Manfrotto MVH500AH, Lightweight Fluid Video - Review

Product Review: Manfrotto MVH500AH, Lightweight Fluid Video Head with Flat Base, Sliding Plate for Rapid Camera Connection, Supports Multiple Tripods

If you’re a professional videographer, you understand the importance of having the right gear to make your shoots go smoothly. And if you’re looking for a reliable, lightweight fluid video head, the Manfrotto MVH500AH may be just what you need.

This video head boasts a variety of impressive features that may help you take your videography to the next level. But is it worth the investment? Let’s take a closer look at what this product has to offer.

Design and Build Quality

First and foremost, the Manfrotto MVH500AH is designed with safety in mind. The UNI Safety Payload feature is a new addition that measures payload more accurately, so you’ll know exactly how much weight your gear can hold. Additionally, the center of gravity is 55mm, which helps to distribute weight evenly and prevent your gear from tipping over.

The video head also includes a professional fluid drag system for smooth pan and tilt movements. And weighing in at only 2.4kg, this video head is incredibly lightweight - making it an excellent option for videographers who need to move around frequently.

One downside to the design of the Manfrotto MVH500AH is that it only has a flat base. Although this feature does allow for easy attachment to multiple tripod types, it may not be ideal for videographers who prefer a bowl-shaped video head.

Set-Up and Ease-of-Use

The sliding plate is one of the most convenient features of the Manfrotto MVH500AH. You can quickly connect and disconnect your camera using this plate, which helps to save time during your shoots.

Additionally, the pre-set counterbalance system on the tilt movement allows you to balance the weight of your camera before you shoot - this way, you can make adjustments easily without having to stop and readjust the head.

When it comes to ease-of-use, the Manfrotto MVH500AH is relatively straightforward. But if you’ve never used a video head before, you may need to spend some time learning how to adjust the controls for pan and tilt movements.

Price Point

The Manfrotto MVH500AH falls in the mid-range price point for video heads. You can expect to pay around $250 to $300 for this product, depending on where you purchase it from.

There are certainly more expensive video heads on the market, but is the Manfrotto MVH500AH worth the investment? Ultimately, it depends on the specific needs of your videography business. If you value safety, ease-of-use, and lightweight design, it could be a good option.

Customer Feedback

So, what do other videographers think about the Manfrotto MVH500AH? Based on the 1522 reviews on the product page, the video head has an impressive average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars.

Several customers praised the smoothness of the pan and tilt movements, and many found the sliding plate to be a useful feature. Additionally, the lightweight design was a major selling point for some users.

However, a few reviewers had complaints about the build quality of the product. Some reported that the plastic parts felt flimsy, and a few had trouble with the knobs coming loose during use.

Overall, the customer feedback for the Manfrotto MVH500AH is predominantly positive. Still, it’s worth considering the potential downsides before making a purchase.

Conclusion

The Manfrotto MVH500AH is a lightweight, professional-grade video head that could be an excellent addition to your videography gear collection. Its UNI Safety Payload feature, pre-set counterbalance system, and sliding plate make it a convenient and safe option for videographers who need to move around frequently on shoots.

That said, the flat base may not be ideal for everyone, and there have been some criticisms of the build quality of the product. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide whether the Manfrotto MVH500AH is worth the investment for your specific videography needs.

Manfrotto MVH500AH, Lightweight Fluid Video

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