Manfrotto MHXPRO-2W XPRO Fluid Head with Fluidity Selector and Two Replacement ZAYKIR Quick Release Plates

I bought this back in 2018 when I was using a fully rigged DSLR for video shoots. I eventually upgraded to an Canon XA50, which was rated as useable with this head. My second time out with the XA50 in early 2021 covering a simple dance recital for a coworker who hired me to cover overflow work, the whole pan assembly froze up after the second dance. I managed to finish the recital as best as I could by more or less brute force, but also by trying to be smooth.When I got it back home, I took it apart and realized every single part of the head that needed lubrication was bone dry. It also more or less destroyed the head taking it apart to examine it, since this model is not meant to be taken apart, and seeing all the lubrication was missing. Nothing leaked out of the head, so I'm not sure what happened.Manfrotto is still an industry standard. This head may work OK for a DSLR or Mirrorless setup where the handle makes it easier to point. I would not recommend using this head for a pan/tilt setup for video with any camera.I replaced this unit with a much more expensive Manfrotto unit last year. It's overkill for my setup, therefore hard to balance, but Manfrotto doesn't offer a head in between. At least not yet.

The movement during pan and tilt is smooth, that's the reason I bought this. I've got some good fast pans with it. Easy to start and end smoothly with no slack. It's reasonably lightweight. The plates are solid and the arrows on them are clever. The teeth for the handle adjustment are soft and already showing mild signs of wear, on both the head and the handle, even though I've been careful. The fluidity adjustment is the worst part of this head, lots of slack, incredibly crappy plastic and there's a knack to engaging your chosen fluidity (seems like there are just two). For 10 bucks extra in parts it would be a vastly superior design so I'm disappointed that such a reputable manufacturer got those things wrong. But the big picture is that it functions the way I want it to. Smooth pan and tilt and camera safety are key for video work and that's what it does.

Great product however Manfrotto will not honor the warranty as the seller is not a Manfrotto authorized seller. Returned and purchased from B&H photo who is authorized to sell the product.

Well made product. Panning and tilting are both very smooth. This is a perfect head for videos.

The MHXPRO-2W XPRO is a lovely fluid head. It suits my needs perfectly. Actually, it's a bit of overkill for now but allows me to have full control of my Sony DSC-RX100vi and will let have that same control over a larger camera that is coming. This head is large yet lightweight. It's easily adjustable. Travels well. Allows for video pans that don't jar.