XPRO Fluid Head with Fluidity Selector (MHXPRO-2W)

I've been searching for a long time for a tripod and video head combo to serve my needs as a dedicated video hobbyist. I ended up pairing this head with a Manfrotto MT190XPRO3 tripod, which I also love. The tripod will be a separate review, but let it suffice to say that if you're in the same quandary trying to find a video head and tripod to work well together, give this a serious look. I'm not a pro, nor anything close, but I do have serious amateur needs for video that sometimes approach (semi-)professional. When I do pans and tilts they need to be smooth and controlled. I had looked at heads such as the Manfrotto 502HD, but I'm using a Canon Vixia HF-G10 and it needed a head for a lighter camcorder. Everything seemed like overkill. I was willing to spend the money, but I wasn't using a 10 lb. video cam. And as you probably already know, finding a good match of head to the camcorder size/weight is important. First of all, don't pair this head with too lightweight of a tripod. Other reviewers have complained that when panning this head will lift the tripod right off the floor. Well, it’s possible. The fluid motion is stiff, but that’s what makes it work so well. You can’t make accidental sudden jerky movements. You need to push from side to side (or up and down), and it needs something to push against. A lightweight tripod just won’t do the trick. I like to grip the rubber grip on the Manfrotto tripod when doing a pan or tilt to make sure that everything stays solid. Learn to do it and you won't have a problem. The fluid motion is gorgeous, especially for its price range. The pan and tilt adjustments can be tweaked, and locked down completely, but it won’t allow you to adjust so loosely that you lose the effectiveness of the fluidity. This is NOT the head that you want if you’re going to be trying to video fast sports action, but it’s perfect for following a speaker, panning nature shots, or the kids at play. For a camcorder the size of my G10, the two-position tilt fluidity selector knob doesn't have a lot of effect. Changing the selection does make a difference, but not dramatically so. But if you were using a DSLR with a longer, heavier lens I'm sure it would be an important adjustment. I use the "short lens" position. The included bubble level is a must, although it’s a little difficult to see. Pack a penlight for low-light situations, or be prepared to use your cell phone's light. When mated with the tripod, the tripod’s level and the head's level were pretty close in agreement, but not exactly. This indicated to me that there may have been some minor machining tolerance matchup problems between the tripod plate and head. However, it was certainly nothing to cause a problem. When setting up, I use the tripod level for gross adjustment (it's easier to see) and then tweak the tripod for final adjustment with the level on the head. There is no level adjustment on the head itself. Don’t pay any attention to the reviewers who say that this head is made of cheap plastic. Manfrotto doesn’t make cheap. The material in question is a polymer. Look it up - it’s much tougher than plastic. No, it’s not a $1000 head, but it’s good quality and with a little common sense will hold up just fine. And the parts that need to be are made of aluminum. You'll appreciate the weight difference. One small complaint is that to adjust the handle position the handle adjustment knob has to be backed off until the meshed teeth disengage completely, and then tightened back down. The teeth lock the handle in place once adjusted, and that’s good. But I leave the head attached to the tripod, so when I go to put it away in the bag I have to loosen and swivel the handle down each time. A quick-release system for the handle would have been nice but I can live with it, and it’s not enough of an issue to deduct points. There’s a quick release plate for the camcorder/camera which I love! I attached the plate to my camcorder and it stays attached. It’s not large at all, in fact it's small. With a couple of minutes of practice you can then learn to hold the camcorder with one or both hands and it just pops into place on the head and locks with a spring action. So smooth! Just be sure to have the latch set in the released position before you go to insert the camcorder/plate. To unlock, press down the spring-loaded safety with the thumb and move the locking release lever with the index finger. Lift out with the other hand, or use two hands. It’s a two-second process. Great job on this one, Manfrotto! Note that most Manfrotto tripods have a set screw under the mounting plate that you can tighten after mounting the head to help assure that the head doesn’t come loose. If you’re going to be leaving the head attached be sure to tighten the set screw to avoid headaches later, since the head just screws onto the ⅜ inch mount. It could come loose during use. While it wouldn’t be likely to just fall off, it would cause serious wobble that might ruin a shot. To sum up, you can put less into a cheap head, but you get what you pay for. You can certainly pay a lot more for semi-pro or pro heads, but if you have a small camcorder and don’t have pro needs, this may be the head for you. It would also work well for video taken with DSLRs.

Manfrotto's hidden gem. You don't hear much about this fluid head but I have owned one for 3 months and can I can honestly tell you that it is pretty good unit. I use it with my Nikon D500 for shooting video and sometime pictures. The MHXPRO-2W works very well in both areas. It is smooth enough to take great videos yet is small enough that you are not lugging around a 4lb monster. I would highly recommend this Fluid head for those on a budget who need a good head for taking pictures and videos and don't have $1K to spend on a Tripod and head.

