I think the concept is pretty self explanatory. You're looking for a solid Video head with smooth movements for video, but you're also shooting stills and need the Vertical (portrait) position. Hybrid cameras require a Hybrid stabilizer. This new Manfrotto MH055M8-Q5 a.k.a 'Q5' Photo-Movie tripod head gives you the best of both worlds. It's a more professional video head designed to support a bit of weight, so it's not something for the average light weight point and shoot photo/video camera. But if you want to save on the amount of gear you travel with and still have professional results for both Photography and Cinema, it's something to consider (if you can get over the odd look).
Manfrotto Q5 Hybrid Photo-Movie Head
For you Amazon junkies it will be available via Prime Shipping below
Manfrotto Q5 Photo-Movie Head
albert
those pans/ tilts werent very flattering, i think i could have done better with my fancier 717
andrew
I can pan...... and tilt!!!!
Casey Ryan
My profs in film school would cringe at that, we are very heavily instructed not to do "unmotivated" camera movement, instead use a sequence, they tell us to "shoot and move". Now, when Manfrotto makes a tripod with a pop out 8ft dolly track and a J.L. Fisher dolly, I will be the first one to buy it. 😉
Dan Eckert
This thing is on my B&H wishlist
HD-tography
I wish I traveled that much to justify it, but who knows, maybe if I buy it I will get to travel more? LOL now that's thinking logically! NOT!
But seriously, if you're buying a fluid (or teflon) drag head, you are doing so for the precise fluidness of the pans/tilts... only an in depth review will determine if this provides the same or at least acceptable results... so it's still a ball head on top of the tried and tested fluid head for me (for now)... unless Emm convinces us otherwise, as usual 😀
I am undecided on the look as well...
Rabi
Am I wrong, or is that head he's using in the video not actually a 503HDV? It looks too big to me...
mikenovido
great… more stuff to buy
DigitalCyclops
I think the look is actually really sweet.
Alex
Its a nice idea i do like but put could you not just pick up a really right stuff L plate and have it do most of the same job.
That said this might be my next tripod head 😀
Alex
duncan
I simply mount a sunpak pistol grip ball head on top of my video head and have all the same capabilities.
utah commercial photographer
looks interesting. I saw this hybrid video/photo tripod head a while back. Would be nice to see a real life review of this item.