AFVO Quick Release Plate (200PL-14) for Manfrotto 804RC2, 484RC2, 498/496/494RC2, 2498RC, 2486RC, 468MGRC2 Tripods

I purchased this item twice within a few hours but received two different items. In the first purchase the seller was listed as AFVO. I didn't check when making the second purchase but it turned out to be a different seller (which I won't mention). Both items came in a ziplock bag with a printed label saying AFVO, but the products were quite different (see attached photos). The one sold by AFVO looks exactly as in the listing photos. The other one is a bit cheaper in appearance and construction. The AFVO one looks very similar to the genuine Manfrotto.Photos attached:Top is a genuine Manfrotto 200PL-14 quick release plate (purchased years ago).Bottom left is this AFVO quick release plate.Bottom right is the quick release plate from the non-AFVO seller.If you want to get what you see in the listing photos, make sure the seller ("Sold by") is AFVO. But other than appearance and construction, it probably doesn't make that much difference because both seem to work perfectly in the genuine Manfrotto rapid connect clamp. I prefer the AFVO because it looks like quality approaching Manfrotto, however both seem to work equally well so I will keep both.**UPDATE**, one day later: Spoke too soon! I was so concerned that the plates fit in the Manfrotto clamp properly (because a plate I purchased previously did not) that I wrote this review before taking the final step of fixing the plates to a camera. It turns out that the more cheaply made plate (the one on the lower right) has a recession for the screw and when the screw is tightened the D ring is forced down into the recession which forces the D ring to stand straight up -- it cannot be folded down. If the D ring cannot be folded down, then it cannot fit in the clamp. Therefore, the cheaper plate (actually costs the same) is useless and I am returning it. The AFVO one still works fine as its D ring folds down properly after the screw is tightened.

I love the quick release and lost this little plate. I gave up trying to find it and went looking for a new one. Original Manfrotto was about $23, this was less than $7 so I took a chance. This seems equal to the Manfrotto in every way. Getting this one allowed me to find the original that I lost, (you know how that works) so now I have two.

I needed a replacement for the manfrotto tripod and everywhere i looked the price tag was over $30. This inexpensive replacement from amazon worked perfectly! I replaced the manfrotto plate 200PL-14. It is sturdy construction and built to last

I have no complaints about my purchase. The release plate is sturdy and will undoubtedly last a long time. (Unless I lose it!). It is also very much cheaper than the release plate from Manfrotto. If you cannot believe the price of a lot of camera equipment, this will make you feel a bit better.

I lost my original Manfrotto quick release and I found this one. It works perfectly and I 'm really happy with it.

Poor quality - hard to adjust screw, when there are plenty of good options out there. Buy another brand, even if it costs $2 more

Very pleased with the quality and price of this quick release plate.

Pretty straight forward plate. I lost my original and this is the exact replica. It is metal and very durable. Easy to put on and take off.

