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Manfrotto 502 vs. 504

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snowisawesome
Posts: 447 - Karma: 76
Hey M&A I'm going to be upgrading my tripod setup.  Head and legs, the whole deal.  I am looking at either the 502 or the 504.  I was wondering if anyone had been able to work with either or these setups and preferably both.  I have a few questions about them before buying one.  It's always nice to save a few hundred bucks if possible.

-It appears the 504 is bigger but is the difference worth noting?  They look pretty similar in size but can't really tell.
-Any of the Manfrotto heads with the 75mm ball can be leveled without manipulating the tripod legs correct?
-How easy is it to set the counterbalance on the 502?  I know the 504 has the 4 stop knob on the right side which looks pretty sick.  Does the 502 have the same feature?  I would assume so but wanted clarification.

Thanks guys!
May 27 2012 8:05PM
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snowisawesome
Posts: 447 - Karma: 76
I also will be purchasing a slider soon so the 4 step counterbalance system on the 504 may come in handy.  Yes/No?
May 27 2012 8:18PM
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Bmo.
Posts: 4907 - Karma: 2,667
what are you upgrading from? the 701hdv? or like a cheapo?
May 27 2012 9:20PM
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123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
have you considered a sachtler ace? they are just over $500, which is between the price the 502 and 504 kits, and they can use the 501pl plates (same as 701hdv, 501hdv etc.)
May 27 2012 10:07PM
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snowisawesome
Posts: 447 - Karma: 76
Ya I'm upgrading from a cheapo.  The legs are great but it's a Vanguard and I don't think the 75mm head will adapt to those legs.  I film quite a bit of hunting on the fly so I really want one of these tripod heads that you can loosen and level on the fly without dicking around with the legs.  And no I haven't looked at the Ace.
May 28 2012 12:20AM
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123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
2 things

1. you can buy leveling bases if you don't have a bowl

2. you can bet an adapter to use a bowl head if your legs are flat top

either way though, you probably want a smoother head and more stable legs
May 28 2012 11:58AM
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1337
Posts: 31054 - Karma: 29,234
at that price you should look into something other than manfrotto
May 28 2012 9:13PM
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snowisawesome
Posts: 447 - Karma: 76
What should I be looking at?  I'm just beginning to look at tripod/tripod heads so any info is helpful.  I know Manfrotto and Sachtler are nice and I kind of know what I'd want from both but other than that I'm sorta in the dark I guess.
May 29 2012 1:21AM
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TravelsTI
Posts: 1000 - Karma: 353
I just bought the 502 and love it, the counter balancing is much easier to use and can hold quite a bit of weight. The also has adjusting pressure as well to get very smooth pans. Reccommend it.
May 29 2012 1:37AM
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123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
it all depends on what you want to spend. Sachtler makes great stuff, but so do miller, cartoni, etc. It all depends on what you are looking for (function, price, size, etc.)
May 29 2012 1:58AM
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