pin on tripod head?

[Dave Pickett]

Some tripod heads have a small pin near the threaded mount, presumably to fit into some cameras to make the fitting more secure. None of my cameras, compacts or Dslrs accomodate this, is there another purpose for this pin?

[Raymond Lin]

make sure the mounting plate faces the right way ?

[LCPete]

I think the pin is for camcorders , when I got a couple of spare manfrotto plates they had them, just took them off
Pete

[rileydoggy]

yes, they are generally more useful on camcorders which are longer and more prone to pivoting on the plate as you are panning.