Manfrotto Video Support Equipment

Designing supports for video cameras means finding a graceful balance between stillness and movement freedom and control.

Our range of video tripods, heads, monopods, arms, remote controls and accessories is growing steadily and is sure to provide you with exactly that balance.

We have rock-solid tripods for heavy ENG setups and lightweight, easy-to-carry models for compact Micro DV and Mini DV cameras, fluid heads to let you track, frame and lock on to your subject, video monopods and hydrostatic arms to get you into and out of tight corners with quality footage, remote control units to put total command of the camera and lens at your fingertips even when the camera and lens are out of arm’s reach, and every accessory we could think of to help you get your job done as comfortably and professionally as possible.

FREEDOM WHEN YOU WANT IT, CONTROL WHEN YOU NEED IT

Manfrotto Video Heads

Our two-way “pan & tilt” heads for video cover a range of camera equipment from Micro DV through Mini DV up to professional ENG DV-Cams and HDV.
All heads are built to be used “open” with movements unlocked, with a range of friction and counterbalance systems to help regulate the weight shift of mounted equipment during pan and tilt movements.
Head features such as fluid cartridges (which provide resistance to jarring and shake transmitted from the operator to the camera via the pan bar) keep camera motion as controlled and smooth as possible.

WHY FLUID HEAD?
Manfrotto’s “pan & tilt movement” technology used for its complete range of semi-professional and professional video head is based on a system of cartridges filled with a specific “silicone fluid”.
This technology provide the smooth and constant movement behaviour, needed to achieve “shake free” images while panning and tilting during all type of video shooting sessions.

WHAT DO WE MEAN BY LOAD CAPACITY?
This is a technical specifi cation that sometime has been confused with the counterbalance load capacity of our heads so we feel is important to draw a distinction.
The value we claim as the “load capacity” refers to the capability of the head locking brakes to hold the weight of the camera at any tilt or pan angles needed to lock the camcorder in position.

WHAT DO WE MEAN BY COUNTERBALANCE?
Counterbalance is achieved using a system of springs inside the head, which help to keep the camera from rolling forwards or backwards under its own weight when the video head is tilted.
This system facilitates the cameraman to achieve smoother tilt movements.
Manfrotto Video heads are supplied depending on the models with fi xed or variable counterbalance spring.
When is fixed the spring is set to a specific counterbalance weight while when variable the spring can be adjusted in order to operate from a minimum to a maximum value.

MANFROTTO DRAG SYSTEM
Manfrotto drag technology provide accurate camera control in all conditions.
Depending on the models of heads it is possible to choose between fi xed and continuous adjustment.
The fixed drag provides a constant friction action.
The continuous drag adjustment allows you to select the level of drag you need and to work the way you choose, rather than having to select from predetermined levels as with stepped drag systems.
This solution do not oblige you to accept compromise on rapid and repeatable set-up but will help you to achieve always perfect framing and control.

MANFROTTO INTERCHANGEABLE SLIDING PLATES
All Manfrotto heads are equipped with sliding and interchangeable camera plates.
The possibility to adjust the camera plate by sliding it allows balancing the camera on the head and reducing to the minimum the effort while tilting it forward and backward.
The interchangeable mechanism let replace the camera with another one very fast or after having remove it from the head, to hold it with your hands, mount it on a monopod, a crane or, a shoulder mount system by using the universal quick release mount adapter.
Plate sliding movement instead ensure that the camera load be accurately balance above the head.

Manfrotto Video Tripods

Traditionally, video tripods have double leg tubes which though thin, give the tripod more structural resistance to twisting and torsion.
This is vital when using heavy video cameras with pan and tilt heads. Without this extra reinforcement every pan movement risks bringing unwanted juddering and shake into your shoot.
We offer a range of double-tube tripods in strong aluminum alloy and in extra-rigid, lightweight carbon fiber for video equipment up to ENG requirements.
For the new generation of ever-shrinking Mini DV and Micro DV cameras which are light enough not to require an over-performing tripod we developed the MDeVe family of hybrid photo/video tripods.
These have the lighter, more compact single leg tube structure of the photo tripod combined with the levelling half-ball of the video support allowing perfectly horizontal pans.

WHAT IS THE TORSION RIGIDITY
Maximum torsion rigidity is the fi rst feature all Videographers want from their video tripod.
A professional video tripod has to provide a rock solid base insensible to the mechanical stress induced by the tilt and pan movement that makes the tripod not stable enough for a smooth in motion shooting session.
Last but not least the weight, the max and minimum working height are important factor too, which needs to be taken in serious consideration while choosing your video tripod.
Manfrotto has been the fi rst manufacturer in the world that has placed side by side to the traditional twin leg design video tripod, a single leg tube concept which do not sacrifi ce the weight and working height of a tripod for its torsion rigidity performance.
The balance achieved with the MDEVE tripod and the traditional photographic design ones make now available the best tripod solution for the latest professional MINI DV and DV camcorder.

VIDEO TRIPODS LEGS STRUCTURE & MATERIALS
Video tripods can be divided into two groups based on their leg types: those with single legs throughout, and those with twin parallel legs in the top sections.
Most use circular profi le tubes, while the MDEVE series rapid center column and the carbon fiber legs of the the 755MF3 and 756MF3 use a three-faceted profile which helps to eliminate all unwanted rotation and which (in the case of carbon fi ber tripods) means that the legs can be clamped into the tripod top crown rather than glued in.

Manfrotto Video Remote Controls

Our video camera remote control units put the essential commands of market-leading video cameras from Sony, Canon and Panasonic at your fingertips.
Appropriate for use with a video tripod & head, monopod, Fig Rig, jib arm, crane or alternative support system.
Pan bar versions (which integrate directly with your video head) offer the advantage of allowing you to operate both camera movement and recording/zoom functions with the same hand without having to touch the camera itself; helping eliminate shake and unwanted vibration from your shooting.
Clamp versions reduce the number of buttons and controls to the bare minimum, but where you use them is limited only by your imagination.
They can be attached to anything from tubes, pipes, table tops, Fig Rigs, steering wheels, handlebars, hang-gliders or almost anything else.

Manfrotto Tripod Bags and Carrying Systems

A tripod is a wonderful thing.
Carrying one never has been... until now.

At Manfrotto, we know more than most about how the subject, so it was in our own interests as much as it was in yours to develop a complete range of carrying and transportation solutions designed around the one piece of photo or video kit that most bag manufacturers conveniently choose to ignore... our own beloved tripod.
With our new carrying systems, we’ve worked from the inside out to invent new contoured bag shapes that fi t your kit and offer convenient ways of setting up and breaking down faster, a “space pad” that lets you shoulder carry your tripod without risking bangs and bruises, an open backpack that keeps your hands free, your tripod protected and weight to a minimum.
Whether you want a handle or strap that doesn’t even have to be removed from your tripod when you set up a shoot, or whether you need a protective shell to get your kit safely through baggage hall hell, we’re pleased to say we’ve got the solution.
With innovative technical features, prime materials and first class construction methods, the quality of all our bags and carrying solutions is up to the high standards you expect from Manfrotto.