Some Manfrotto head advice please

PaulF

PaulF

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Hi,

I currently have a substantial Manfrotto tripod with a 503 fluid video head.

I would like to make use of it for photography.

Can I get a new head for it to suit photography?
I'm sure I can but all the ones I've looked at on the Manfrotto website show just the top of the head and I'm not 100% sure how I would attach them!

See this for what I mean.
http://www.manfrotto.co.uk/product/8374.31708.76901.0.0/322RC2/_/Heavy_Duty_Grip_Ball_Head

This is like my current video tripod/head:
http://www.manfrotto.co.uk/product/0/503HDV%252C525PKIT/_/525MVB_Tripod,_503HDV_Head_plus_MBAG90P_bag_kit

Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.
Paul.
 
Paul. Couldn't you just screw the QR plate to the bottom of your camera ? The fluid head can be adjusted for friction. I guess it would depend on whether you wanted to use a heavy body/lens combo.
Maybe ring Morris Photographic, sorry don't have the number to hand
 
Found it 0845 430 2030 they keep masses of Manfrotto gear. I'm sure they will be able to help.
 
Your tripod head should unscrew from the top of the tripod - hopefully revealing a standard tripod mounting setup.

With regards to the head - what will you be using the tripod for? Personally I don't really see the point of grip action ball heads for general photography needs - for that money you could get a really good standard ballhead (Look at the Benro B-1).
 
This is your tripod : LINK

This is a normal photography tripod : LINK

The top of your tripod and the top of the standard photography tripods are NOT the same therefore a normal photography head will not just attach. I would suggest speaking to Studio1 who are Manfrotto's importers and asking about whether it is possible the buy an adapter.
 
Thanks for the quick replies, as always on this forum.

Darren, I was afraid of that....

I'll give those contacts a call once I've double checked the model number of my tripod.
 
trevorbray said:
Paul. Couldn't you just screw the QR plate to the bottom of your camera ? The fluid head can be adjusted for friction. I guess it would depend on whether you wanted to use a heavy body/lens combo.
Maybe ring Morris Photographic, sorry don't have the number to hand
Click to expand...

I'd thought about trying that, the problem is the quick release plate is quite long, used with a Sony PD170, with the screw towards the front, not sure I'd be able to look through the viewfinder without poking myself in the neck every time :)
 
Hairyduck said:
You can get a bowl adaptor so you can use a normal head on your tripod, you need to check which one you need but here's an example:

http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/pid/3336?livid=107&lsf=107&child=2
Click to expand...

That's the kind of thing that is already on mine, just when I disconnect it the long thread comes away leaving the 'half ball' on the head.
Now if that comes off the head, problem solved, I think :D.

Now wishing I wasn't going straight to Scotland from work, won't be able to check 'till Monday
 
Ouch, its a pain when that happens. Still it has to be worth getting the adapters etc. Looks like one serious tripod that :)
 
Yes the half ball comes off the head. It is held by three grub screws. the part ref is 520BALL or 520BALLSH if you want to buy a second one for your photo head.

The part can also be ordered from their UK web site

www.manfrotto.co.uk

Pete
 
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