MPR Says: “Lightweight traveler”
“This tripod is great for ENG and documentary work. Lightweight and quick to set up, the Manfrotto 501 will not wear you down on demanding shoot days that require lots of location moves or running and gunning. More of a prosumer tripod, the 501 has a quick release plate that’s ideal for small scale DV cameras. According to Manfrotto, the 501HDV head design was inspired by much larger and robust professional fluid heads like the O’Connor 2575 or Sachtler V20. They’ve managed to capture a lot of great features of these heftier fluid heads without losing sight of the 501’s appeal as a smaller tripod system. With tilt friction and quick locking capabilities, the 501HDV Fluid Head offers professional versatility that will appeal to shooters that don’t require a heavier system. “
The Bogen Manfrotto 501 Tripod is ideal for fast-paced Mini DV shoots. This lightweight tripod has everything needed for obtaining a clean shot, such as a leveler and additional pan and tilt friction control. The pan arm itself can be fitted on either the right or left side. A quick release sliding plate with a secondary safety latch makes it easy to remove the camera for handheld shots.