Manfrotto 234RC Monopod Head Quick Release - Replaces 3229

Electronics > Camera & Photo > Tripods & Monopods > Monopod Heads

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About this item

• Allows vertical photography from a monopod
• Built in quick release

Reviews

★★★★★

Verified Purchase

Manfrotto made in Italy! The good stuff.

I almost went for the inexpensive aftermarket QD head, which MIGHT be just as good or better at 1/3 the price. But we're using this equipment on serious jobs where equipment failure can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars if a shot is missed.
We're using Canon HF-G30's and HF G40's and they fit on the 234RC head beautifully. The Canon battery release is not blocked by the 234 assembly.

Mounted on the Manfrotto element monopod, it's a match like a hand-in-glove. Looks right, feels right, IS right.
I love the "D" ring under the QD plate. You don't need to bring out the Leatherman to cinch it down. The wire of the "D" ring is thick and sturdy.

Another really nice feature is the brass safety lock. When it's pointing back, the QD lever is locked by blocking the gray release lever with a 1/8" round brass pin. When you rotate the safety lock to the side, it cams the pin downward and there is an audible 'click' when the lock hits a ball detent. Very nice. Engaging the release lock by rotating counterclockwise, the pin rises under spring pressure and the spring keeps the pin engaged.

The thumb-tightening lever on the opposite side is indented concave to fit fingers. The mechanism locks down vertical movement tight.

Finally, the QD plate is easy to insert and, typical for Manfrotto, there is a pin on the left side that the plate pushes down on that will release the locking lever. Flick the brass safety pin back 90 degrees, and you're in business.

If you appreciate good stuff that works right and lasts a long time, I'm sure you'll like this.

★★★★★

Verified Purchase

Get this!

I've been a happy user of the Manfrotto 234 monopod head for a few years but I wanted to be able to switch between my tripod and monopod without having to remove the quick release plate to do so. I run the Manfrotto XPRO ball head and it uses the RC quick release system so this was a natural fit. I mainly use the monopod with my Sony A99 with vertical grip and Sigma 50-500 lens. It's a heavy combination and hard to hand hold steady and with this head on my monopod I get clearer shots with easy maneuverability. The quick release plate locks in securely and I've never been worried about it coming loose and dropping my gear on the ground, once it's latched it won't move without flipping the release lever. I run the pivot point where it's just loose enough to allow easy vertical panning but not so loose everything just flops around, that allows me to recompose my shot if necessary without grabbing for knobs and cussing when I had it screwed down too tight and missed the moment I wanted to capture.

A monopod head is required to do a proper stance and have everything locked in position. You want the monopod at a slight angle in front of you and without the head the lens would be pointing up... this allows a sturdy position and still be able to frame the shot how you want it.

I did receive an open package and can only guess that it was a return. The head still looked brand new and all of the parts and pieces were there so no real complaints. I don't know why anyone would return this head, it's a quality product and necessary for proper use of the one legged wonder. Their loss!

★★★★★

Verified Purchase

Excellent Monopod head

I'm extremely pleased with this quick release head. I got it to go on my new Sirui P326 monopod, and it is definitely preferable to using a ball head. I wanted it to use with my super zoom shooting at the moon, and for birds in the trees. The vertical tilt is all I need because the monopod can be moved around as needed in the other direction and it seems much more solid than trying to secure a ball head. Very nicely made, and I am partial to the quick release type plate system. Very easy to attach and remove, and secure once it's in place without twisting knobs. Pricey but worth it.

★★★★★

Verified Purchase

Only had it a few days, but it's giving me confidence that it's well designed and built.

I purchased this for a Manfrotto monopod. It's a well designed and well built head unit. The quick release appears good too. The small metal safety catch is a nice touch.
I haven't tried it in the field yet, but so far it's giving me confidence that it will be good for my travel photography and for use at big dog shows.
It needs to support a Canon 70D, 18-200 zoom and motor drive (which is a reasonable weight) and it appears to do so well.

★★★★★

Verified Purchase

Great choice for use with a monopod

Solid, well made QR head that should last forever. Using it with my Sirui monopod and it does the job perfectly.

★★★★★

Verified Purchase

Excellent Monopod Head

Very nice head. There is no detectable movement on the head and monopole when depressing the shutter release, ulike less expensive brands. Using with the Sigma 120-400 mm lens on a Pentax K3 on top of a Sirui P-326 monopod. The camera and lens is a rather heavy combo. I have been using it for bird photography at a state park and walk with the pole over my shoulder while walking and this head holds it well. It is also relatively easy to use while wearing winter gloves. To me the quality exceeds the price.

