Manfrotto128RC Micro Fluid Head with 200PL 14 RC2 Rapid Connector Plate

Well-built and sturdy, while still being reasonably compact and light weight. The quick-release head snaps in and out very positively, and is really outstanding. Pan and tilt are both smooth, and function very well when partially locked for controlled motion, like for a spotting scope. I like it a lot.The pan lock is awkwardly located, and the quick-release head has no way to attach another element. Otherwise this is a clear five-star.

I bought this head to be able to take long-distance photos with precise positioning. It works much better than the ball head I had been using, which was so annoying. I haven’t used it for action shots yet, but I think it works be good for that too.

Have been on fast track learning about tripods. Am doing multiple video interviews with Sony 4K videocam. The camera itself is relatively light and I have been of a mind that a mid-price, mid-weight tripod is all I need. Since I do a lot of panning in the process, I have come to realize that having a smooth panning head on the tripod is critical to the quality of the video. Most of the the tripod heads I have encountered have plastic to plastic moving surfaces, or at best (or sometimes worst) plastic to metal interfaces. I have broken several down and attempted to come up with a fluid smooth action using silicone grease. That helps but the result is still not the action I need. In addition, panning with a lighter tripod can result in the tripod being moved during the process. So what to do. I have a big Bogen/Manfrotto tripod with a good DSLR head that is unfortunately not set up for panning. The recent May-June 2016 Audubon Society magazine has the 2016 Audubon Photography Awards, but in addition has a section on tips for smarter photos and specifically recommends the Manfrotto 128 RC tripod head for its smooth panning. So I went ahead and ordered one. I like bargains and try to find quality for less, but sometimes the adage "You get what you pay for." rings true. The Manfrotto head is simply high quality. It is well designed and well executed in exemplary Italian fashion. Even the camera quick release plate exudes quality as it clicks into place. The panning function is ultra smooth and the tripod itself plants like a rock. It goes out in the field tomorrow for another video but I am certain it will come through with flying colors. You may be able to pick up a used Manfrotto aluminum legged tripod at a thrift store or garage sale since the carbon fiber ones are now the rage. Hopefully, you might even find one with the 128 RC panning head. But if you don't, I can highly recommend this one. You won't be sorry because you bought the best, and the extra bucks spent will soon fade from memory. And you'll never need to think about whether or not you need a better panning head. Learn from my experience. You can thank me later.

Edit-a few months later on. I raised my rating a bit after using it a lot.If I had to do it over again I would get the LP model with the 1/4" screw mount and install a good Arca Swiss screw clamp and a permanently attached AS plate on my head.Does the job but not as precise and solid as the bigger 500AH series. Attachment plate is the weak link . Guess I'm spoiled with Arca Swiss plates like on my Kirk ball head. Still the attachment is easy and there is a lock for the lever.I'm using this on an 80mm Swarovski spotting scope and the plate does feel a bit small on the big scope and I should have gone for a larger head with a longer bigger mounting plate. The anti twist pin is plastic and snapped off quick so In order to get the anti twist to work I ran a 6mm x 1 tap in the hole that the anti twist pin was. Then used a shorty round head screw in it's place so now no twisting.That said the head does do a GREAT job with a spotting scope and a so so job with a heavy telephoto. Still it's better than hand holding a heavy tele and it makes a great back up for my 3 series Gitzo.Tilt and pan are acceptably smooth and if I had not used the 500 would not have know how good a fluid head should be. Still does a good job with a scope.Best part is the light weight and low price. I'm using it on a Series 1 Basalt Gitzo tripod so it makes a nice light strong combo.

I purchased this tripod head to use with my 85mm spotting scope for birding. The head meets all of my expectations and needs. The pan and tilt action is perfectly smooth, the panning arm is adjustable to your exact preferences, and the quick release plate and mechanism is very secure. The only downside I can think of is the weight and total height of the head. While the metal construction is incredibly solid, it does make for a heavier head and its height means it may be difficult to fit into luggage or carrying case while still attached to the tripod. Overall, I am extremely satisfied and would purchase again.

I am very pleased with this addition to my Bogen / Manfrotto lineup. It mounted right to my 25+ year old Bogen 3020 tripod and 681 monopod w base, another reviewer said he needed an adaptor. I primarily got this head to use with my spotting scope but I will also be using it with my Nikon D80 and 7000. It is very well made, the exception is my other RC2's are all metal, this release lever is plastic, similar to the release tabs on my tri and monopod. It does however have the locking spur to keep from accidentally releasing the RC2 which is missing on some other heads. I would rather see Manfrotto not scrimp and make this out of metal also. It pans and tilts as smoothe as butter, another reviewer said it was too tight but loosened up with time, mine is great. Another reviewer said it tipped on him and he thought his camera was top heavy. My D80 with a 70-210 / 18-108 / 18-200; and the heavy Tokina 12-24 showed no signs of drift or tipping. I also like the ease that the pan arm can be rapidly removed. This will make it much easier to get in my Manfrotto bag for storage and transportation. For $75.00 and change; with free shipping and a $10.00 rebate; if you ever wanted a fluid head now is the time to get one. Another winner from Manfrotto...........

