Questions about fluid video heads and tripod combos

Hello,

I have a Gitzo GT3541LS systematic tripod that I use with my 5DMKII and Markins ball head for photography right now.
I'm wanting to start dipping into doing some video using these legs and a new fluid video head but I'm not sure what I need to get.

I'm going to assume I'll remove the Markins ball head, and then I'll just have this flat tripod where the fluid head will go.
The Manfrotto 502HD looks flat and might just go right on there and I'd be done? But what if I went with the 504HD it appears to have a different setup?
My plan is to just get some still video for my kids YouTube channel where they will just discuss and show off toys and video games.
There may be a few pan and tilts etc, and I also plan to eventually buy a Cinevate Duzi camera slider for some cool product shots etc.

So based on these two video heads or maybe something similar, what would I need to go with these legs I currently own? I don't think I need to invest in new tripod legs as these seem very capable?
I mean I suppose if the fluid video head came with some legs of its own and was reasonably priced, I'd consider it and just have a still camera setup and my video setup.

But I'm just curious what else I might need with this GT3541LS tripod, do I need to put a leveling base on? I know this tripod is a systematic and has other features with addons etc, do I need to use/get any of that?

Thanks for any advice.

For your non-professional purposes, your current tripod is just fine and 502HD. I have a very similar set up and very happy with it.

SYS wrote in post #17848685
For your non-professional purposes, your current tripod is just fine and 502HD. I have a very similar set up and very happy with it.

Ok and so was I correct that I won't need anything extra, this 502HD will just mount on my current tripod find and give me some smooth video pans?

Do you know the main difference in the 502HD and 504HD?

My guess is that if you just found a way to extend the arms on your tripod, it would give you enough control to "just get some still video for my kids".
But for trying to keep up with kids, googling camera stabilizer found this: DIY $13 Camera Stabilizer

PhotosGuy wrote in post #17848743
My guess is that if you just found a way to extend the arms on your tripod, it would give you enough control to "just get some still video for my kids".
But for trying to keep up with kids, googling camera stabilizer found this: DIY $13 Camera Stabilizer

Yeah I don't need the stabilizer, they just want to sit at a table and do video reviews of toys and I want to review tech gadgets and gear etc. So its just a single frame.
But I want to use the tilt and pans to get cool product shots of the toys and tech gear etc...so thats why I want the fluid head.

ChrisMc73 wrote in post #17848690
Ok and so was I correct that I won't need anything extra, this 502HD will just mount on my current tripod find and give me some smooth video pans?

Do you know the main difference in the 502HD and 504HD?

Yes, that's all you need as long as the screw on your tripod and the hole on the 502HD fit. I have the earlier version of the 502HD, and I'm very happy with it, so I don't see any justification for paying $400+ for the 504HD. Other than that, I don't know the difference, but you can get that info easily from Amazon.com or BH Photo site.

I'm in a similar scenario, got a cheapo Yuteng YT-950. Aside from the leaking grease and crap build, I think it'll serve it's purposes. The trick with these chinese crap is that they usually leak grease, so you tighten all the knobs, leave overnight, and use some oil and rag to clean off the excess grease. The panning is good, smooth. By all means, buy the manfrotto if you've got the budget. I was dabbing with 4K, so I'll likely do more videos, and the YT was cheap enough to experiment. FWIW, I have my tripod head setup as a leveling base, attached a nodal rail so I can still have an arca swiss attachment.

The main difference between the 502 and the 504 head is that the 502 will mount directly to a flat base tripod (like the one that you have) and the 504 won't.

Video tripods usually come with a "bowl" or "socket" and the head has the opposite "ball" attachment.

The head attaches to the legs by friction and by slackening the ball you can easily level the tripod head in all directions so that it remains level when panning.

Using the 502 head, you have to level the camera by making adjustments to the legs and this can sometimes be tricky and time consuming to do.

I have just recently purchased the dedicated video Manfrotto 546BK Video Tripod With 504HD Head having previously worked with a flat base fluid head and I must say that the difference is night and day when it comes to ease of use and also stability.