a long conversion plate, but I guess that allows for more balancing adjustment (on these larger video heads) depending on the camera rig.

The substantially cheaper one I saw from ProMediaGear doesn't have that extra length (as it seems designed for the smaller Manfrotto heads) and is also fixed along one axis (vs that adjustable one)...

BTW, noticed the Feisol Tournament series carbon fiber legs would be ~5lb lighter than (or ~1/3 the weight and probably bulk of) those beasty Manfrotto twin legs that came w/ my bundle -- the video head itself is ~5lb...

_Man_

PS: Sorry my following up on this thread might be misleading since the originally referenced sale was 2 years ago...
 
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