Are you getting real tired, real quick of the ol' shoulder strap method of carrying your camera around? Me too, and I've been on a journey to rid myself from it once and for all. In this hands-on review I take a closer look at the Peak Design Capture Camera Clip v3.
Last fall, Peak Design released a redesign of their popular second-generation Capture Camera Clip that’s 20 percent lighter and has a 20 percent smaller profile. Other than seeing them used by others in person, I’ve had no personal experience with the previous model so this review will not be covering any formal comparison. What’s good to know though is that this new Capture v3 is backwards compatible with all previous generation Peak Design quick release plates (except for DUALplate v1).
The Capture Camera Clip v3 is made of weatherproof, rust-resistant aluminum and measures in at 3.3 inches wide and is 3 ounces. Before a camera is added, the clip does add some noticeable weight to the shoulder strap of a backpack compared to the other side, but once I put on the backpack it wasn’t an uncomfortable difference. When real weight of a camera is added, this is where I’d recommend fastening the sternum strap if your backpack has one. Doing this will help distribute the weight difference between sides and place the shoulder strap in a better, more centered position. Likewise, what you may not realize by just looking at photos is that the weight of the gear loaded into the backpack does a lot to help with the vertical balance and comfort while holstering a camera in the Capture.
Of course the Capture Camera Clip is not limited to backpack straps. Any sort of strap that’s no more than around 2.5 inches wide and 0.87 inches thick that would be handy to have a camera mounted to it is fair game (think of all those random “utility” straps you never use on your bag). If strapping this to a belt is something you want to do on a regular basis, Peak Design does make a PROpad that works with the Capture and probably makes that situation a lot more comfortable. I’m almost always wearing a backpack while photographing so it’s not really something I’m personally interested in.
On a related note, the Capture Camera Clip packaging states it works with straps 3 inches wide, but the mounting holes to connect the top and bottom plates of the sandwich are physically 2.5 inches apart. B&H Photo lists the maximum width as 2.5 inches. The truth is somewhere in the middle. I have two backpacks that have straps a little under 3 inches in the location I’d mount the Capture Clip; one doesn’t work because it’s too rigid of a strap, and the other does work because it’s more padded and flexible.
One option I wish the Capture Camera Clip had was the ability to keep the release trigger unlocked. As is, to release the camera from the clip I have to press in a button and pull out the camera at the same time; generally a two-handed job. Obviously this is for safety of the gear and not a bad feature, but there are definitely times where I find a lock more of a burden than a necessity. Going in the opposite train of thought, what the Capture does feature is a way to make the lock even more secure so that pressing in the trigger does not release the camera. This extra measure is good for times when you are being really active such as biking and you certainly wouldn’t intend to be unholstering the camera at any point.
The Capture v3 comes with two sets of screws. One can be hand tightened but are larger, the others use the included tool but are smaller profile and can be used for thicker straps.
The Arca Swiss-compatible Capture quick release plate that gets screwed into the camera is astonishingly thin. I do happen to have the v2 plate that came with one of the Peak Design straps and it’s about double the stack height of the v3. Looking at it, I would not think of it as being a durable point of contact to the camera. However, the Capture Clip v3 system is rated to withstand forces of over 200 pounds according to Peak Design. The way it also sits inside the Capture holster seems to be designed quite well and there’s no twisting or other form of leveraging that plate to break. When the camera is locked into the Clip, it’s a very sturdy feeling setup.
A couple things that annoy me about the quick release plate is that it doesn’t come with a D-ring screw and requires a tool to take on and off. I even tried swapping out the screw that it came with for a couple of the D-ring screws I had laying around but sadly neither were compatible. For many folks, that’s probably not a big deal, but my Fujifilm X-T1’s battery door gets covered by the plate so it requires removal every time I swap the battery. The bottom design of that camera is an extreme case, however, and most cameras have enough separation between tripod mount and battery door.
Plate covering the battery door on the Fujifilm X-T1.
No battery door issues with the Canon 80D as well as most other cameras.
Price
The price for the Capture Camera Clip v3 is $69.95 which I think is reasonable considering the well-thought design and being a complete holster system. Some of the higher-quality camera straps can cost just as much and this is a replacement of those altogether if you want it to be. If you’re an owner of the previous generation and want to save a few dollars by not upgrading the plate yet to the lower profile one, they also sell just the v3 Capture Clip for $49.95.
What I Liked
- Low-profile design
- Lightweight
- Fair price
- Compatible with Peak Design Anchors for straps.
- Backwards compatible with previous generation Capture plates (except for DUALplate v1).
What I Didn’t Like
- No D-ring screw for camera plate.
- Need to remove quick release plate in order to open the battery door on a small number of cameras, such as the Fujifilm X-T1.
- Does not fit on rigid, wide straps.
- Can’t be configured to remain fully unlocked (no release trigger necessary).
Conclusion
The Capture Camera Clip v3 from Peak Design is one of my favorite strap alternatives. If you’re like me and bring a backpack wherever you go to photograph, I’d highly suggest looking into one of these systems and ditch the annoying strap. The incredible low profile of the Capture v3 is about as unobtrusive as it gets before letting the camera go totally naked and you’re stuck just handholding it everywhere.
