Manfrotto MVH500A Fluid Video Head with Flat Base User Manual
- June 9, 2024
- Manfrotto
Table of Contents
INSTRUCTIONS
MVH500AH
MVH500A
MVH500A Fluid Video Head with Flat Base
INTRODUCTION
Lightweight fluid head ideal for video cameras up to 5kg/11lbs (balancing 2,4kg/5.3lbs).
KEY FEATURES
- Quick release plate with secondary security and anti-rotation pin
- Sliding top plate for camera balancing
- Fluid Pan and tilt movements with locking knobs
- Bubble spirit level
- Built-in balance spring to help to support the camera’s weight
- Model MVH500AH – tripod attachment via flat plate with 3/8” female thread
- Model MVH500A – tripod attachment via 60mm half-ball
SET UP 1
The head is supplied with the pan bar “A” dismantled. It can be mounted to the
either side of the head by screwing knob “D” into hole “E” or “F” on the head.
MOUNTING THE HEAD ON A TRIPOD
Model MVH500A 2
The head can be mounted on any tripod with a 60mm diameter bowl:
– place the head into the tripod bowl so the male thread comes out below the
bowl
– screw grip “H” onto the male thread until it’s resting up against the bowl.
Do not tighten it
– holding grip “H” to adjust inclination, level the tripod head using the
spirit level “C” (fig. 1) as a reference
– tighten grip “H” fully to lock the head in place on the tripod.
Model MVH500AH 3
The head can be mounted on any tripod with a flat plate and 3/8” male thread.
Screw the head on to the tripod using the 3/8” female thread “W” (fig. 3) The
top plate on Manfrotto tripods has three set screws “B” which should be
tightened against the base of the head to ensure effective and secure locking.
REMOVING THE QUICK RELEASE PLATE FROM THE HEAD 4
Loosen lever “M” (fig 1), then hold it pressed downwards. Quick release plate
“L” is extracted from the top of the head (it doesn’t slide out of the head
like other Manfrotto video plates): turn it so that the long edge of the plate
closest to lever “M” lifts out of the head, then remove the plate altogether.
FITTING THE QUICK RELEASE PLATE TO A CAMCORDER 5 & 6
The quick release plate (fig. 5) has a 1/4” camera screw “K”, a 3/8” camera
screw “S”, a rubber cap “AF” and an anti-rotation pin “P”. All are supplied
unmounted.
Check the size of the tripod attachment hole on your camcorder, and select the
correct screw “K” or “S” to fit to the quick release plate (fig. 5).
If the camcorder also has an anti-rotation hole, insert the anti-rotation pin
“P” into the plate as shown in figure 5. Align the camera on plate “L”
ensuring the pin “P” is seated correctly in the camera before fastening the
plate.
Fix the camcorder onto plate “L” (fig. 6) by tightening screw “K” or “S” into
the camcorder’s threaded hole. You can use a coin to tighten the screw, but
WITHOUT APPLYING FORCE.
If the camcorder doesn’t have an anti-rotation hole, align the camcorder lens
with the arrow marked “LENS” on the underside of camera plate “L” before
tightening fully.
ATTACHING THE CAMERA TO THE HEAD 7
Hold the camcorder above the head, and angle it so that plate “L” slots into
the head, with the long edge furthest from lever “M” dropping in first. Then
push down so that the plate drops in fully, and lever “M” clicks shut.
BALANCING THE CAMERA ON THE HEAD 8
To find the balance point for the camcorder:
– level the head on the tripod using spirit level “C” (fig. 1) as a reference
– loosen lever “U” (fig. 8)
– slide the camcorder backwards and forwards until you find the position in
which the head remains still with the camera level
– lock lever “U”
Note: The head has a built-in balance spring to help to support the
camera. The head can support camera loads up to 5kg (11 lbs), but the balance
spring is set for more common configurations and has a balance power
corresponding to a camera load of 2.4kg (5.3lb).
REMOVING THE CAMCORDER FROM THE HEAD 9
Whenever the camcorder needs to be removed from the head, hold the camcorder
securely in one hand and turn and press locking lever “M” with the other hand
to release the plate and camera.
USING THE HEAD 1
The head has 360° pan and +90° / -70° vertical tilt. Movement and rotation of
the head are controlled using the pan bar “A” (fig. 1).
Pan movements can be locked using knob “V” (fig. 1).
Tilt movement can be locked using knob “U” (fig. 1).
The head is supplied with a bubble spirit level “C” for levelling (fig. 1).
ATTACHING ACCESSORIES 10
The head has one 3/8” female thread “Z” (fig. 10) which can be used to attach
accessories, such as Manfrotto arms that can in turn support lights, monitors,
etc.
Please note: fitting additional accessories may mean you have to adjust the
head’s balance settings.
Copyright © 2013 Manfrotto Bassano Italy