Peak Design Seize Clip Evaluate (Digital camera Holder for Backpack)

As an avid backpacker, I’m continually on the lookout for higher methods to hold my digicam whereas on the path.

Most of my backpacking packs require me to take off the pack to entry my digicam, and carrying it by hand, on a digicam strap or on a chest harness will get a bit previous after some time (particularly once I used to shoot with a DSLR).

A number of months in the past, I found Peak Design’s Seize Clip Model 3 and determined to present it a attempt.

I actually love Peak Design gear, its enterprise mannequin, its designs, and most of all, the standard of the whole lot they make.

So although I used to be a bit doubtful – would I actually wish to carry my digicam on my shoulder on a holster clip?

I gave it a go, and I’m so glad I did.

Listed below are the outcomes of my real-world Peak Design Cature Clip check.

Design of the Peak Design Seize Clip V3

It seems that the Seize Clip is the unique Peak Design product. Then traveler Peter Dering went a visit, acquired annoyed with carrying his DSLR, after which went residence and stop his job. Ten months and a Kickstarter marketing campaign later, the primary Seize Clip (and consequently Peak Design) was born.

This was all again in 2011. Nowadays we’re on Seize Clip V3, a a lot sleeker and extra streamlined model of the unique clip.

You possibly can simply purchase the clip, purchase the clip with the usual mount (like I’ve), and/or select from completely different equipment, together with kits that work with lenses, binoculars, and motion cameras/point-and-shoots (together with GoPros) – see the entire line up of devices right here.

My Peak Design Seize Clip got here with a typical Arca-Swiss-compatible plate, 2 hand-drive screws, 2 4mm hex screws, a hex wrench and a microfiber pouch to retailer the whole lot in.

The Seize Clip itself is product of weatherproof, rust-resistant aluminum and weighs simply 3 ounces (84 g). It appears fairly heavy at first, however as soon as I used to be carrying my pack I didn’t actually discover it.

The usual digicam plate is a bit lighter than the clip (0.5 oz/14 g), although heavier than my tripod plate. It screws in with the hex key, which comes with it.

Picture: Marc Bergreen

One cool factor about the usual plate is that it has 4 anchor factors. This offers your digicam four-way entry into the clip. There’s no entrance or again – you may’t get it flawed, making it a great digicam harness for climbing or out of doors actions whenever you want straightforward and fast entry.

One other cool factor is the security lock is on the button of the Peak Design Seize Clip. A easy 90-degree flip locks or unlocks the clip. (That is way more streamlined than the bulkier security lock of variations 1 and a couple of.) There’s a hash mark to indicate whether or not you’re open or closed (they’re aligned when open).

So far as the place to place it, that’s actually as much as you. Peak Design recommends the suitable shoulder simply above the sternum on a backpack and simply off to the suitable facet on the belt, however actually, you may place it wherever.

It’ll match most straps as much as roughly 2.5-3 inches huge and 0.87 inches thick, relying on their rigidity. That provides you a lot of choices.

Simply word, for one-handed entry preserve the short launch dealing with down. On a backpack strap, face it inward.

As a digicam holder for backpack customers, I can see the Seize Clip being extremely popular.

Key Options of the Seize Clip

When connected to your backpack strap, you hardly discover the Seize Clip is there.

The Peak Design Seize Clip is designed to be gentle, ergonomic, and to supply a helpful manner of carrying your digicam /lens/binos on the go.

It additionally has these options:

• Straightforward on/straightforward off (one-handed with follow)
• Rust-proof aluminum
• Rubberized backplate to forestall scuffing
• Hex screws for extra everlasting installations
• Fast launch button with safety lock
• Can maintain as much as 200 lbs (90 kg)
• Model 3 is smaller, lighter, and safer than earlier variations
• Can be utilized with DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, motion cameras, point-and-shoots, lenses, and binoculars
• Numerous choices for placement – it is going to work on nearly any strap not more than 2.5 inches huge and 0.87 inches thick

You might discover a barely cheaper earlier model of the Seize Clip, however I extremely advocate you spend money on the Caoture Clip V3 – it’s smaller, lighter, extra strong, grippier, doesn’t get caught and has safer bolts.

Set up and Use

The thumb screws aren’t actually lengthy sufficient for the Peak Designs On a regular basis Backpack I’ve. The hex screws would have been higher.

The packaging of the Seize Clip doesn’t actually include loads of directions. There have been plenty of issues I didn’t notice in consequence.

The primary was what the hex screws have been for. The thumb screws (proven above) appeared fairly self-explanatory, no? Properly really, no. Apparently the thumbscrews work higher on belts and thinner straps normally. For thicker straps you’ll wish to use the longer hex screws.

If you happen to attempt the thumbscrews in your pack, you’ll most likely find yourself questioning (like I did), why the clip is so onerous to get on. The picture above is living proof – I’m utilizing the Peak Design On a regular basis Backpack and the Clip doesn’t fairly match. Swap to the hex screws and voila!

One factor with the hex head screws, although, is you received’t have the ability to really feel after they’re tight. You must verify manually by seeing if the Seize Clip is safe. If it strikes up and down in your strap you clearly have a bit extra tightening to do. If it doesn’t budge, you’re good to go. Any extra tightening and also you may mess along with your strap.

