The Manfrotto Video Head Range

We review the Manfrotto video head range.  The basic technical specifications are the what, you need the why and how.  Here it is…

MVH400AUS aka BeFree Video Head is one of the newest, small, light weight and light duty heads that Manfrotto makes. As you can see it weighs less than a pound and can support 10 times its body weight.  8.8lbs is really a DSLR camera with a large lens, like a 70-200 f2.8.  More than that and this head is over weighted.

The MVH500A and its twin the MVH500AH are both medium duty heads.  These are are REAL Fluid head that use the fluid disk for silky smooth movements.  The A version is for video tripods that use the bowl; the AH version has a flat bottom and can fit on any standard flat top tripod with a 3/8 attachment screw.  Both of these heads are discontinued and basically replaced by the MVH502A and MVH502AH heads.  The newer heads can support a heavier payload of up to 15lbs. The quick release plate is

New parts for the Video Heads 509HD, 516, 519 and 526

We are now stocking a wider selection of parts for the following video heads: 509HD, 516, 519 and 526 fluid video heads. Click below to find the most commonly broken parts on these video heads.

Click here for 509HD Parts
Click here for 516 Parts
Click here for 519 Parts
Click here for 526 Parts

We increased the items we are carrying to include the most commonly lost or damaged parts and in some cases parts that we see frequently fail.  These frequently failed parts are usually the result from the tripod tipping over and the head taking the brunt of the damage.  We are not finding a lot of replacements due to wear, mostly impact and rough handling.

If you are having problems, or just need a tune up or for repairs, send your name, address, daytime phone and email address along with your tripod to:

ManfrottoTripodParts.com Repairs
c/o SpartanPhotoCenter
108 Garner Road
Spartanburg, SC 29303

Once we have it, we will evaluate it and contact you. Please send us your daytime phone so we can reach you during business hours.

Lastly, if we are repairing your Manfrotto Product; we are recycling all broken parts and scrap articles. Almost nothing goes into the trash if we can help it.

 

 

 

If you are having problems determining what parts you need, or for a tune up or for repairs, send your name, address, daytime phone and email address along with your tripod to:

ManfrottoTripodParts.com Repairs
c/o SpartanPhotoCenter
108 Garner Road
Spartanburg, SC 29303

Once we have it, we will evaluate it and contact you. Please send us your daytime phone so we can reach you during business hours.

Lastly, if we are repairing your Manfrotto Product; we are recycling all broken parts and scrap articles. Almost nothing goes into the trash if we can help it.

 

 

Should I Change the Fluid in my Fluid Head?

Fluid video heads that use a fluid filled cartridge are not like cars.  The fluids do not need to be replaced unless they are broken.

Disassembled fluid disks

First, the fluid disc is a series of concentric circles that trap the fluid in them and slow the movement down by providing resistance.  The discs are generally inert and the fluid stays in place.  You don’t need to replace the fluid in the cartridge unless one of several things occur.

If the head has been stored in an excessively hot place for a long time, then there is a good change that the “fluid” has thinned because of the heat and settled, leaving half of the disc

Damaged fluid disk assembly

empty.  The discs are no longer parallel, the fluid, if it is still in the disc, and the fluid is all at one side.  This will greatly impair the smoothness and the feel of the head.  The heat can often make the fluid thin enough to escape the disc and run out.  If you’ve ever experienced the thick, sticky, gooey, almost impossible to clean off fluid then you will know what I am talking about.  In this case the fluid can be cleaned off and the discs refilled.

If the head was dropped and the fluid discs have been damaged then they should be replaced.  The little prongs sticking out of both sides can be sheared off if the head falls over or is impacted with enough force.

The discs are specific to different video heads, so it is best to start here for current heads, or here for other heads and getting the parts specific to it.

If you are having problems determining what parts you need, or for a tune up or for repairs, send your name, address, daytime phone and email address along with your tripod to:

ManfrottoTripodParts.com Repairs
c/o SpartanPhotoCenter
108 Garner Road
Spartanburg, SC 29303

Once we have it, we will evaluate it and contact you. Please send us your daytime phone so we can reach you during business hours.

Lastly, if we are repairing your Manfrotto Product; we are recycling all broken parts and scrap articles. Almost nothing goes into the trash if we can help it.

 

 

 

We now have parts for the New BeFree Live Video Tripod & Head

We are now stocking almost all parts for the BeFree Live tripod and most losable parts on the MVK400 Video head.  You can find the complete listing Here.

There is little that is different in the basic tear down and repair of this tripod or head.  Basic tools are needed, Torx T20, flat blade screw driver or Allen wrench; depending upon what you are working on.

