It's a fact, not all cameras weigh the same. Some mini DV cameras may weigh only a 1 kg while professional grade DV cameras can weigh up to of 10 kg. Professionals have as many equipment options as they do shooting styles, utilizing a wide range of different cameras including MINI DV, DVCAM, HD, ENG. When using numerous accessories, many of these setups can quickly overload video heads above the maximum recommended weight. Understanding the problem that professional Videographers face, Manfrotto has developed the 519, a compact, yet heavy duty fluid video head capable of accommodating a counterbalance payload from 1,5 kg up to 9 kg. This is a revolutionary breakthrough from Manfrotto, as the 519 is the only video head on the market encompassing both interchangeable and adjustable counter-balance springs. Combining both features will allow Videographers to easily interchange a vast array of cameras of various weights as well as quickly fine tune the perfect balance point of whatever camera being used, all with just one head! In addition, fluid drag is easily controlled with a large click-stop numbered knob in seven increments. Drag can be adjusted from the highest possible setting to nearly zero drag, allowing for the finest control through 360º pan and +90º to -90º tilt.
Features
- Tilt friction + lock knobs; all on the left side
- this head features a secondary security lock so you can't accidentally release the plate (and camera) without meaning to. The lock stops the quick release lever from opening fully.
- a repositionable ratchet means that the locking lever's action will never be blocked either open or closed by interference with the camera body, tripod shoulder, etc... simply pull the lever outwards and it's free to be positioned more comfortably without affecting the locking mehanism. Then you can continue tightening or loosening the knob.
- thanks to the repositionable camera plate, this can be used right- or left-handed. Photographers are normally forced to be right-handed by the position of the shutter release button, but the advantage of this system even to right-handed users is that you can keep one hand on the grip to control framing position and switch rapidly between portrait and landscape settings, while the other hand stays on the camera, ready to shoot even with the head in movement. Keeping both hands positioned like this gives you greater control over panning or tracking shots.
- level of counterbalance given by either of the two springs supplied is adjustable, giving even greater control over the head's perfomance with different weights of camera equipment
- counterbalance spring is interchangeable to suit different weights of equipment - the blue spring has a maximum load of 5kg, while the yellow spring counterbalances up to 9kg
- internal counterbalance spring helps to offset the camera's tendency to drop forwards or backwards more rapidly when tilted, thereby giving you more control over movement and more stable support against the camera's weight tipping the head and tripod over if left inadvertantly unlocked.
- fluid heads are so-called because movement on the axis of rotation is regulated by an internal cartridge containing a viscous oil. The fluid offers a certain amount of resistance against movement, thereby smoothing out any unwanted jarring or shake that would otherwise be transfered to the camera.
- adjustable drag for fine control over head movements
- pan bar "rosettes" (toothed discs which fit between the head and the pan bar) are replaceable - if repeated use wears away the teeth and reduces the grip between the pan bar and head, simply substitute the rosette
- telescopic pan bar extends to give more leverage for smoother movements or can be used shorter in tighter spaces
