A fluid head to match: Manfrotto MVH500AH.

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My "retro" tripods had taught me that I needed a much better head than their ancient pan and tilt examples. They provided the ability to move a telescope or camera about but only crudely. With little finesse and far too much backlash. If you backed off any of the locks then the telescope just flopped over in that direction. 

There was no "half way" tightened where the friction was enough to allow a smooth movement. It was locked solid or nothing. Or completely floppy. With nothing [much] in between. Trying to move the telescope to point to a slightly different place and it jerked, overshot and completely lost the plot. Trying to follow a duck paddling steadily across the pond was an absolute nightmare!

It would be a real pain to use and make smooth video through the telescope almost impossible. None of these heads would transfer to the Manfrotto. Which was probably a good thing. More online homework later and I discovered fluid video heads. 

More particularly the Manfrotto 500 series. Each in the series more complex and certainly heavier than the last as the price per/lb, rises to match. I chose the simplest and lightest 500 model. If it was good enough for an internationally acclaimed wildlife photographer it was [probably] just good enough for me!

The Manfrotto 500 head, once fitted to the matching tripod is a revelation after decades of using the decades old pan-and-tilt heads in my rapidly aging collection. It is as smooth as one could desire and easily adjusted to provide any level of increased friction desired.

A preset counterbalancing force is provided if required. I found it best to adjust the extra long, sliding dovetail plate to balance the telescope. Stops are provided to prevent the telescope dovetail escaping the head's quick release clamp. A really sturdy and satisfying purchase for telescope use. It is light years ahead of my older kit.

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