Thank you - you are my hero today! I've had that exact tripod and head for a couple of years, purchased of course ecause of quick setup on uneven ground. BUT, from DAY ONE, any long sweeping pans simply would not stay level. So weird! Until your video here, I had not figured out what was wrong. One of the three allen screws was slightly uneven with the other two all along. GOT IT! Set all three to the exact protrusion to match a thickness of a piece of metal I had handy, then reassembled everything. THANKS so much, my smart friend.
Thank you for this video. I was almost about to buy a new tripod because I did not think I could mount a slider on my half ball head. Thanks to this video I was able to remove the 3 screws and separate the head from the half ball so that I can mount the slider on top. Thanks so much!
Thank you!!! For the past month, everytime I would do some serious panning, the head would unscrew and I couldn't figure out what was happening and kept tightening the bottom handle to no avail. Had no idea the allen screws were loose and one fell off. Thanks for making this!
Thanks Jimmy. On the Manfrotto 502AH, the half bowl adaptor unscrews by only loosening the small grub screws (- head on this head, not Alun). The half bowl then unscrews, but I did find a need to tighten the video head first. It then simply unscrews. Definitely no need to take the main bolt out on this head. I just bought a used one with half bowl attached and figure the previous owner thought it was glued on and took some might to shift. But that's all it was. I totally agree with you though - nothing in photography or video should involve a hammer! People should exercise common sense as so many idiots who hand out advice which is simply wrong, as you say!
Hello I recently purchased a Manfrotto MVT535HH Alu single Leg High Hat it’s a 60 0r 75 mm ball mount what Manfrotto video head will work 2. Question I’m noticing there are many flat mount heads is there a adapter for making it compatible with a flat mount video head
I don't have a #504, but unfortunately I believe the ball is part of the video head and cannot be removed. Maybe someone who has a #504 could let us know for sure.
Hi Jimmy, Great Video. I am interested in attempting this on my 502 so that i could potentially mount in on a slider to go in between the head and the ball base. do you have any recommendations / cautions on doing this ? Many thanks
I haven't mounted my 502 on a slider yet, so this is a guess. Do the same steps to your slider that I did to the video head. Thread the all thread into the bottom of the slider, run the nut down tight, slide the half ball onto the all thread, run the nut down snug, tighten the three screws and you should be good. Again, I am only guessing because I have not mounted my 502 to a slider. There should be a stud on the slider for your video head mount. However from what I have seen, you would want to use two stands. One at each end of the slider to keep the slider from moving when you get to the ends of it. Hope this helps.
@@vidcreations Thank you for response! Very much appreciated. I shall give it a try, again great video! been looking for an in-depth tutorial like this for ages as i have being hesitant to mess with the ball base. Nervous of breaking it aha. but feel confident from having watched your tutorial :D
@@vidcreations thats great news. thank you! do you have a video of that by any chance? if not, i am sure many people would love to see it since its a popular head, and almost all the reviews on amazon say it can't be separated.
Thank you - you are my hero today!
I've had that exact tripod and head for a couple of years, purchased of course ecause of quick setup on uneven ground. BUT, from DAY ONE, any long sweeping pans simply would not stay level. So weird! Until your video here, I had not figured out what was wrong. One of the three allen screws was slightly uneven with the other two all along. GOT IT! Set all three to the exact protrusion to match a thickness of a piece of metal I had handy, then reassembled everything. THANKS so much, my smart friend.
Glad I could help.
@@vidcreations thanks
Thank you for this video. I was almost about to buy a new tripod because I did not think I could mount a slider on my half ball head. Thanks to this video I was able to remove the 3 screws and separate the head from the half ball so that I can mount the slider on top. Thanks so much!
Glad I could help.
Thank you!!! For the past month, everytime I would do some serious panning, the head would unscrew and I couldn't figure out what was happening and kept tightening the bottom handle to no avail. Had no idea the allen screws were loose and one fell off. Thanks for making this!
Your Welcome
Thanks Jimmy. On the Manfrotto 502AH, the half bowl adaptor unscrews by only loosening the small grub screws (- head on this head, not Alun). The half bowl then unscrews, but I did find a need to tighten the video head first. It then simply unscrews. Definitely no need to take the main bolt out on this head. I just bought a used one with half bowl attached and figure the previous owner thought it was glued on and took some might to shift. But that's all it was. I totally agree with you though - nothing in photography or video should involve a hammer! People should exercise common sense as so many idiots who hand out advice which is simply wrong, as you say!
extremely useful information!! I was trying to figure out how to remove the ball from my Sachtler fsb8 head, and was going to use a spanner!!