The genuine Manfrotto plates are rather expensive for what they are; it's great to see compatible/imitation/clone plates available, but there are trade-offs and differences.Differences:Manfrotto: bare solid cast metal; AFVO (this imitation): painted cast metal (with little use, already chipping where quick release and locking pics contact it)Manfrotto: good quality rubber grip/mount pad; AFVO: softer different rubber (really strong smell)Manfrotto: stronger and wider tightening ring; AFVO: narrower wire and width (a bit harder on the fingers to tighten really tight)Manfrotto: 100% Manfrotto shape; AFVO: very slightly different shape where plate engages with tripodPros:- Vastly less expensivethan to genuine ManfrottoCons:- Other than money saving, nothing about this is better than the Manfrotto version- Strong rubber smell that is very noticeable and doesn't seem to ever go away- Painted/enamelled (looks/feels nice, but chips where lever/pins contact it)- Doesn't tighten quite as easily (ring grip) or solidly (wiggly/ridgy rubber surface) but really not a big issue- Shape not 100% identical but it seems to be compatible enough to hold solidlyMany of these things are minor, but they are differences. I've had mine for over 2 months, and the rubber smell hasn't decreased at all, it is very strong. It is also something I've noticed before, always on budget/low-end products that come out of china/etc that have a rubber component; seems certain places there make rubber very differently than other countries.When reasonably close to this pate, the smell is substantial, so much so that even after 2 months I can't use it on anything like a DSLR camera/lens, where my face is close to it. I've tried cleaning, covering it; covering it with something helps (partly) but removes some of the friction. The bare rubber grips very well, but is more 'wiggly' than the Manfrotto plate, though that isn't really too big a deal (though it does make me a hair nervous if that may allow the screw to work lose over time if left on and unchecked for a long time).The paint looks like very nice enamel, but right away the spring loaded quick-release lever started to chip at it where it makes contact, and another larger tripod (I have 4 genuine Manfrotto tripods all specifically compatible with the same Manfrotto plate) isn't the lever quick release; the plate slides in lengthwise with a safety catch at the end, then you tighten a knob to lock the plate solid, that one also chips away at the point where it tightens. I don't want little rough paint chips on my equipment or getting on my hands, or a lens. It appears there is a very good reason Manfrotto doesn't paint their plates.The tightening ring isn't really a big deal, since I tend to leave plates on things rather than swapping them often (hence my need for more plates), mostly only removing when the plate is in the way; it is just a bit harder on the fingers to get it super tight.The shape... very minor differences (if you look close at the great comparison pics already here, you can see them), but I noticed that, though all my Manfrotto tripods are genuine Manfrotto and all 100% compatible with their version of this plate, the 3 quick release tripods all have slightly different designs on the side opposite the lever (where the plate grabs). Some, it makes no difference and works like the Manfrotto, others you can see it doesn't work 100% as well as the Manfrotto, but still seems to have a pretty solid hold on that side of the plate.My Conclusion:I won't use this with DSLR cameras, I can't because the rubber smell is too much. Plus, with the wiggly rubber, paint chipping, and very slight (though maybe insignificant) shape issue on some (not all) Manfrotto tripods, I'm just hesitant to stick this on a very expensive camera/lens. So my use is for things like a telescope I use with these tripods, or when I use a low cost camera I don't look through (sometimes I mount my iPhone or other video device on a tripod), or mount a flash on a tripod in a pinch, etc.It seems clear the prime design consideration was to make it low cost (though still 'good enough'), while the design consideration of Manfrotto is to make it professional quality, durable, something you can put a camera/lens costing thousands of dollars on and trust it won't fall/break off. Question is, what will you use this plate for, and how much is that extra trust needed and worth. I will buy more, but I will replace the rubber, and only use them on miscellaneous devices.

Needed two of these for two new telephoto zoom lenses, to attach to their collars.Buying two of these cost $22 instead of $70 for the original Manfrotto plates!That's 30% of the price.Build quality seems very good. See comparison photos.The AFVO is painted grey instead of the bare finish of the Manfrotto.The AFVO "D" twist ring isn't as thick and sturdy as the Manfrotto, but attaching it to the lenses and torquing on the ring, there were no issues and ring didn't give or feel like it would become loose or bend.Rubber seat hs different tread, otherwise seems exactly the same thickness and cutouts.The plate attaches flawlessly to the Manfrotto ball head.This is an excellent value especially if you need to get several of these plates for your gear.Highly recommend.

To my surprise, this plate has tiny difference in contour from the classic PL200, which is what I am using. therefore, this plate is not fitting my ball head.very hard to find on photos, you have to compare them in hand. Be careful before you order this .Overall quality of this model seems to be inferior to the classic PL200.

I don’t know if I choose the wrong one, but I verify multiple times before I bought this and it looks pretty much alike the original one but it’s unable to clip tight. In fact, I just can’t use it safely. I would never put a thousand dollars camera with this on. Sorry! I don’t suggest you buy this. The material seemed super great quality, but the engineering didn’t seem good enough. A millimeter make a whole difference in this kind of tool. Go in an actual store with your real gear test it before you buy. It’s my second time with this kind of camera / trippd accessories and I will definitely go in a physical store next time. Maybe you have more time than me to bother returning stuff. I don’t have this time. Isn’t the main reason to buy online?

Switching out the tripod mount on cameras can be a real pain, especially in dark or near dark conditions, the price of these was such that I bought one for each camera and only have to take one tripod out. Plus, switching between is quick and painless. GREAT VALUE, great convenience!