The Manfrotto HDV 501 for the price is a very attractive option for videographers, run-and-gun filmmakers, and photographers.  It supports up to 13.2 lbs which is in the weight class of many of our favorite cameras including the XH-A1, EX1, HVX, and Z1U.  With the average weight of these cameras coming in at about 6 lbs, it yields for incredible motion and control with this head.  35mm adapters like the Letus Extreme, Redrock M2, Brevis35, or SGBlade all average about 6 pounds, so you are still under the weight limit with even a heavily accessorized setup. 

The pan and tilt action of this head is smooth and predictable.  The controls are conveniently located were you would expect them.  The tension for the pan is below the camera plate and the tilt tension is to the side.  Both locks are located in the back for quick access.  The camera plate is sturdy and locks in place with a release button and is secured firmly with a standard lock opposite the release.  It includes two standard sized mounting screws and has a lock pin to avoid any rotation of the camera plate to the camera base.

With the advent of the palm HD camcorder and the video ability of newer DSLR cameras, these smaller pan and tilt heads will probably become a standard for many shooters in the near future.  Most of us are used to a very large, extremely expensive tripod for ENG type cameras.  The 501 HDV is a wonderful alternative to these bulky setups that usually end up being overkill.  And, for the photographer shooting video with cameras like the D90, it steps them up to a tripod that weighs about the same as their normal non-pan-tilt tripods.  Overall, if the 501 HDV is on a sturdy “sticks”, it is a solid solution for many in the industry.