Trying to be penny wise, did I become pound foolish? (purchased manfrotto head)

I picked up this head while it was on sale:

http://www.amazon.com …o00_s00_i00?ie=​UTF8&psc=1

I mainly do still photography and saw the head was on sale and thought it seems like a good deal because I can also try doing video with it. Being new to this, did I make a mistake?

Also, would this head work with pretty much any set of tripod legs or only manfrotto? Because now I am looking for legs around $100-150.

Thanks

Most tripods have a screw that is either 3/8" or 1/4", and that matches up to the corresponding hole in the base of the tripod head.

The Manfrotto 502 Video Head appears to have a 3/8" hole in the base, so any tripod with the same size screw should be fine (which is most of them).

Yup, the head will mount to other tripods, doesn't have to be Manfrotto. I just got a Benro A2970F tripod, http://www.adorama.com …PKr3_aOg74CFaLm​7Aod90wAEQ. It's $154 and I'm very happy with it. It's solid and has an articulating center column which comes in handy for macro and table top work. It's well worth the money, IMHO.

My example is from a monopod but its similar. All tripods have 3/8 or 1/4. It's simply either flipping the base screw plate over (3/8 on one side and 1/4 on the other) as shown below

Try it, then you'll know if it works for you.

From the photo in the listing it does not appear that the top section can be flipped to use the camera in portrait mode. This will make it inconvenient to use for still photography.

I too picked up one of those heads on sale. I have a selection of other heads and was more interested in a video head with possibility of other functionality.
It is a great head/deal if you got it on sale and with rebate - but that said it may not serve your needs as well as a similarly priced ball head.
AS mentioned above - it will not allow you to shoot in portrait position and it is certainly a lot larger and heavier than an appropriately sized ball head. It may get in your way a little due to the assortment of adjustments and locks compared to a ball head with one or two.
It will fit other tripods without issue - just use the 3/8" screw (or adapter). Give it a try - worst case you can return it or resell it (you will surely get your money back with interest).

Thank you for the advice everyone.

Yeah, this is definitely a lot bigger than I pictured. I will try it out and see how it works for me. For $85 it seems like a real bargain.

Now, time to buy a set of legs.

hang your cross wrote in post #16866039
I picked up this head while it was on sale:

http://www.amazon.com …o00_s00_i00?ie=​UTF8&psc=1

I mainly do still photography and saw the head was on sale and thought it seems like a good deal because I can also try doing video with it. Being new to this, did I make a mistake?

Also, would this head work with pretty much any set of tripod legs or only manfrotto? Because now I am looking for legs around $100-150.

Thanks

Wait!!!! You got it for $85!!!!!! If you don't want it, please contact me instead of returning it. I will buy it.

$135 before rebate, and there is a $50 one through manfrotto I have to send in.

hang your cross wrote in post #16868799
$135 before rebate, and there is a $50 one through manfrotto I have to send in.

That's absolutely incredible for that fluid head. Wow.

1KIND wrote in post #16866739
My example is from a monopod but its similar. All tripods have 3/8 or 1/4. It's simply either flipping the base screw plate over (3/8 on one side and 1/4 on the other) as shown below

<snip>

That's not true. You can say that most modern tripods made today adhere to the 3/8" or 1/4" standard, but definitely not all. This is especially true if you find older tripods.

klr.b wrote in post #16868980
That's not true. You can say that most modern tripods made today adhere to the 3/8" or 1/4" standard, but definitely not all. This is especially true if you find older tripods.

True but I don't think OP or anyone would be being older tripods.

Any tripods that I can pick up from Best Buy that would be recommended?

http://www.bestbuy.com …tegory=&seeAll=​&gf=y&cp=1

I do have a $200 in credit and would like to keep it under $300.

I see MK294C3-D3RC2 is at $275 and has a photo head as well. Anything that might be a better option?

Well, I ordered this since it was $250 before certificates.

http://www.bestbuy.com …t=MK294C3-A0RC2&cp=1&lp=1