I'm glad the video helped you.
Hello I recently purchased a Manfrotto MVT535HH Alu single Leg High Hat it’s a 60 0r 75 mm ball mount what Manfrotto video head will work 2. Question I’m noticing there are many flat mount heads is there a adapter for making it compatible with a flat mount video head
Please advise how to remove bottom half ball from Model #504 ?
I don't have a #504, but unfortunately I believe the ball is part of the video head and cannot be removed. Maybe someone who has a #504 could let us know for sure.
Anyone ever do this for Miller Air? It doesn't have those Allen wrench screws and I need to take the ball off to insert new bubble level.
Nice info, and just as relevant today!
Thank you.
My new tripie arrived without instructions. Your info its very util THANKSSS !!!
Your welcome.
My head and tripod are not like that. The 3 set screws are out and it still wont budge. there is no nut underneath
Thank you so much. You literally saved me from a buying a new tripod
Glad I could help.
Excellent review..
I have a question, Does manfrotto 502AH head,work with 60mm half ball ? Or just with 75mm
Thank you
The 502 has 3/8" threads in the head. Any mount with 3/8" threads will work. There is also a thread insert that will reduce 3/8" to 1/4" if needed.
Jimmy Mecannic
Thank you
You are a life saver and thankyou.
You're welcome.
Hi Jimmy,
Great Video. I am interested in attempting this on my 502 so that i could potentially mount in on a slider to go in between the head and the ball base. do you have any recommendations / cautions on doing this ?
Many thanks
I haven't mounted my 502 on a slider yet, so this is a guess. Do the same steps to your slider that I did to the video head. Thread the all thread into the bottom of the slider, run the nut down tight, slide the half ball onto the all thread, run the nut down snug, tighten the three screws and you should be good. Again, I am only guessing because I have not mounted my 502 to a slider. There should be a stud on the slider for your video head mount. However from what I have seen, you would want to use two stands. One at each end of the slider to keep the slider from moving when you get to the ends of it. Hope this helps.
@@vidcreations Thank you for response! Very much appreciated. I shall give it a try, again great video! been looking for an in-depth tutorial like this for ages as i have being hesitant to mess with the ball base. Nervous of breaking it aha. but feel confident from having watched your tutorial :D
How do I find out the bowl size of my video tripod, thanks.
You measure the diameter of your half ball in millimeters, like I point to at 00:35 in the video.
Nice Video! Do you know if a Manfrotto MVH502A Half Ball Head can be separated like that as well to have a flat base in case I needed for versatility?
Yes it can.
@@vidcreations thats great news. thank you! do you have a video of that by any chance? if not, i am sure many people would love to see it since its a popular head, and almost all the reviews on amazon say it can't be separated.
I should have said it looks like it can. I looked at some video of the head, and I have a 502AH. Please do more research. Don't just take my word.
Oh, I did lots of research and can't find a clear answer. OK, thanks anyway
@@Serge0329 did you find out if its possible?
I would have undone the screws all the way. I think I'll just keep things assembled. I can see myself dropping and tossing screws.
If you decide to remove the ball head, hopefully this will help if you need it.
Very informative. You're very articulate and speak clearly.
What exact model of tripod head are you using?
Davis and Sanford FM 18, glad you like the video.
Awsome video!!! Thank you for the info!!
Great video very informative and useful, bravo! Thank you
Your welcome.
this is like the only video on the planet explaining this
Hope it helped you.
Hey man, you saved my life... and my wallet!!! greetings from México!!!
Glad I could help.
thank you once again.
Sorry for the late reply, you're welcome.
good video. very informative. thank you.
Glad you liked it.
Very helpful
Glad it helped you.
Thanks dude! :) That helped a lot.
Great! Glad I could help.
very informative thanks
Glad you liked it.
Exactly what I needed!
Glad I could help.
THANK YOU SIR you even used the tripod I use...thank you
I hope it helped you.
thank you!!!!
Glad you liked it.
Thanks!
Hope it helped you out.
Thanks bro
Not a problem.
👍🏾🙏🏾