Manfrotto’s compact 500 is the newest model in the Bridging Technology™ fluid video head family.

Gentec International announces the newest and most compact head in Manfrotto’s Bridging Technology™ range of professional fluid video heads, all designed to deliver smoother shooting, better balance, and more precise movement. The entry-level 500 is a lightweight head with a pre-set counterbalance of 2.4 kilograms, but it is able to support equipment up to 5 kilograms. The 500 provides superior camera support and balance thanks to the Bridging Technology™ structure that features a wider platform and more travel for the sliding plate to accommodate the latest HDSLR cameras and interchangeable lenses. Professional fluid cartridges on both pan and tilt axes ensure smooth, controlled, and precise camera movements. The advanced slide lock system allows fast, easy, and secure camera attachment and removal without the need for a secondary safety lock to keep the camera secure. The camera and quick-release plate simply click into the head from above, instead of needing to be aligned and inserted from the back. The side lock system also makes it faster and easier to lift the camera out of the head. The 500 includes one Easy Link 3/8” connector to allow an external monitor or other accessory equipment to be attached. The 500 Fluid Video Head is available with a 60-millimetre half-ball base (MVH500A) or a flat base (MVH500AH) with suggested retail prices of $229.95 and $199.95, respectively. The 500 Fluid Video Head is also available in tripod kits that each include a padded carrying case. The MVK500AM kit includes the MVH500A head and the MVT502AM aluminium twin-leg tripod with mid-spreader; the suggested retail price is $529.95. The MVK500C kit combines the MVH500A head with Manfrotto’s 535 carbon fibre tripod for a suggested retail price of $899.95. The 500AH755CX kit adds the MVH500AH head to the 755CX3 carbon fibre tripod at a suggested retail price of $799.95, and the 500AH755XB kit offers the MVH500AH head with the 755XB aluminium tripod for a suggested retail price of $579.95. The MVH500A head will also be supplied in a special kit (MVM500A) with Manfrotto’s patented fluid monopod at a suggested retail price of $419.95. All products will be available in Canada at the end of April.