Manfrotto 200PL-14 1/4-Inch Mounting Plate

I purchased this extra mounting plate to use on my camera. I have a manfrotto tripod with 128RC swivel head that I use with my spotting scope. This mounting plate makes it so simple to remove the scope and put the camera on the tripod for those shots that always show themselves. I had considered a monopod, but since I am birding first and will always have the scope/tripod, this arrangement serves me well.

best price

The need for a quick-release plate to attach a camera or spotting scope to a tripod head adds a mechanical weakness that often leads to loosening, and often at inappropriate times. The plate design is intended to attach a variety of different cameras, telephoto lens and spotting scopes to the tripod head, and some combinations are more successful. My particular combination of a Manfrotto tripod head, quick-release plate and Zeiss spotting scope is not ideal. The plastic pin supplied with the plate is too small for the second opening in the Zeiss mount and allows play when the plate loosens slightly. My solution was to "thread" the second hole and add an Allen set screw that better secures the plate to the scope.
Eventually manufacturers of tripods and spotting scopes will collaborate on universal designs for quick-release features and even design without the need for the plate, as at least one spotting scope manufacturer has done with its line of tripods.

Very well designed...simple to use and fit optical equipment
nicely.What more can I say ...reasonably priced and does what it's suppose to.