The most likely parts you will loose or damage are the Leg Snap Levers, there are 3 sizes; the Center Column Locking Knob or the Bag Hook on the bottom of the center column.

The head we have already seen that the pan handle and the Pan Handle Locking Knob are going to be trouble.  The pan handle is prone to breakage, ESPECIALY of the tripod tips over and hits on the Pan Tightening Knob.

Make sure you are following the basic rules of tripod use and you should not have a problem.

If you are having problems determining what parts you need, or for a tune up or for repairs, send your name, address, daytime phone and email address along with your tripod to:

ManfrottoTripodParts.com Repairs
c/o SpartanPhotoCenter
108 Garner Road
Spartanburg, SC 29303

Once we have it, we will evaluate it and contact you. Please send us your daytime phone so we can reach you during business hours.

Lastly, if we are repairing your Manfrotto Product; we are recycling all broken parts and scrap articles. Almost nothing goes into the trash if we can help it.

 

 

How to change a head on your tripod.

One of the simpler modifications you can make to your Manfrotto tripod is changing the head.  While you may be able to get by with only one head, having several for different situations will make you life easier.

 

All Manfrotto, and Bogen, tripods that have center columns will allow you to lock the head so it does not unscrew during use.  The older tripods had up to 3 locking screws, we call them “grub screws,” while the newer tripods may only have one.  The grub screw is used to put tension on the head when it is screwed on, so it will not come off.  Indeed, if you have ever attempted to remove a head while the grub screws were tightened you could more easily destroy the head than unscrew it.

You don’t even need to remove the grub screw. Just backing the screw out enough to allow the head to unscrew is all that it takes.   The grub screws are accessed from the bottom of the center column plate or to the side of the plate. Just make sure they are backed out completely before you reattach the head, because the stability of the head depends upon the base of the head and the center column plate both being in good contact with each other.

 

If even one grub screw protruded it will prevent the head from staying locked and it may wiggle or unscrew during use.  The picture to the right is a head that never stayed on tight.  the customer sent this in for repair when it was only a grub screw that was causing the problem.  Backing out the grub screw, re tightening the head and re tightening the grub screw was all it took.

We often find on the really old Bogen tripods that the head and the center column plate might get stuck after years of being together.  Sometimes this is the aluminum wanting to bond, often its is corrosion or foreign contaminants.  Either way if you cannot unlock it, we can.

There are different grub screws for different series and models of tripods and center columns.  The old Bogen 190, 055 use three grub screws,  the Manfrotto MT190, Mt055 and MT290 tripods use a single grub screw and the 055 and 190 leveling columns use a single grub screw that accesses from the side.  The video balls also have grubs screws, found here.

If you are having problems determining parts needed, or for a tune up or for repairs, send your name, address, daytime phone and email address along with your tripod to:

ManfrottoTripodParts.com Repairs
c/o SpartanPhotoCenter
108 Garner Road
Spartanburg, SC 29303

Once we have it, we will evaluate it and contact you. Please send us your daytime phone so we can reach you during business hours.

Lastly, if we are repairing your Manfrotto Product; we are recycling all broken parts and scrap articles. Almost nothing goes into the trash if we can help it.

Trade in your old tripod & how it works.

Yes, we take old tripods on trade in.  Is it worth it?

1. We recycle old tripods that are not salvagable, so very little other than plastic and rubber goes into the land fill.
2. It does cost you money to ship it to us, but you get a newer tripod, with a new warranty, for less than you could buy it for, including the shipping.
3. Having the correct tools improves your work.  Less time improvising or making non-standard parts work, messing around with an inadequate piece of crap…

Click Here for an estimated credit value list.  These are only estimates, and actual value is based on condition once we receive it.

Make money from your old gear.

This October 13th and 14th we will be making trades in the store.  Trade in’s brought in or delivered on or before that day will also be eligible for trade in credits from Manfrotto on their New tripods and heads.  In some cases, the trade in incentives and specials from the Trade In & Trade Up day will make select tripods up to HALF OFF, or more.

 

Trade In Trade Up is Coming Soon……

This is the place!

This October 13th and 14th will be our 6th Annual Trade in / Trade up event. That is Friday and Saturday 10am until 3pm both days.

We will have Sales available for demonstrations.

See Demonstrations on various aspects of photography.

Make money from your old gear.

We will be taking cameras, lenses, tripods and certain other items for trade in.  UsedPhotoPro.com will be paying cash of used and collectable cameras, lenses and flashes.

Manfrotto will be taking old tripods on trade for their new tripods and heads.

Radio Poppers will be trading in for other remote slave units.

Get a Free pro[m]aster battery grip with any camera purchased.