Even with the hex screws, although, I had a tough time getting the Seize Clip on my backpacking rucksack. It did, nonetheless, work wonderful on my Osprey day pack.

The Peak Design assist web page mentions that you would be able to “pinch the froth and squeeze the clip on” for thicker straps, however I’m nonetheless doubtful as as to if I can get it on my multi-day packs.

It’s finest to begin with two arms whenever you’re first beginning out.

It might not seem to be it, however it’s really fairly straightforward to get your digicam out and in of the clip one-handed. It takes follow and you must be certain the quick-release button is dealing with in, however it’s positively doable.

If you’re first getting began, although, it’s finest to make use of two arms. (After we first tried it out, we had the button on the surface and it positively wanted two arms!)

Placing the digicam onto the Seize Clip and taking it off is a breeze, particularly with the usual 4-way plate. It goes on any which manner and whenever you hear the press, the digicam is safe.

Whereas on the path, I by no means as soon as felt like my digicam was insecure with the the Seize Clip. Certain, I used to be nervous at first – it appeared like an odd option to carry a digicam – however it held and I shortly discovered to like it. I didn’t even discover the security lock on the short launch button.

If you happen to’re nervous, you may all the time activate it. Merely flip it 90 levels and the button might be locked. Simply keep in mind to launch it earlier than making an attempt to get your digicam out of the clip.

Additionally, there’s purported to be somewhat little bit of play between the digicam and the clip. With out that play it could be not possible to get your digicam in or out.

Ideas and Tips

• The Seize Clip, when used on the belt, can present a super-stable lens altering platform. Merely put the digicam on vertically (it’ll look “sideways”). The Seize Clip will maintain it in place completely on your lens change.
• If you happen to’re utilizing smaller prime lenses, think about placing your digicam on vertically as properly. It will make it so the burden is pointed down, conserving the digicam way more safe.
• It’s loads simpler to hold a bigger digicam and/or giant lens setup when utilizing the Professional Pad. (See under.)

Peak Design Seize Clip Equipment

Varied equipment assist you to carry extra than simply your digicam with the Seize Clip.

Peak Design’s Seize Clip has been round lengthy sufficient to have plenty of equipment obtainable for it. The draw back is that they’re all fairly expensive. The upside is that they’re all exquisitely designed.

To begin with, you will have the 2 digicam plates: the usual ARCA Swiss appropriate plate and the twin plate that’s Manfrotto (RC2) appropriate. (Due to the geometry, this one is just a two-way entry, not a four-way.)

Past this, there are three completely different accent kits, all offered individually:

• The Bino Package – for binoculars. Tremendous handing for birding or searching.
• The Lens Package – helps Nikon, Canon, and Sony lenses – makes a digicam lens belt holster.
• The POV Package – designed for GoPros and point-and-shoot cameras. (This one has sadly not been optimized for V3 but. They’re engaged on it.)

There’s additionally the aforementioned Professional Pad, which provides far more stability. It’s meant for professional photographers (therefore its title) however I haven’t had an opportunity to attempt it out but. Anyway, I’m capturing on a Sony A7III, so I’m not likely carrying that a lot weight.

You probably have a earlier model of the Seize Clip and are questioning if it’s backwards appropriate, the reply is most certainly sure…with a number of exceptions as proven within the desk under.

Curiously, you may see the variations between Peak Design Seize v2 vs v3 gave us some issues whereas taking others away.

You possibly can try all of the equipment for the Seize Clip to seek out out extra about what works with what.

There are some things I didn’t like a lot in regards to the Seize Clip.

• Neither of my journey tripods use an ARCA plate, so I’ve to alter out. Meaning I’ve to hold across the hex wrench. A little bit of a bummer for positive.
• The Seize Clip and its equipment are costly. Granted, we get what we pay for right here, however it’s a bit a lot.
• It doesn’t match on inflexible, huge straps (i.e. my important backpacking packs). That’s one other actual bummer for me, as that was my major motive for buying it.
• If you happen to’re capturing with a Fujifilm X-T1, you must take away the short launch plate to get to the battery.

Granted, these minor niggles are all fairly private – I can see most photographers being utterly happy with the Seize Clip, however I believed I’d point out them anyway.

Peak Design Seize Clip Evaluate | Ultimate Phrases

The Seize Clip V3 works completely on my Osprey backpack.

I didn’t actually count on to love the Seize Clip, however just a bit time within the subject and I discovered that I cherished it.

It’s just about what I used to be on the lookout for so far as backpacking goes. No extra carrying my digicam in hand or utilizing a chest harness (which I discover uncomfortable when I’ve a fully-loaded backpacking pack on as properly).

The Peak Design Seize Clip is gentle, straightforward to make use of, retains the digicam/lens/and so on. on the prepared, and works on all kinds of straps. It’s one of many finest digicam mounting units I’ve used.

I like attaching it to my Osprey backpack on lengthy day treks. I’m positive I’ll discover a option to get it onto my bigger pack too. Simply must mess around with it a bit extra, I think.

Extremely Really useful, and a steal for the worth. Don’t see any want for a Peak Design Seize v4 – this one is near excellent.