Review: Manfrotto 502AH Pro Video Tripod Head (502HD MVH502AH 502) 

Very nice video. I appreciate the smooth presentation with no "uh"'s or other awkward vocal interruptions. I also appreciate the well thought out progression in the listing and explanation of features and the smooth hand movements. This is easily the best review I've seen to date. Thank you for taking the time.

Excellent review: I've been researching various options, but this review has convinced me to go with this head. Thanks for taking the time to make the video, very clear and informative.

this is what unboxing and review should be like! very well done!

Very thorough comprehensive video, best I've seen so far. Thanks for making this!

While this review is well over 4-years old, It's still very informative for those of us considering the MVH502AH in 2019. Thank you! 10:38 I believe the handle is reversible and can be mounted on the left-hand side. This would free-up the right hand to control the tilt lock.

This was a very well put together review. Also thank you very much for including the footage you recorded with it. Really shows off the stability of the head.

This is exactly the video I was looking for! Thank you for going step by step on exactly how to use it and what each knob does!

Though this video a little old, it's still being sold today - in 2018. This is the exact video I was looking for to decide if this would be the right tripod head for me. Thanks so much for the great, detailed and comprehensive review and demonstration! It helped me out a lot and I'll most likely pick this up myself to improve my video quality. All the best!

Very helpful post-purchase to understand the various operations and applications of this pannning head. Thank you so much for taking the time to put this content together, very helpful.

Excellent review! You were concise, clear and apparently accurate and comprehensive. This review is so much better than many that play annoying music. Thank you much!

I've had one since 2013. Used it with Manfrotto crossbar on Manfrotto Pro4 Carbon tripod to film a dance concert. Worked beyond my expectations. Totally recommend. Great tutorial, by the way. Kudos...

You did a great job. The video was very informative and showed that you had done your research on the specifics of the head. Looking forward to more videos.

Still super helpful 3 years later! Thanks!!

Thanks for making this! I appreciated the detail and the demo videos. Really informative.

Gonna post this to my Google+, as this was a really useful video for me making my decision of purchase. Not to mention this is a very well done video considering you're just starting your channel out! Thanks!

Great review, thank you so much! Just unboxed this bad boy and cannot wait to give it a proper try :)

This video's a lifesaver. Saved me hours on trying to figure out how to get the plate off. Thanks so much!

Thanks for the upload. great detail and clear review,I just bought this for the second time.first time I thought too big and bulky but I had used others and they do not pan as soft so I got me another Manfrottto 502AH. Merry Christmas!

I'm so glad you mentioned the tilt sound. I bought this and was hoping someone mentioned this. I thought I had a defective product. thanks!

Just got mine today, it is used so I am abit worry when hearing that weird noise from adjustment. Feel much better now thanks to your very detailed and informative review. Still find this helpful early of 2019. Thanks!

Brilliant review. Enjoyed watching it and has helped me when deciding on a video head.

Just got it, thanks for the review/video. This really helped in my purchase

Thank you for this comprehensive review. I think I'm going to invest in one of these.

Here I thought this was another stupid un-boxing video. I was surprised on how professional this is. You went into great detail on everything and verbally explained more than what I expected. For those who may be new to tripods you may wanted to add how to mount it. I hit it lucky and just bought a used 502AH from B&H for $109.00. This was probably a display. Appears new with very little marks but works great. This is a very good head for video.

Thanks for the comprehensive and clear review, very helpful.

Great and useful video. Thanks very much for the thorough and easy to follow instructions. Keep up the great work !

Outstanding review and extremely helpful. You answered a lot of newbie questions right off the bat!! Now if i can only find out how to mount my Canon EO2 M4 to it

Nice review, after watching your video I went to the local store and tried for the first time, thinking about getting one as my Christmas gift!!

The best explanation so far on RU-vid for the pro video head. Thanks a lot for the very informative video. Subbed 😉

Really helpful information, i just got this product as part of a kit, and i appreciate your discussion, which is clearer than the manual ;) I too was concerned about that weird kind of rattling noise when you turn the pan knob, thanks for mentioning it! I bought my kit used, and i thought there might be something loose in there. Many thanks, great review!!!