Sigma 120-400 mm:  Sigma 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 AF APO DG HSM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Pentax Digital SLR Cameras
Surui P-326:  SIRUI P-326 6 Section Carbon Fiber Monopod

One person found this helpful

Helpful

★★★★★

Verified Purchase

sturdy and is indeed a quick release

I used this on top of a new Manfrotto monopod. I have another Manfrotto head on a tripod so I already use the plate locking system for my camera and telephoto lenses. Using the same system here is a plus for me.

The Manfrotto quick release head is secure, sturdy and is indeed a quick release. It's a no-brainer if you already use their plate system on your other tripods and monopods. Highly recommended.

★★★★★

Verified Purchase

Very very good quality. The material feels like it was created ...

Very very good quality. The material feels like it was created with durability in mind. The quick release is very easy to use and feels like it will hold up to the test of time. The locking in place mechanism is very easy to use and easy to get tight. connects to the top of the mono pod very easily and is easy to get attached tightly. This brand has not let me down yet as far as quality and I will continue to purchase from Manfrotto.

★★★★★

Verified Purchase

Secure and Reliable

This is an awesome quick release head! It's full metal and feels great. I really like the ease in the quick release system and the fact that there is a little pin that you can push in that locks the release lever so that you don't accidentally release the camera from the head.

★★★★★

Verified Purchase

Perfect size for a travel monopod

A bought a travel monopod, lightweight and strong. The first head I ordered came in at nearly 2.5 lbs. Ridiculous. Then I bought this little guy. It's perfect for a travel monopod (or tripod). More than beefy enough for my Nikon, even with 80-300mm lens.

Part of the weight savings was because it didn't have extraneous features like panning which doesn't make sense for a monopod. But, it does have one critical feature, a secondary latch for camera safety.

Once you mount the baseplate onto your camera it just snaps into place on the head. Flick the little safety catch over and you're good to go. Very well designed.

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Question & Answer

Question :

Would this head fit onto Manfrotto tripod?

Answer :

It is useless on a tripod because it moves on only one axis, no horizontal just vertical. That is fine on a monopod because you can rotate the monopod. When you get used to a monopod you can make small vertical camera adjustments by leaning the monopod while adjusting this 234RC vertically to compensate. Ballheads are useless on a monopod. This single axis "mono" head is best for a monopod. Often you can lean against something to stop horizontal movements. If you have plenty of time to sit or stand in one place without people around the tripod is best. With some practice you can use a monopod to increase IQ even better than expensive electric (gyro) image stabilization. Hand holding is fastest but a monopod comes close to hand holding in confined spaces on the move. Many (most?) Pros always use tripods and often turn off image stabilization. Happy Trails

Question :

Would this fit a Canon monopod 500?

Answer :

I put my Manfrotto 234RC on a Manfrotto 3006 monopod. I used a 1/4" to 3/8" adapter, that cost me less than $2.00. The 234RC is 3/8", and my monopod is 1/4". I think these two sizes are probably the industry standard. Either way I don't think you would have a problem. Hope that helped. Mike

Question :

Why do I need a Monopod Head quick release for my monopod?

Answer :

You don't NEED to have a quick release... however, if you have to take the camera off the tripod quickly, the release is nice rather than having to unscrew it from the monopod.

Question :

Is it sturdy enough to support a Canon 5D Mark II with 100mm macro lens vertically (lens pointed at ground)?

Answer :

I would assume so, I use a Nikon D800 with a 28-300 on it and it holds up just fine. Although I usually point mine up not down ;-)

Question :

Will this fit a PU-50 plate?

Answer :

The sizes listed are different and the mounting systems are different, so I'll vote no.

Question :

I used this with my d750/sigma 160-600 on a monopod, never relying completely on the screw,but it was always loosening up. Anything I can do?

Answer :

You might try putting a lock washer on the screw that connects to your camera.

Question :

what is the total height of the head?

Answer :

Total height of the head is: 2.4" (6.1 cm)

Question :

Will it hold my d7200 and 200-500mm lens with the manfrotto element monopod that I currently have?

Answer :

I have used my Canon 5D MkII with a 100 - 400mm and a Sigma 150 - 600mm lens on the monopod with this mount after my shoulder surgery until I was able to hold the camera/lens by itself. No problem.

Question :

How tall is it fully retracted?

Answer :

It is 27 inches fully retracted, 64 inches fully extended. Neither measurement includes the head, which adds 2.5 inches.

Question :

i own 2 Manfrotto RC2 tripod heads. Will my existing RC2 plates fit in this?

Answer :

Yes, if they are the Manfrotto 200PL-14 (also called RC2) at this link: http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-200PL-14-Connect-Mounting-4-Inch/dp/B001A1RMXG compare your plates just to be sure.

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