Everything I needed in a tripod head. I don't have a big camera or heavy lenses so this is just right. I use a Canon 60D and this head has enough resistance to hold it in place. The fluid movement is great and I've used it for many film jobs. I attached it to a Manfrotto 290 Dual tripod with 90 Degree column so I can aim the camera straight down if needed. I'm really enjoying using this. Best tripod and head I've ever owned.

This head was bigger than I thought it would be from the images provided. It is great quality build typical Manfrotto. This head is very smooth and very adjustable. Holds camera very secure. Happy with it so far. I will give an update after I shoot my first video with it. Just to give a reference I have my Nikon D750 with vertical grip on it in this image.

I expected a used head but this is like new in every way. Shipping was perfect. The price was great. I would purchase again from this seller. This has made a project I just completed successful!

Extremely smooth pan and tilt and very nice build quality. Great price for a great fluid head.

I purchased this fluid head primarily for my new pair of binoculars atop a manfrotto MT249A3 tripod.. with the weight of these "bino's" I crossed my fingers that this new head would work...my binos weigh 10.5 lbs..so that was a concern but to my amazement the head "and tripod" works effortlessly with the heavy payload..Obviously, they'll handle my T3i easily..I like the slower movement of horizontal/vertical movement of each axis..very happy with this purchase

UPDATED from 3 star to 1 star: I’m working with a simple DSLR on the fluid head. Definitely under its weight capacity. The plate locking mechanism is so loose I get shake any time the camera pans or tilts. I tried tightening the torque screw on the bottom where the lock in attached, but it did nothing. The lock is just straight up flawed and poorly designed. I’m moving away from these manfrotto quick releases all together. I can’t believe they put their name on this video head. I’d return if the window wasn’t closed and I could honestly say it wasn’t used before. Original: Kind of disappointed with the plastic-y build quality of this fluid head. I use a rigged out GH5 on it and the quick release plate has some serious wobble to it. I wouldn’t trust a cinema camera on it, but suppose at this price point, you’d better not be throwing something expensive on here. It also doesn’t seem to fully lock on tilt, presumably because my set up is a bit heavy (not THAT heavy). It’s light which is nice for travel. All in all, an OK cheap fluid head for smaller cameras and beginners.

Das Stativ ist ziemlich gut für das Filmen mit DSLRs geeignet, weil es dieselbe Schnellwechselplatte wie die Fotostative verwendet und auch die richtige orientierung hat. Die Dämpfung ist gut und es wackelt nichts, auch nicht in der unteren Platte, wie es z.B. bei den billigeren Manfrotto-Videostativen manchmal vorkommt. Es ist größtenteils aus einem stabilen Kunststoff, aber alle entscheidenen Teile sind aus Metall. Ein großes Problem scheint bei Manfrotto aber derzeit die QS zu sein. Bei der ersten Lieferung dieses Stativs fehlte der Handgriff, bei der Ersatzlieferung hatte die Schraube in der mitgelieferten Wechselplatte kein Gewinde. Zwei Lieferungen und beide fehlerhaft?! Bei Manfrotto scheint es Probleme zu geben … Also bei Bestellung alles gut ansehen!

J'ai testé cette tête avec un bridge fuji et j'ai constaté ceci: - En panoramique, le moindre toucher de la commande induit des mouvements parasites (trop souple). - En site et en position la plus souple, le démarrage du mouvement induit lui aussi des mouvements parasites (trop dur). Je lui préfère de loin la rotule vidéo Manfrotto MVH500AH. Il s'agit d'un article reconditionné auquel il manquait une entretoise pour le verrouillage en panoramique. Le service de retour a parfaitement fonctionné...d'où 5 étoiles.

Me gusta su fluidez , yo lo uso mucho para un slider que acabo de comprar y me parece magnifico, creo que manfrotto siempre se lleva 5 estrellas por sus grandes productos

La qualité Manfrotto. La tête est excellente et le mouvement très fluide. Je l'utilise avec 3kg dessus et c'est un régal. Un seul reproche : elle est un peu encombrante et lourde. Mais on ne peut pas tout avoir !

Thisu product allows easy panning and tilting of a DSLR when shooting video. There is enough resistance in the fluid head that you can let go of the arm and the camera sits still, but not so much that the tripod wants to move when panning or tilting. The quick connect system also makes mounting the camera easy. You can attach the base somewhere warm so that you don't have to work with your bare hands in the cold. I have the head mounted on a 190 tripod and it holds my Nikon D5300 equipped with a 35-170mm zoom. Not a super heavy lens, but heavy enough. The main purpose is filming hockey games. Gave it a 3/5 for "travelling" because it is considerably larger and heavier than a standard static head. However, it does allow you to work with heavier equipment than some of the more portable tripod heads (wouldn't trust my camera and lens to those) and the action is super smooth.