Peak Design Capture Pro Camera Clip Review
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In my opinion, one of the most exciting aspects of the 21st century has been the advent of crowdfunding as a means of getting a new product to market. Kickstarter is the best known of these and it allows someone with a great idea to reach out to the internet for financing, instead of going the typical route of approaching venture capitalists or friends and family. There are numerous advantages to this system. Firstly, your offering people who would be your actual customers the chance to help make the product a reality. The other advantage is that each backer is making a smaller investment and therefore less risk than one financier taking all the risk with a large investment. All this leads me to Peak Design, a camera accessories company that got its initial funding from a Kickstarter campaign. Peak Design was founded by Peter Dering when he was frustrated by his existing camera carrying systems and he created something new. The Peak Design Capture Camera Clip was the first product out of the gate from the company and their signature product. This Peak Design Capture Pro Camera Clip review focuses on the Pro version which is distinguished by burlier quick release plates, a tripod mounting hole for use as a monopod or tripod quick-release clamp, and all aluminum construction.
The ARCAPlate is sturdy and compatible with Arca Swiss type tripod heads. It also has a ring for attachment to sliding strap systems like the Rapid Strap. Peak Design Capture PRO Camera Clip review.
The camera is released with this easy to press button on the side of the clip. Here it is in the locked position to prevent accidental release. Peak Design Capture PRO Camera Clip review.
The camera is released with this easy to press button on the side of the clip. Peak Design Capture PRO Camera Clip review.
The Capture Pro Camera Clip is an extremely versatile camera attachment system that allows you to add a quick release camera plate to many different things including belts, back pack straps and shoulder straps. A principal design feature is the ease in which the system can be transferred between different attachment points. The appeal of the Capture Pro Camera Clip is that it provides a secure way to attach your camera to something other than a dangling camera strap around your neck and still be able to quickly remove it for use. Peak Design didn’t cut any corners with the construction of the Camera Clip and it has a very solid and durable feel that is the result of an all metal design and smart construction. The two plates that make up the unit are carefully milled to be sleek and lesser weight while still being capable of supporting 200 lbs. The Capture Pro Camera Clip uses two thumb screws to open and close for attachment to straps. One of them is a closed hinge and the other is opened in order to fully open the two plates. The screws offer enough range (3 inches wide and .5 inches thick) that I can’t foresee any straps that would be too thick for the device. The other half of the system is the PROplate quick-release plates that allow the camera to connect and disconnect from the clip securely. The PROplate comes with a few features that appeal to pros and other users that I found handy. First is the d-ring on the bottom that allows you to keep the plate on when you want to use a system like the BlackRapid r-strap that clips into the bottom of the camera. This was a convenient and thoughtful touch. The PROplate also has 4 attachment points for the Peak Design hand strap or Micro Anchors. The PROplate is definitely the way to go if you are getting into the whole Peak Design system. Finally, the PROplate is a standard Arca-Swiss style plate, meaning it will work with most common tripod heads. I loved this feature because I hate switching tripod plates. Peak Design goes the extra mile and gives you an allen key wrench for cranking down the plate to the camera’s tripod mount for a secure connection. I also tested the MICROplate, which is designed for slim-body cameras and Micro-4/3rds systems. This was great for my Sony a6000 mirrorless system camera.
Attaching the clip to one of my shoulder bags worked great. Peak Design Capture PRO Camera Clip review.
Peak Design Capture PRO Camera Clip review.
One of the scenarios that I was really excited about trying the Capture Pro Camera Clip in was when I wanted to carry my camera shoulder bag and have quick access to the camera but still be able to go hands free when needed. I quickly attached the device to the bag’s strap and tightened the PROplate to the bottom of my Nikon D4 and went off to an outdoor portrait session. The Capture Pro Camera Clip held the camera in a ready to use position and my spare lenses stayed in the bag ready to be changed out. While it isn’t the MOST comfortable way to use the system, because the camera can rest a little awkwardly on your stomach/side, it was very convenient and I enjoyed the usability. As a belt clip holster, the Capture Pro Camera Clip works well but loses out a bit to some alternative systems that allow the camera to swivel freely. Because it is in a fixed position, the camera’s weight pulls on the belt more because of its moving gravity. This is the tradeoff for versatility.
Overall I am left quite happy with my Peak Design Capture Pro Camera Clip review. It is a versatile system for attaching cameras to a variety of things from belts to straps to attachment points on backpacks. The camera clip is exceptionally well built and durable and has many thoughtful features including a locking release mechanism and well designed quick release plate. If you don’t need the features of the pro version, check out the Peak Design Capture Camera Clip for a more affordable option. For more info on the Capture Pro Camera Clip and other Peak Design products, visit www.peakdesign.com or www.amazon.com/peakdesign.
