Manfrotto 234RC Monopod Tilt Head with Quick Release, Black

Excellent, keeps weight down on my monopod ,so much better than other heads I was using as it’s so simple ,

The head works exactly as advertised. I use a heavy lens on a monopod, and just need a tilt mechanism - this head perfectly fits the bill. BUT, and its a big BUT -> My lens foot is 5" long and Arca Swiss compatible, but with thus head, you must use the supplied attachment - I point to the reason in the image I shared. As I'm a somewhat infrequent user, it's not a big deal. If I used it more often, I'd get something else, where my existing lens foot could fit without the additional attachment. This, by the way, has just one attachment screw and I need to remove the end security screw from my lens foot. As such, an inconvenience I can do without were I to use this more often.

Used this was a Manfrotto 680B 4 Section Monopod Black and they go well together. Compared to the price of some other monopods and heads this system is relatively cheap, yet I reckon I'd have to be very brutal to need anything more study than these two combined.Specifically the head - quick release system but never feels like there is a risk of you accidentally releasing the head and letting the camera fall, even when using a super-tele lens that adds a lot more weight to the front. Feels sturdy throughout and can tell high quality design. Allows free movement of my camera or more rigidity depending on demands at the time.Also has the added benefit of giving my camera a little more height when on the monopod meaning I'm not maxing out my monopod's height to get the camera at eye level (and hence if I'm aiming my lens skyward towards objects above eye level I have that little bit extra so I can have my camera above my eye level).

You don't need a head for a monopod, just fasten the camera to it using the tripod screw and it will work. Two issues though, 1) that takes time, is inconvenient if you are on the move and 2) with the camera screwed to the monopod, you can only use it in landscape mode.This head is specially designed for monopods and provides the only two functions you need; a quick release plate and the facility to tilt the camera from landscape to portrait. All the other movements are done by tilting the monopod sideways and backwards and forwards. A pan and tilt or ball head are just overkill and simply add more weight.The only downside to adding this head to your monopod is that it does add weight. However, like all Manfrotto equipment, this is beautifully engineered to last. It is reassuringly solid when you have a few thousand pounds worth of heavy camera/lens attached to it.

Home video footage is often spoiled by hand shake. Ideally all video should be taken using a tripod but where this is impractical, a monopod is much better than nothing. This head is strong and holds the quick release plate in a lockable grip. It will tilt forwards and backwards but not sideways. Sideways tilting can be done by moving the monopod.The head is quite heavy considering its size but this helps to keep the camera stable. I have used the head for 2 years and would not be without it and my Manfrotto 790B monopod (current version Manfrotto MMC3-01 Compact Monopod - Black). A very good buy.

Typical Manfrotto build quality, will last an eternity, will lock into position or slacken it off slightly for a suprisingly fluid feel, plus it uses the Manfrotto 200PL plate, this means it it easily used on other Manfrotto heads using their RC2 system.Only criticism would be movement is restricted to up or down or left ot right (depending on how you fit the plate to the camera base), this is OK on a monopod but too restrictive for most applications on a tripod.To be perfectly honest, a ball head is far more useable, quicker to adjust and just easier to use.I wish I had saved my money and purchased the 494/496RC2 instead.Bottom line is it's very good at what it does, if you have a use for it.

Value for money. Good quality

Quality is as good as it gets, not to heavy to carry about on a monopod though.