I used an older version (I forget which one- but it was only about a year and a half ago). It worked very well, even on a DSLR / heavy wide angle lens setup. This would be outstanding for smaller cameras - I'm thinking smaller mirrorless with lighter lenses. It felt well-made, sturdy. I can't comment on the newer iterations, but even the older model felt well-designed. Peak makes a pretty good product across the board for staps / clips.
Did you enjoy it with your DSLR? I have an X-T1 and I find it flops forward and digs in my chest since my back doesn't have massive padded straps...
And even if it did have big paded straps, it's hard to put on since the system doesn't account for much thickness in the straps...
Not impress with the design. Or at least it's not compatible with my backpack.
I have the V2 and use it with my 5D Mark IV all the time. Works well even with a battery grip and 70-200 lens attached. The trick to getting it to work well with heavier/bigger stuff is to get the pad that they offer. Here's the link to it.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1372685-REG/peak_design_pp_2_prop...
How do you use this on a backpack?
I had not tried the pad.
To answer Mr. Blah, I did like the design- and it will certainly not work with all packs due to strap thickness / width. But... for my purposes, it fit and did well. The convenience factor is worth it.
My use was on a full-day hike up and down elevation; nothing got banged around and the camera and lens were safe. As long as you take care. Remember, you have an expensive camera/lens combination hanging off the front of your chest- you don't want to forget that!
I use the older version of Capture Pro while hiking. It serves it's purpose even with the 70-200 mm lens mounted on my FF DSLR (Canon 5D). Occasionally, I have to press the lens to my chest while performing small jumps or some small jog (e.g. steep downhill slope). The only thing I'd like it to do is to be more compatible with L-brackets (which I don't have yet). I've seen it could be mounted together, but that seems rather bulky to me.
I have the v2 and what I don't like is that on a shoulder strap, the camera sags forward even with a normal lens. I also have to double check that I inserted the plate correctly in the clip, because it's so low profile that some times it doesn't insert properly on the first attempt. It does work a lot better on the outside of the Everyday Messenger bag though.
I bought the V2 for my old 5D MKII with grip and it's impossible to use I return this to the seller. If you have a camera grip don't buy this
Took an earlier version of this on a ten day backpacking trip. By about day two I had no problems releasing the camera with one hand in one smooth motion. I noticed in your pictures that you had the camera mounted to your left strap. Try mounting on the right strap so that the release button on the clip is on the outside. I was using my right hand to grab the grip of the camera and my right thumb would press the button down as i slid up. It took a little getting used to but once i had it figured out I was missing a lot less shots.
I have the V3 along with the Pro Pad and the new PD Slide Lite Strap. I just came back from a a week of hiking in Sedona. The Capture worked great on my Osprey Atmos 25 daypack along with my Panasonic G85. It's so much easier to hike mountains with trekking poles when a camera is not swinging from chest or side. That and always having the camera at the ready allows for more photo taking. No more sliding a sling pack around and having to reach in to retrieve the camera.
"A couple things that annoy me about the quick release plate is that it doesn’t come with a D-ring screw and requires a tool to take on and off."
Massive fail on Peak's part imo. Should be D ring or at the very least a slotted screw (like Manfrotto uand others use) so you could use a coin to unscrew it.
I almost always have my Manfrotto Q plate on my camera so this is a deal breaker for me.
The Peak Design plate does have a slot for a coin or screw driver.
The V3 has Not.
Is the clip manfrotto compatible?
No. It is only compatible with the Peak Design plate. Any Acra Swiss plate will go into the slot, but only the PK plate will lock into the clip.
Bummer. Not buying another tripod. 😱
same here
I know it's a year later now, but wanted to say they sell their Dual Plate that fits both their Capture clip AND Manfrotto slots. So you don't need to buy another tripod or head - just release the camera and drop it right onto your tripod.
Their add-on Dual Clip *is* Manfrotto compatible, as well as ArcaSwiss and Capture. Best of both worlds for those who need it. Note the Dual isn't quite as flexible with the Capture, read about it at their website.
Seems to me that you are reaching for negative things to say about the capture clip. If the quick release plate blocks your battery access I suppose any quick release plate would do likewise. I also think that a D-ring screw would be a big mistake. Considering the amount of movement when you are walking with a camera attached I want the connection with the camera to be as solid as possible - my fingers are not strong enough to get the screw as tight as I want it. As far as the balance issue is concerned, I use two of the original Capture clips - a small Micro 4/3 camera on one side and my binoculars on the other. Works like a charm.
Hi Ryan Mense,
Fantastic Review!
I'm seriously considering purchasing the Capture but I'm concerned it wont fit my camera bag's strap. If you dont me asking, do you remember which bag it did and didn't fit?
I use the clip V3 on my LoweproFastpack BP250AW en it's fits perfect for me. Only (big) negative is the the it blocks the battery door of my X-T2. I found out too late. I also have a grip from Fittest LB-XT2 arca-swiss which didn't block the battery door. Removing the plate is something I'm not happy with.