If you cannot attend, but still want to trade in your tripod or head, click here.

Don’t miss out on our in store specials that we cannot advertise here.

 

 

 

I Cleaned Out my Video Head And Now It’s Not Panning Smooth – What Do I Do?

It all depends upon where you cleaned.  It is common for dirt and grime to accumulate in the cracks and grooves. This by itself is often the problem, especially if the dirt is gritty like sand. If you disassembled the head and cleaned out the grease from the bearings, then they will need to be relubed.  The picture is of the 128RC video head.  The bearing stack is a common feature in many of the older video heads.  Make sure the bearings are clean and lubed with a bit (not too much) on silicon or lithium grease.

Damaged fluid disk assembly

If you went even farther and cleaned out the fluid disks then you will need to relube those as well.  Normally the disks are filled with a type of grease that provides the smooth movements in this head.  If the disks are separated (as below) or the grease is removed (also as below) then they are mostly worthless.  You can purchase a jar of the grease here, or the discs are available with each head that takes them.

Disassembled fluid disks

The disks are not interchangeable between models. So be careful when you are working with these.  Also the grease is unlike any grease you’ve probably ever come in contact with.  It is sticky and gooey and not something that is easily cleaned up.  We never recommend taking these disks apart.

If you have problems,  click here to return the parts to us for reassembly.

If you are having problems, or for a tune up or for repairs, send your name, address, daytime phone and email address along with your tripod to:

ManfrottoTripodParts.com Repairs
c/o SpartanPhotoCenter
108 Garner Road
Spartanburg, SC 29303

Once we have it, we will evaluate it and contact you. Please send us your daytime phone so we can reach you during business hours.

Lastly, if we are repairing your Manfrotto Product; we are recycling all broken parts and scrap articles. Almost nothing goes into the trash if we can help it.

New Manfrotto MVM450A Video Monopod with Fluid Base

Introducing the newest addition to the Manfrotto line of fluid monopods !

The MVM450a is the fully functional MVM250A fluid video monopod with a MHXPRO-2W Video head on top.  This monopod is ready go, featuring both a fluid head on top and the removable MVA50A base; which can now be purchased separately as well!

Key Benefits and Features:  MHXPRO-2W Video Head:
This head is quickly becoming the best selling video head on the market.  The head features a  200PL Quick Release Plate (Click here for purchase and size info) Which is Manfrottos most popular plate, and most universally used on both photo, video and monopod heads.
 Portability:
Great solution for those users who are looking for a compact and light weight support for the camera. It can be easily carried around and in those situations where the use of a tripod is not possible because of the lack of space.
 Operating Height:
Four Sections on the monopod offers a great range of operating heights. This allows the user to be more flexible while shooting and reach points of view that otherwise wouldn’t be achievable. Whether shooting at eye level or overhead you always have a smooth pan in a very limited footprint. Minimum height flooded is 30.31 inches and maximum extended height is 78.74 inches including the head. Weighs only slightly more than 4 lbs. Safe operating capacity is 8.8 pounds of gear.

New Monopod foot with fluid cartridge

 Patented Fluid Base System:
Features the patented fluid cartridge system incorporated into the base that gives an incredibly smooth panning action to the monopod while shooting video.
 Fluid Base:
The fluid base accessory will convert a photo monopod into a fully functional and video monopod. Compatible with Manfrotto models; 679B, 680B, 558B, and all the photo monopods that feature a 20mm tube in the last section.
 Reasonable Price:
The MVM450a is expected to retail for for about $ 249.99, including the installed fluid base.

Click Here to see pricing and availability.

How Do I Repair a 503 Video Head?

The simplest answer is don’t!

Replacing the knobs and handles are fine for regular folk, but if you are attempting to open and repair parts on the inside of the housing…DON’T.  Several of these have a very large spring, under a lot of tension, that requires some specialized tools to disassemble and reassemble.

If that spring is let out improperly, it could not only do person injury, it is possible to break part of the housing, bend the flanges or mess it up to where the head is almost useless.

On any of the Bogen 519 or Manfrotto 516, 519, 526 and HDV series video heads, the best thing is let a trained technician do the repair.

If you are having problems, or for a tune up or for repairs, send your name, address, daytime phone and email address along with your tripod to:

ManfrottoTripodParts.com Repairs
c/o SpartanPhotoCenter
108 Garner Road
Spartanburg, SC 29303

Once we have it, we will evaluate it and contact you. Please send us your daytime phone so we can reach you during business hours.

Lastly, if we are repairing your Manfrotto Product; we are recycling all broken parts and scrap articles. Almost nothing goes into the trash if we can help it.