Benro S6 Pro vs Manfrotto 504X

[@1zymn1]

Manfrotto might make good legs, but I think they have a serious quality control issue with their heads. I have got two of the 502s off of Amazon, the first one had the pan tension ring completely stuck, and replacement had air in the tilt tension and made popping sounds. Returning that one today and going to wait for a deal on the Benro.

[@brandinh9736]

I have been very happy with my Benro. Got to use it pretty hard for a week recently and performed very well

[@1zymn1]

@@brandinh9736 That's definitely the way I'm heading, I especially like the counter-balance adjustment. The 502's lack of that was disappointing me.

[@brandinh9736]

@@1zymn1 Totally agree. The lack of counter balance on the 502 compared to everything else on the Benro S6 won me over. Good product for the price.

[@ThatMartinezGuy]

Nobody else on KZbin has done these comparisons. (I've scoured KZbin looking for comparisons). Thanks for taking the time to make this and for helping me make an informed purchase decision. Does the Benro S6 Pro have the same level of panning functionality/quality when compared to the Manfrotto 502AH? (I'm looking to take a video head into the field too and size/weight are also a big factor for me). I'm willing to put up with more weight for better quality footage. Are the end resulting pans indiscernible between the two?

[@christianong6205]

MVH502AH and Benro S6 Pro are both around 6-7kg payload and is a valid comparison, but 504X comparison is a bit out of place. 504X is caters to the higher-end and is designed for heavier cam setups @ 12kg payload. 504X doesnt come with the battery slot for the bubble level attached, it's usually packed separately and can be found in the pouch together with the sliding plate, cheers.

[@brandinh9736]

Thank you for the feedback. I tried to note that in my package that the lighted bubble piece was not in my box. It appeared to be a returned item based on what I mentioned in the review. I my reviews I was trying to more algin the product features, such as counter balance, as opposed to the weight loads. I am not a camera junky but was just giving my feedback from my personal experience when searching for a new camera head. And to my counterbalance was a key feature that separated the 504 and 6S from the others I had checked out. I do appreciate the feedback and hope the video was at least some use to you.

[@stanyduh5427]

502 compares more to S6 and 504X S8 to me

[@nndoorgaans]

Very instructive video. Thank you very much!

[@chatterjeevideos]

Very helpful. Thanks

[@VilkanVisions]

Thanks that was helpful :)

[@african7498]

Hi Brandon, Will Goodlet from South Africa and other you tubers all say the Benro slips? I want to like it but that would be a problem. Your's still holding tight and not tilting forward?

[@brandinh9736]

This far mine is still holding tight. I may not use mine as often as others. Mine gets used mainly in the spring and then stored for most the year. Not sure how much of a factor that is.

[@headshotke]

Interesting, bit surprised you didn't try the s8pro also?

[@brandinh9736]

I debated on trying out the s8pro as well but it was a fair amount heavier than the s6 which was already on the heavier side for my usage. Though I would be curious to see what functional difference there is between the two

[@clivebushnell8428]

Hi Brandin, I've seen a couple of reviews of the larger S8 pro, which show that the tilt still moves when locked. Does the S6 pro do the same? I'm planning to use this for photo stills, so the lock is important when not panning. Thanks, Clive

[@brandinh9736]

I brought mine out just now to test it before I commented. The tilt on mine is rock solid once the knob is tightened. I use a fairly heavy video camera setup and there is no movement at all. I can only speak to the head I have in hand, but the tilt and pan lock in very well on mine. Hope that helps!

[@clivebushnell8428]

@@brandinh9736 Thanks very much Brandin. That is really helpful.

[@VilkanVisions]

I still can't decide between s6pro and mn502ah, I heard some opinions that benro head has some play and can't be locked 100%, can you say something about that? Is it still loose after locking or people exaggerate?

[@brandinh9736]

I can only speak for the head that I have and it locks in just fine. This far I have been very happy with the Benro S6 Pro. I returned the 502 so I don't have much to say on the long-term. If splitting hairs, and you don't need counterbalance adjustment, then the 502 might have a slight advantage on performance. But very close in my opinion.

[@VilkanVisions]

@@brandinh9736 what I like about benro option is that it comes with cool legs aero 7 and they looks great for traveling, only thing stoping me for buying was those opinions about fluid head being too loose, but maybe it's not that big issue if you don't have problems

[@VilkanVisions]

@@brandinh9736 one more question, is quick release system on benro works with mn501pl plates?

[@brandinh9736]

@@VilkanVisions It does appear to work with all of "standard" plates. I used the same plate from my Manfrotto BeFree which worked on all of the heads I tested.

[@VilkanVisions]

@@brandinh9736 ok thanks for info 🙂

[@KARLOSVOLTA]

Hello, I have a quick question, I purchased Thai head 3 months ago from B&H and I have use it in about 4 or 5 shoots, today I set up my tripod and I realize there was a sticky grease on the ring that control the Pan as well on the carrying bag. Is this normal to sometimes leaks or mine head is broken ?

