user3171: I've been considering whether to buy the 701HDV or the 502AH.
I've pretty much settled on the 502AH for its superior drag quality, but one thing a lot of people do not consider is the type of Quick Release (QR) plate they use.
The 701HDV and 501HDV both use the 501PL-type plate. The 502AH on the other hand uses 504PLONG plates, which are significantly bigger.
I have found out that you can use short plates on a "long" head by looking here, but I'm not sure if I can put long plates on a "short" head.
The reason I ask is that I have a few short plates left over from an older tripod that should fit in the 502AH, and if I buy a non-Manfrotto-branded QR adapter for something else, I can only find short plates.
So, can I use the long plate that comes with the 502AH with a short head or short QR adapter?
From looking at photos I can't see why not, but there's always a chance that it doesn't. Does anyone know for sure?

user21435: I have used the long plates on a shorter head.  Using it from a larger tripod on the monopod with no problems.

user5125: Yes this will work fine. Many people prefer the longer plates because it allows you to balance a long lens. 

3171: <p>I've been considering whether to buy the <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Manfrotto-701HDV-Professional-Fluid-Video/dp/B001D2LJ3Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1357331301&amp;sr=1-1" rel="nofollow">701HDV</a> or the <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Manfrotto-Pro-Fluid-Video-Neiger/dp/B006TZE0UQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1357331270&amp;sr=8-1" rel="nofollow">502AH</a>.</p>

<p>I've pretty much settled on the 502AH for its superior drag quality, but one thing a lot of people do not consider is the type of Quick Release (QR) plate they use.</p>

<p>The 701HDV and 501HDV both use the 501PL-type plate. The 502AH on the other hand uses 504PLONG plates, which are significantly bigger.</p>

<p>I have found out that you can use short plates on a "long" head by looking <a href="http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/tripod-sticks-heads/507616-manfrotto-long-short-plates.html" rel="nofollow">here</a>, but I'm not sure if I can put long plates on a "short" head.</p>

<p>The reason I ask is that I have a few short plates left over from an older tripod that <em>should</em> fit in the 502AH, and if I buy a <a href="http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk/eng/product/calumet_quick_release_video_head_adapter/ck9007" rel="nofollow">non-Manfrotto-branded QR adapter</a> for something else, I can only find short plates.</p>

<p>So, can I use the long plate that comes with the 502AH with a short head or short QR adapter?</p>

<p>From looking at photos I can't see why not, but there's always a chance that it doesn't. Does anyone know for sure?</p>
 21435: <p>I have used the long plates on a shorter head.  Using it from a larger tripod on the monopod with no problems.</p>
 5125: <p>Yes this will work fine. Many people prefer the longer plates because it allows you to balance a long lens. </p>