Very helpful. Great video quality too. Really great review!

Excellent video - just bought a fluid head for a community videography training programme we are going to be doing at our charity. This is the best online video that I have seen...

I wanted to thank you for your thorough review. Very clear and precise. I ultimately went with the new version of the 500. But i might just upgrade for a little more money and although the it's almost double the weight, if I get better results with it. it will be worth it. Thanks again! Jake

Thanks buddy. I just got mine in the mail and your video helped me to get set up right away.

Well done...I would add that when adjusting the drags to only do so when actually moving the head in that motion. adjust horizontal drag while panning and tilt drag when tilting. Thus, there is no noise and you get full range of resistance.

Fantastic, detailed review. Thanks!

Really an helpful review! Thanks!

EXCELLENT review!

Thanks for the great review, it should help me narrow down my choices. This head is now a top contender.

Now that's what I call a review , thanks a lot!

This head is still available and I just bought one. You talked about the tilt being "self leveling," but it's really counterbalanced for an 8.8 lb camera and can handle up to a 15 lb camera. This was too much for my 3 lb camera since I will need to pan and tilt for live streaming and I can't have it moving when I let go of the handle. Luckily, I found a video of how to remove the counterbalance spring and that solved the problem. So far, I'm very happy with this head.

Great review! What camera did you have on the tripod when you were filming the aircraft? Thanks

BEST video review ever !!!

Excellent review video! Thanks for making this

Nice demo. Which tripod were you using ? I'm in need of a decent sturdy tripod

i miss these old youtube videos

Excellent review.. I have a question, Does the 502AH head,work with 60mm half ball ? Or just with 75mm Thank you.

Great review & fantastic video clip. Not sure what head to get but think you've helped me decide. Thanks

Very well done, and extremely informative, thank you.

Great video. Would you know if the QR plate that fits the 501 head, will also work with this 502AH Pro? It appears that the qr plate for the 501, (which I have) is wider than the one used for the 502AH?

Many Thanks for the review, please advise if this Tripod Head could be used for still Photography as well.

Oh god, i thought i'd broke something when i heard that scrunch sound! lol Yea, first time using a fluid head, and i love it so far :) Great review, really helped understanding how to use it.

Great in depth video...I may buy this one. Would on use a quick release plate attached to their DSLR or go direct to the long plate that comes with the head...I'd like to use a quick release if possible for a run and gun situation....Thanks...Philip

the self leveling bit - is that just the counterbalance feature with no load on? ie: if you put a DSLR on it, does it still try to self level or will it hold the position?

awesome clear and precise easy to understand and follow gr8 job keep it up

Hideous T-shirt though an excellent video...clear, precise and detailed with first-class narration.

Great video! I'm at a loss as to what sort of tripod bag to use with this though. I have to detach it from the tripod whenever I transport it? It's rather difficult to get on and off the tripod for some reason.

Thank you for a great review. This will be my upgrade from Amazon Basics fluid video head...

I bought one a few month ago in 2018. I am happy with my purchase.

Very informative! Thank you

Good review. I've been thinking about this head. I have an old 501, but the only problem is that when the tilt lock is engaged, the head will settle afterwards. The pan locking knob tends to move the head slightly when locked. This makes it hard to precisely frame a shot with a long lens. Do these things happen with this head? Thanks, Jack.

Great video! I ust bought this head for filiming planes. You filmed the plane landing, v smooth indeed. what tension level of panning did you use ?

GREAT REVIEW..the leveling bubble seams to be in a place where you cant get your head right over the top of it to see it properly. Is this the case.?

I just bought it and I must say, it’s impressive indeed.

Great review, looking to replace a tripod I bought this year which I am not happy with. What tripod legs did you pair with the video head please?

Well cone. Informative, well organized and concise. Thanks

Great review! Thank you.

