Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

  • Reviews
  • Recommended Cameras & Gear
  • Learn Photography
  • Contact
  • About
  • Subscribe

Manfrotto 500 Video Head Hands-On

April 16, 2013 By Eric Reagan

Manfrotto 500 Bridging Video Head

Manfrotto launched its new 500 video head at NAB 2013. It replaces the 701HDV and is resides as the entry-level head in Manfrotto’s Bridging Technology line of video heads.

Manfrotto 500 Bridging Video Head-10

The 500 comes in three flavors:

  1. Manfrotto MVH500AH w/ flat base
  2. Manfrotto MVH500A w/ 60mm half ball
  3. Manfrotto MVM500AH monopod kit

Manfrotto 500 Bridging Video Head-15

Having used the 701HDV before, it is clear after just a few minutes with the new 500 head that is a superior head. Manfrotto’s Bridging Technology gives the 500 a wider base to accomodate DSLRs and the fluid motion is very smooth on the head.

Manfrotto 500 Bridging Video Head-14

There are fluid cartridges on both the pan and tilt axes. It also has a fixed counterbalance around 5 pounds and can handle camera loads up to 11 pounds.

Manfrotto 500 Bridging Video Head-12

Manfrotto 500 Bridging Video Head-13

There is a nice 3/8″ accessory mount on the side of the head, which can be used for an external monitor, audio recorders or any other gear you want have at camera level via a cine arm. The pan bar can be attached to either the left or right side of the head.

Manfrotto 500 Bridging Video Head-5

The monopod kit essentially uses the same head as the MVH500AH; however, there is no pan function at the head. Instead, the pan is handled at the base of the monopod with a fluid pan cartridge just above the feet of the monopod.

Manfrotto 500 Bridging Video Head-19

Manfrotto 500 Bridging Video Head-21

I previously reviewed the older versions of this unit and found them to be simply awesome. The new MVM500AH kit looks to be every bit as solid of a performer as the prior models.

Manfrotto 500 Bridging Video Head-6

The mounting plate offers both a sliding function, which is common to video users, and a push-to-release catch used to lift the plate from the head, which is more common to photographers.

Manfrotto 500 Bridging Video Head-8

The design is intuitive to use and seems to do a competent job of retaining your camera without any accidental drops.

The Manfrotto 500 starts at $169.99 for the head alone, while the Monopod kit runs $329.99. See all the options for the 500 here at B&H Photo.

Filed Under: Gear Tagged With: 500, fluid head, manfrotto, monopod, MVH500A, MVH500AH, MVM500AH, NAB 2013, tripod head, video head

 

Support Photography Bay


Recent Posts

  • Reader Photos Roundup: March 26, 2023
  • WD 22TB External USB 3.0 Hard Drive Now In Stock
  • Reader Photos Roundup: March 19, 2023
  • Computational Photography & AI: Where Do We Go From Here?
  • Reader Photos Roundup: January 15, 2023

Pages

  • 2022 Black Friday Camera and Photo Deals
  • About
  • Camera and Photo Deals Newsletter
  • Canon 1D X
  • Canon 1Ds Mark IV
  • Canon 5D Mark III
  • Canon Rebel T4i
  • Contact
  • Disclosures
  • DSLRs
  • How to Subscribe
  • Learn Photography
  • NAB 2016 Live Blog
  • Nikon D4
  • Nikon D800
  • Photography Laws
  • Recommended Cameras & Accessories
  • Reviews
  • Sony Alpha A77

Copyright © 2025 | Photography Bay