Manfrotto MVH500A Fluid Video Head with Flat Base User Manual

: June 9, 2024
: Manfrotto

Table of Contents

MVH500A Fluid Video Head with Flat Base
INTRODUCTION
MOUNTING THE HEAD ON A TRIPOD
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INSTRUCTIONS
MVH500AH
MVH500A Manfrotto MVH500A Fluid Video Head with Flat Base
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MVH500A Fluid Video Head with Flat Base

Manfrotto MVH500A Fluid Video Head with Flat Base - 1

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.