Bought this after a lot of research and review reading. I needed a head for both photography and video work that would fit on my Coman monopod that has "feet". I use a "footed" monopod because I can't get close to a traditional tripod with my powerchair and a monopod will either sit on my footplate or be very close to my chair with the feet extended on the ground.It was recommended that I get a "fluid head" and actually saw a demo of one of these during a lecture/workshop session at university, plus it was being used with a micro four thirds camera.So, trying this out with my OM-D EM-1 and my Pen EPL-7 I am very impressed. Panning is very, very smooth, no jerks or wobbles, I was able to move vertically, horizontally and diagonally with absolute ease. It fits my Coman Monopod perfectly and packs away into the superb padded Coman bag....Coman gear comes complete with bags, pity Coman heads are hard to find.Why only 4 stars? I felt I had to deduct a star for build quality. With Manfrotto I expect the very highest standards and while all the metal parts on this head are flawless, the plastic knobs are not very well finished and, well, they are plastic.....I would expect them to be made to the same high standard as the rest of this head.....and not so "plastic" and without any rough bits.I might add further comments after shooting a few videos with this.

This is a review for the Manfrotto Micro Fluid Video Head with QR plate.I ordered this with the 055XPROB tripod legs. Both arrived the the same outer carton. The Manfrotto box is business-like and suitable for purpose. This head is actually quite bulky despite the 'micro' moniker and well suited to DSLRs with zoom lenses.The tilt and pan is smooth with no kick-back or jerks and can easily be adjusted through the screws at the sides. I was initially disappointed with the smoothness of the pan/tilt when filming but soon discovered this was a hardware fault at my computer's end, my ageing Mac not handling 1080i footage well. In fact, once adjusted to the weight of the lens being used the pan and tilt are beautifully smooth.The quick-release plate is very good, being just the right size to fit my 550D without fouling the battery drawer. You will need to remove a small plastic peg to allow the plate to be screwed to a smaller DSLR. Handily, the quick release also features a quick attach feature. Once the brass locking lever is set open and the QR plate released, the main release lever stays open until the plate is re-inserted, snapping shut and securing the camera with a minimum of fuss. I particularly like this feature.Time will tell if I decide to upgrade in a few years, but I have no hesitation in recommending this head to those with the need for semi-pro feel with professional build and quality on a budget.

When I first used my EOS 7D to film video I used the tripod head I got with my Manfrotto tripod but I soon found that it was hopeless for panning. I then tried a monopod but although it turned out slightly better for panning it wasn't nearly stable enough and wavered a lot. I decided that a fluid head was what I needed and found this one for sale on Amazon with the bonus that the price had been reduced for £89 to £59! I have used the Manfrotto 128 mini video fluid head on my Manfrotto 294 tripod and results are 100% better. Now I can pan left to right zooming the camera lens out whilst tilting it slightly downwards without any problems so I can recommend this head without hesitation. The only comment I have is that setting the head up is not the same as a pan and tilt head as the tripod itself must be set up level.

As you would expect from Manfrotto this is built well and does the job it is made for. Pity it doesn't have a built in level, so if you are using it on a tripod without a levelling device then you need to attach a level to the camera. I have a levelling head that fits all my tripods so not a problem for me.With small camcorders and small dSLR's it works really well. The movements are both smooth although, for whatever reason, Manfrotto have made the tilt slightly stiffer than the pan, which can be awkward until you are used to it. It also seems to freeze up a bit quicker in the very cold weather than my other heads, perhaps due to the small size, means less liquid and therefore quicker to start to freeze (I am no physicist so this may be nonsense!)I have used it with smaller dSLR cameras such as a Lumix GH-1 with a small lens and a microphone all mounted and the set up works well. Wouldn't want to try it with a big dSLR and a long lens.....I think you would need to step up to a larger head for anything bigger than either a digi cam or a dSLR with a smallish lens. But then, that is what it is built for.Used carefully with the right gear it can give as good results as spending a lot of cash and it is light and small for carrying around (compared to standard Pan and Tilt heads).Overall I would say it is worthwhile and as there are no competitors in this price range that come near it for quality it is a must have for those shooting video with small cameras.I would have given it 5 stars had it had a built in level as I would assume most users of this head are not going to have a levelling head for their tripod and may have no level at all.

My grading is based upon my use of this item as a relative novice. I decided to expand my portfolio from stills photography (of which I would class myself as quite well versed in using a tripod), so bought this video head to put onto my trusty Manfrotto tripod. I have only used a Legria/Vixia G30 with it so not really tested it with any 'real' weight or off-centre weight such as my DSLR with 70-200 IS lens. I must say I am very impressed. The pan and tilt is incredibly smooth - no sticking when overcoming friction. The locking nuts are easily accessible (yet to try it in the cold with gloves though). I have found the ability to rotate the controlling arm in its socket to be very handy - I position it downwards to control the head if I am using the camera screen and I position it with the end pointing outwards rather than downwards if I want to lean in and put my eye to the viewer rather than use the camera's screen (in sunlight). Indeed, I push the controlling arm into my shoulder in this scenario and use my body to perform the panning action which is convenient. Unlike my stills camera Manfrotto head, this one allows a neater 'fold' for storage - i.e. you can tilt the camera platform fully skyward which affords the controlling arm the ability to come to rest alongside and in parallel with the closed tripod legs. The locking mechanism for quick release and attachment is of the standard you would expect for a Manfrotto. The only niggle I have with this video head though is the lack of bubble level to assist with ensuring a flat panning action. I have set up level using the view finder, only to end up with a 'skew-iff' traverse. As I say, I am a rookie though! If your tripod does not have its own bubble level, it might be worth investing in one of those cheapy ones that slides into your hot shoe mount. Overall, I am very pleased with this item and would recommend it for those looking for an entry level video head to put on a decent tripod.