Manfrotto 504HD,546BK Video Tripod Kit with 504HD Head and 546 Tripod - Black

I've been in the film/video production business for about 30 years. Twenty of those were spent at one of the oldest production companies in the country. I routinely would direct shoots with crews using high-end cameras sitting on Sachtler tripods. And I've also used Sachtler's myself on shoots. In my opinion, there is simply no better tripod on the market. Recently I went out on my own and, of course, getting a good tripod was a priority. I searched far and wide to find something comparable to a Sachtler but at a more reasonable price. This Manfrotto combo fit the bill. At less than half the price of a comparable Sachtler, this tripod/fluid head combo is a pretty good deal though it is not a Sachtler. I bought it to hold my Canon 7D, mattebox, and motorized slider rig... It would be overkill if you simply need a fluid head for your DSLR or small camcorder.

Pros:

Fluid head is wonderfully smooth and adjustable.

Looks amazing! A++++ for styling. (The red accents match my Philip Bloom Pocket Dolly)

Quick and easy lever locks on the legs.

Tension on the leg locks can be adjusted with an allen wrench (a very important feature).

Lighted level (why didn't I think of that?).

Easy ball head leveling.

Large camera plate with spare screws AND a place to store them on the tripod.

Ability to add accessories to the tripod like a monitor arm.

Removable pads on spiked feet.

Cons:

The spreader like Sachtler spreaders doesn't always collapse as easily as it might.

Black painted aluminum will scratch over time.

No pouch for parts or a screwdriver in the tripod case.

Weight? Not an issue for me, but it's not quite as light as carbon fiber (nor as expensive).

Formidable. This is not a wimpy DSLR tripod. And yet, it is not a monster either.

Manfrotto obviously went for the gold with this combo especially the fluid head and they succeeded. If you can't afford a Sachtler, this is a good alternative.

Video production is what I do. And I am around a ton of different tripods, heads...good and bad. By far I would recommend this set up for DSLR shoots when on a budget, and without spending thousands of dollars. The new bridging technology is pretty cool. And the 3/8'' adapter on the side of the head is killer for attaching your articulating arms for your zoom/ monitor. The head is smooth and has a lot of settings to play with. The legs are all right, they are definitely sturdy but at the same time a little on the heavy side. But you get what you pay for. Nothing too heavy though.

I am around sachtlers tripods and really expensive heads. I would recommend this tripod to anyone looking for a great piece of equipment. I am very pleased with it. And I am happy to have it apart of my kit.

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this Tripod is perfect large and stable, I use a teleprompter on it and its rock solid, No regrets at all, the price was right too.

Read Best Reviews of Manfrotto 504HD,546BK Video Tripod Kit with 504HD Head and 546 Tripod - Black Here

As expected, Manfrotto has built a high-quality, reasonably priced tripod with fluid head. I've only been using this for a few weeks, but it has exceeded my expectations. If you take the time to learn the controls and what everything is for, you'll definitely appreciate this product. The tripod is very sturdy. The leg extensions are easy to use, and can be extended with one hand if needed (although I always suggest using two hands to prevent from dropping your gear!). It has a bubble level which can be lit by the push of a button and the included battery. The feet articulate so you can create a level base for your camera on the most uneven of surfaces. My only gripe with it is that you should be able to lock down the center of the mid-section support so all of the legs move evenly, but even so you get used to it. With the two-stage legs, there are plenty of places to mount accessory brackets to hold your monitors and sound equipment.

The fluid head is smooth and easy to use. It does take time getting used to! No one should expect to pull this thing out of the box and be a pro, there is a learning curve. You've got to learn how to set your counter-balance and drag to efficiently operate this thing. The counter-balance and drag settings work well, although the panning drag adjustment is in an awkward place that makes it difficult to adjust (it's underneath the tripod head, so you've got to have small fingers to make fast adjustments). I've got it loaded up with a 5dmk3, RedRock Micro Cinema kit w/cage and follow focus, and anything from a 18mm to a heavy 70-200mmL lens. Although this thing is rated for around 17lbs, I've had over 20lbs on it without any hesitation from the head. I feel safe with $15k+ of gear loaded on this thing.

All in all, I highly recommend this piece of gear. Ours is being used in a high-end commercial photography/cinematography studio, and so far we are very confident in it's abilities to keep up with our demands.

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I've been using this tripod for over a year, on dozens of shoots, corporate video web promos and indie film. It is one of the things I just don't worry about. It is easy to adjust. I love the leveling head with illuminated bubble. It has a great, sturdy bag. It is a bit on the heavy side. For pan and tilt, I have been adjusting them on the more resistant side, and very happy with the results.