Manfrotto 504 User manual

The Manfrotto 504 tripod is the main tripod used from 2nd year into
post graduate study.
The C100 cameras, Panasonic 101 cameras, Blackmagic cinema
camera and the Sony FS5 camera all use this tripod.
This tutorial will go over the basics of what each part of the tripod is
and does and how to pack it properly in order to not damage it.
Manfrotto 504 Tripod quick guide

Button on back
This toggle loosens
the arm grip
allowing you to
move it to a
comfortable
position.
When packing
away let the arm
fall downwards by
loosening here,
don’t force the
arm down as this
will damage the
head.
The tension ring on the bottom
increases and decreases the
tension on the pan movement.
The toggle on the side unlocks the plate which
can then be slid out by pressing the button on
the back.
The plate also slides on and off from the back.
This toggle loosens or
locks the tilt of the
tripod. The head should
always be flat and in a
neutral position when
put away or not in use.
The tension ring on the
side increases and
decreases the tension
on the tilt movement.
This toggle loosens or locks
the pan movement of the
tripod.
The screw handle beneath the legs and
head can be loosened to change the
levelling of the head. You can check to see
if the head is straight with the spirit level.
Spirit level at the back.

There are 6 tightening locks down the legs
in total. Each can be loosened to extend the
height of the tripod. The tripod has a
maximum height of around 165cm tall.
You can open out the locks by pulling on
the side or close them by pushing down.
At the base of the legs are a
set of spreaders. Loosening
the screws allows you to
open these spreaders out.
Loosening the toggle on the arm allows
you to increase or decrease the arm’s
length to a more comfortable position.
To remove the tripod
from the spreader, pull
up on the rubber clip on
the spreader and then
push it down over the
foot. You should then be
able to release the foot.
The 504 head has a counterbalance
system, located on the side here. Shifting
this toggle activates or deactivates the
spring inside the head and increase the
strength of the counterbalancing.

Top of bag (head end)
Bottom of bag (feet end)
Tripod heads are naturally
heavier than their legs. Because
of this many of the bags are
offset slightly so that they lean
more towards the legs. This is a
counterbalancing design and
means, when held, the bag
should rest perfectly straight.
One easy way to work out if the
tripod is the right way up is to
stand both the bag and tripod
upright. The bags naturally have
a bottom section where the feet
of the tripod will go. Simply put
the standing tripod into the bag
feet first and then zip it up.
The 504 head uses a spring as part of the counterbalance system.
These springs are vulnerable to stretching and breaking. For this
reason, tripod heads should be stored away flat and not tilted up or
down.
Reminder, when lowering the arm, make sure you undo the
tightening toggle, this will loosen it and it should just flop down. DO
NOT force the arm down as this may damage the spring.
Tripods, like all pieces of equipment, need to be packed in a certain
way so that our tripods are protected, and you are comfortable
carrying them. When packing away use the locks on the legs
collapse the tripod down and bring the legs together.
With the legs together
pull the elastic clip out
and round. Going from
one leg, over the second
and clipping to the third.