3:28 "So I had a full day to play around with the head" Quarantine description right there.

Thanks for the review. Is it possible to use a Manfrotto video head on a different brand monopod?

Nice review. I have a question, do you know how to remove this head from an tripod ? I'm having terrible difficult time removing the head from an tripod to use with an slider. Please help!

Nice video, extremely detailed man. Thanks for the info. Question, not sure if this was asked but what tripod was it mounted on? That sound may be due to where it's made. I thought they were all manufactured in Italy.

Great presentation! Slow and easy.

Awesome review. Thanks!

Wow! Your panning is on the airplane is supremely smooth! I was trying to achieve that effect using a Manfrotto 700RC2, and the result is not even close to as smooth as yours. Not to detract from your technique, but do you feel the 502 makes smooth panning easier than the 700 (or other lesser grade heads)?

That shield in the background looks amazing, where did you get it???

Great review, thanks!!

Great information! Thank you

Thanks for your review! I'm wondering how i can test this video head (I just bought from Amazon Warehouse) without a tripod with me.... Right now, i observed that the red drag ring only turns 90 degree and not more than that. Is it NORMAL when it's not the video head is not connected to a tripod?

where you got cap. america shield?

Awesome review video!

I've also noticed the weird sound that the tilt knob makes. Any idea if this is normal or something that is a documented issue? I'm having trouble finding information about it online. I'm wondering if I got a bad unit, or if this is what I should expect... Thanks for the video!

Hi nice video, please suggest what type of tripods are compatible with this? which you are using or is best for photography and video both and that I can use with 502 AH?

Very good review. Thanks. What is your tripod model using in the review? I'am considering to buy the 502H head but I'm not sure wich tripod to get. I think of the Manfrotto 290Dual to pair with the 502AH head. Do yo think this is a good conbination? To use with the Sony HXR-NX100 Camcorder. Thanks in advance.

Very good review.

Very nice review. Thanks

this is great review

Just received this fluid head in the post, the pan fluid drag system appears to be stuck and I cannot twist, any ideas on how to release?

I am looking at this model now. I was at a camera store today seeing how they handled. haha. how much did you get your for?

Hi! I own a MVH502AH and MVM500A Manfrotto heads. Which quick release plate recommendation would you have for my situation? Apart from my tripod and monopod would be nice too to swipe my camera between slider/glidecam. Basically all my movement tools and just one small plate on the bottom of the camera. There's something like that in the market? Thank you so much!

So the TILT does not have 'memory to it' and isn't 'self leveling' per se. The head has a built in fixed COUNTERBALANCE of 4kg. What that fixed counterbalance means is that if your camera weights more than 4kg, then as you tilt it and let go, gravity will continue tilting the camera down. But in reverse, if the camera weights less than 4kg (as in your demo with 0kg on the head), then the counterbalance will rotate the camera back upward. Put a 4kg (@ 55mm center of gravity) camera on it and the tilt will stay perfectly where you leave it when you let go. To get that effect with a lighter camera (say a camcorder) one has to add weights to the camera/tripod head/plate to get it to the 4kg.

nice review.. how about the counter balance.. how does it work.. what does it do..

What do you think about this head for run and gun style shooting at a wedding? Is it too heavy? does it attach onto a monopod easy?

Did it make a creaking-clicking sound when it was tilted forwards and backwards? Many people have experienced it and returned it. Some say it is normal and depends on the room temperature. Did you or anyone else here experience the same problem?

Nice video man. Do you speak hovito like Belloq?

Great introduction video, thanks.

what head to buy? I think about 502 vs. sirui vh-10??

Hey! That's Toronto!!

Hi. I bought a used 502 and the red pan fluid adjustment ring is stuck on 0 resistance, not movable to add resistance. Any ideas on how I can get it functioning again? Hopefully something simple. Thanks.

Does this head mount on a monopod like the 560B-1?

anyone know if the diameter of this is same as the 055 series from Manfrotto? or will the diamater be bigger if I use it on a 190 series?