What’s in a name? When I saw the name Magnus REX, I could not wait to see what it had to offer! After a through evaluation, let’s see if it lives up to its powerful name.
The Magnus REX FBVH-500 is packed with features. Right out of the box you can feel the weight of the heavy duty flat base video head. With a load capacity of 15 pounds and accessory attachment points, the professional videographer has plenty of room for a microphone and monitor.
My current video head, the Manfrotto 3126, is at least 20 years old. It surprises me what we get accustomed to. Having the opportunity to review the Magnus REX FBVH-500 changed how I feel about video heads.
Note: B&H Photo/Video sent me the Magnus REX FBVH-500 to review and keep. However, this is a completely independent review. All thoughts about this video head are my own.
Pros
- Smooth fluid panning
- Smooth fluid tilting
- Spring loaded counterbalance and floats back to center from tilting
- Easy camera mounting with quick release plate
- Tension knobs easy to use and adjust
- Lock screws have a flat and/or wing knob and are easy to turn
- Handle can be mounted left or right
- Handle length is adjustable from 13.5″ to 22”
- Quick release lock holds camera on base; easy to release
Cons
- In all honesty, I did not find anything with this video head that I did not like
Magnus REX FBVH-500 — Technical Specifications
All technical specifications are from B&H Photo/Video.
Camera Plate
Camera Plate Features: Quick release sliding balance plate
Camera Mounting Screw: 1 x 1/4″ 20 Male; 1 x 3/8″ 16 Male
Balance Plate Sliding Range: 3.2” /8.2 cm
Safety Lock: Yes
Plate Dimensions: 4.7 x 2 x 0.5” /11.9 x 5 x 1.3 cm
Head
Base Mount: 3/8″ 16 Female
Counter Balance: Fixed
Pan Handle Fittings: 2 x Rosette
Bubble Level: 1
Accessory Mounting: 1 x 1/4″ 20 female thread; 1 x 3/8″ 16 female thread
Pan and Tilt
Drag Control: Continuous
Drag Type: Fluid
Vertical Tilt: +90° to -80°
Independent Pan Lock: Yes
Independent Tilt Lock: Yes
General
Load Capacity: 15 lbs./6.8 kg
Weight: 4.56 lbs./2.07 kg
Packaging Info
Packaging Weight: 5.215 lbs.
Packaging dimensions: 15.3 x 7.7 x 7.3”
Magnus REX FBVH-500 — Ergonomics and build quality
Red quick release lock button is easily accessible, wing type locking screw for handle adjustment. Toggle for tilt tension easy grasp
On left the wing type pan lock screw is easy to grasp; pan tension knob is accessible on the rear of video head
Tilt lock is on the right side of video head. Balance plate locking flat locking screw above the tilt lock
Front close up of flat base with lock (red locking screw) and on the left a plate grip that locks in with a flat turn screw on the left.
When I received the Magnus REX FBVH-500, the first thing I noticed was the size and weight of the box. Upon opening the box, the video head had a very solid feel. I put the pan handle on the left because my camera controls are on the right side of the camera. This was a big plus for the Magnus REX FBVH-500, to be able to put the handle on either side.
The locking screws for the balance plate, pan handle, and pan lock were all flat head or wing type screws. This made grasping the locks easy. The pan lock is a quarter turn to release and a quarter turn to lock. The balance plate is also a quarter turn to lock and unlock. The pan handle lock turns until you can pull it out from the cogs enough to adjust the angle you want. The handle also has a wing type release to lengthen or shorten the handle. Once mounted to the camera, the balance plate is very easy to attach to the video head. You slide the balance plate into the base and once you hear the click, you know it is securely attached, just turn the locking screw to hold it tight.
Magnus REX FBVH-500 — In the field
The balance plate comes with two attachment screws
Top view of the attachment screws. A rubber cap can be opened to remove one of the screws
My Panasonic AG-UX90 can accept either size mounting screw
One of the mounting screws was removed before mounting to camera
The video head has two accessory ports
You can also use the accessory port to store your extra balance head screw
The camera mounted on the video head
Mounting the Magnus REX FBVH-500 to my Manfrotto 055XPROB (discontinued) tripod was an easy choice. The tripod is heavy duty and easily supports the weight of the video head. The Magnus REX had a good fit and felt secure on the tripod.
The Magnus REX FBVH-500 is easy to use and control. Adjusting the tension knobs enabled me to have looser controls. It never got away from me. The tension knobs were intuitively located making them easy to find and make quick changes.
The fluid motion is incredible. The spring loaded counterbalance prevents the Magnus REX FBVH-500 from jerking, or falling forward when the locks are released. The panning and tilting are smooth with just enough resistance to prevent quick unintentional movements. I could pan and tilt with finger tip control. The counter balance worked well with my Panasonic AG-UX90 (4.2 pounds) attached.
I could operate all of my camera controls with my right hand while panning and tilting with my left.
Magnus REX FBVH-500 — Final Thoughts
The Magnus REX FBVH-500 is ideal for the professional videographer. It is a solid piece of gear that holds up to 15 pounds. Perfect for adding a monitor or a microphone, or both. For my use, I wish I had this one years ago! The Magnus REX FBVH-500 definitely beats my Manfrotto 3126 in all controls. The video head holds steady and has great fluid motion. I could not find anything I did not like about the Magnus REX FBVH-500. The flat base video head retails for $229.00 and the current price at B&H Photo/Video is $169.00
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