Capture Clip V3
$ 70 | Peak Design.com
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| The original Capture Clip was a darling of Kickstarter, raising nearly $ 15 million back in 2011. V2 debuted in 2013 and was replaced by V3 at the beginning of 2018. |
First released on Kickstarter in 2011, the Peak Design Capture Clip aimed to give photographers an easier way to carry their camera. Seven years later, we now have the Capture version V3, a much sleeker and more streamlined iteration of the original product.
Key Features
- Arca-compatible plate
- Aluminum construction
- Anti-slip pad on mounting surface
- Quick release button with security lock
- Clip fits straps up to 6.4 cm wide and 1.6 cm thick
- System can hold up to 90 kg (200 lb)
- Available in silver and black
Design
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| $ 69.95 gets you the Capture Clip, an Arca-compatible plate, x2 hand-drive screws, x2 4mm hex screws (not shown), a hex wrench and a microfiber pouch for storage. |
V3 boasts a ‘smaller, lighter and lower profile’ than V2 – more specifically it’s 57 g / 2 oz lighter (clip plus plate), 2.1 cm narrower, 1.2 cm shorter and 0.8 cm thinner. From a design perspective this means an accessory that looks less like a chunky piece of gear and more like an integrated piece of design affixed to your bag or strap. It is still made of all aluminum (minus some rubber bits for gripping your bag strap) and still has a smooth anodized finish like its predecessor. It is also now available in two colors; Silver and Black.
With V3, Peak Design has simplified the Capture lineup to just one product – V2 offered both the Capture Standard and CapturePro at different price points. The former had a glass-reinforced nylon back and was cheaper than the all-aluminum Pro.
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Like the V2, you can still integrate a variety of add-ons to your Capture system such as the Manfrotto RC2 compatible Dual Plate or the Peak Design Lens Kit. This means you can use the Capture Clip for its base purpose but still have the option to expand its functionality well beyond just carrying a camera on your bag.
What’s also nice is V3 ships with two different sets of clamping bolts, hand-driven ones and a set that are driven in using a hex key (included).
In Use
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| The Capture Clip, in action. |
The Capture system is extremely well designed and works exactly how you would expect it to: With the plate attached to your camera, simply slide it into the clip from above. When you want to retrieve your camera, press and hold the small button on the right side while sliding your camera back upward.
The first time I attached the system to my bag, I honestly didn’t expect to love it but quickly found myself enjoying the convenience it provides. In fact, all of the following gripes I have are admittedly nit-picky stuff because frankly the Capture Clip works well.
Even with a heavy camera attached, the Capture feels very secure
Attaching the clip portion to your bag for the first time can be a bit of a hassle but the key is just to loosen it more than you think you need to. Most folks will attach it to a backpack but it can easily be attached to a messenger bag, belt or something else entirely. Once attached to something it’s not hard to remove and replace. I tried it on both my Peak Design Everyday Backpack and my nearly decade old Camelbak backpack and it fit securely on both.
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Even with a heavy camera attached, the Capture feels very secure. The only time I worried while using it was when pulling my backpack off my shoulders. I sometimes instinctively like to toss my bag around – not a good idea when your precious gear is connected to the front.
While writing this review, I used the Capture with 4 different cameras: a Nikon D750 w/ 50mm 1.8 (1 kg / 2.19 lb), Nikkormat FTN w/ 50mm 1.4 (1.1 kg / 2.43 lb), Bronica RF645 w/ 65mm f/4 (1.1 kg / 2.44 lb) and Hasselblad 501C w/ 80mm f/2.8 (1.47 kg / 3.25 lb). All of these felt confidently secure.
Peak Design says the Capture is rated for up to 90 kg / 200 lb so safety-wise almost anything you would put on there is a non-issue. For me personally, the Hasselblad was a bit too heavy to be comfortable. But it wasn’t just the weight; I also didn’t feel comfortable with the way large cameras or those with long lenses tend to pull down, potentially jabbing into your body.
Bottom line
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| The Capture system not only makes it simple to carry your camera, but it means you always have a plate attached for tripod mounting. |
My biggest hangup with the Capture is just getting used to having your camera on your chest (that’s where I wore it at least), but it only took me about an hour of walking around in a park to get used to it. And by later that same day – while on a different shoot – I found I was using it instinctively.
My biggest hangup with the Capture is just getting used to having your camera on your chest
Overall for the price point of $ 69.95 the Capture Clip V3 isn’t cheap, but it’s worth the money if you’re looking for a new approach to the way you carry your camera. And if you’re looking to add another clip to your arsenal or upgrade from a previous version, you have the option of buying just the Clip alone for the lower price of $ 49.95.
Peak Design continues to bring a photographers-first approach to their design with a very strong sense for what works and what doesn’t. In this writer’s opinion, the new Capture Clip falls squarely in the “works” column.
What we like:
- Very comfortable, lightweight and slim
- Rated for up to 90 kg / 200 lbs, very secure and safe
- Very quick learning curve and extremely easy to get used to
- Feels great ergonomically
- Lots of options for placement and expanding uses with other add-ons
- Stylish, really
What we don’t:
- Pricey
- Gear hangs forward on chest
- Hex screw requires you to keep the hex wrench with you
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)