[@brandinh9736]

Sounds like you have something malfunctioning. I have not had that issue with any of the fluid heads I have used....

[@KARLOSVOLTA]

@@brandinh9736 thank you

[@cartmanbruh23]

thnx for the video! which one would you recommend for sliders?

[@brandinh9736]

Unfortunately I have not had any experience with sliders so I would not be able to provide much input there....

[@costashaniaalejpoly]

hello,nice video ! if size is not a matter which head you would recommend? 502 or s6pro ? i am only interesting on which one produces the smoothest footage, thank you very much !

[@brandinh9736]

If you remove size, location of controls and counterbalance adjustment from the equation, go with the 502. Personally I found the fluidity of both heads to be extremely comparable but maybe the slightest of edge to the Manfrotto. For me the other features gave the Benro the nod given that they performed so closely in their smoothness of motion. You will not be disappointed in either head!!!

[@costashaniaalejpoly]

@@brandinh9736 thanks for the fast reply ! last question, how critical/important will be the counterbalance adjustment feature of the s6pro for a dslr user who only mounts the camera,lens and a microphone...? lets say maximum 2-2.5 kg. Is it essential for light setups or not at all....? thank you very much

[@brandinh9736]

@@costashaniaalejpoly If you are using a light setup like you described and filming where you can use both hands, my assessment would be that the counterbalance is less of concern. Since I film a lot on handed get the perfect balance for my setup is pretty key. With the drag tension on the 502, you should be able to find a good balance for your setup. Counterbalance would be much more important on heavier camera setups. Hope this helps!

[@costashaniaalejpoly]

@@brandinh9736 thank you very much ! much apreciated

[@shashiranjan5430]

Hello.. Thanx for ur video. Which one will be sturdier between the two in extreem zoom conditions. Manfrotto 502 or benro s6. Looking for a sturdy head for nikon p1000 because it has a serious zoom. Please help.. Thank U.

[@brandinh9736]

Personally I think the tripod you select is going to make more of an impact on stability with zoom than the camera head. The Benro S6 is slightly lighter in weight and the 502 is built on a wider frame. Both are rock solid when you lock in the tilt/pan. I guess if I had to choose for this task, I might slightly lean towards the 502.

[@shashiranjan5430]

@@brandinh9736 thanx for ur quick response.. 👍

[@bryanh.642]

@Brandin, what are the dimensions of the 504x and the s6pro ? Thanks

[@brandinh9736]

I sent my 504 back so I don't have it handy to get specs off it. Sure you can find them online. The 6SPro is 6" wide at the widest point on the two control knobs, stands 4" tall, and is 5" long from the blue plate release button to the front. Weight wise the Benro is 3.8 lbs and 504 is 4.4 lbs per online search. Hope that helps!

[@m.sabir21]

Sound quality of this video is very poor, i scarcely able to hear at full volume.

[@brandinh9736]

Thanks for the feedback. It plays fine on my phone and computer but have heard from others that the audit is not great. I have been trying to figure out what the deal is with it. Appreciate the feedback

[@fphrigian8183]

Please fix the audio!

[@brandinh9736]

What is wrong with the audio? I just listened to it on my phone and could not identify and issue. I will check on my computer as well to see if I can find the issue.

[@fphrigian8183]

@@brandinh9736 much louder on the right side

[@brandinh9736]

@@fphrigian8183 Thank you. I will check into it and try to figure out what caused that to happen!

[@fphrigian8183]

@@brandinh9736 Thanks for the review though. It was very helpful 🙏

[@TomFewchuk]

@@brandinh9736 And audio is peaking / distorted a fair amount. Again good review, but test that out next time

[@Pharesm]

You see, with the quality control its like this: If they don't beat their Chinese factory slaves enough, they will be slow. If they beat them too much, quality control suffers. Think of the middle management, trying to handle the balance. Its not easy. Americans and Europeans used to manufacture things - until capitalists figured out, that they can save money if they overlook minor ethics issues and use forced and/or poorly paid Asian labor. Fast forward a few decades and all the American, Italian, Swedish, German, French Brands are either manufactured in China or they are already Chinese owned. You may have just one more Year to buy these Chinese products for cheap, before the table on currencies is turned, and the Chinese use the stuff themselves instead of exporting it to you / us. I'd prefer if I was wrong, but I'm afraid, I'm not.

[@african7498]

Spare us your political rant - we discussing fluid heads

[@dibi2503]

You are too far, can't see the details of the heads. Next time get closer, without detail you just bla-bla-bla too much.

[@dibi2503]

Of corse I will. Things that you need to learn, in a tutorial about a product, you need to focus on that item. I used to do live tutorials and ask everybody to get closer. Don't show your room or yourself, you not in a classroom, move the camera closer, forget about your beautiful murals. Show has to be the relation not the location.