Engineer Peter Dering says that when he was unable to find a commercially-available clip for his digital SLR (DSLR) that would allow him to safely secure it to his belt yet make it instantly accessible, he designed and created his own. After attaching a plate to the bottom of a camera and then clamping the Capture Camera Clip's main chassis to a belt or bag strap, users can grab and shoot the DSLR as quick as a gunslinger from a cheesy Western and get the snap that might otherwise have been missed. A few weeks after securing production funding through Kickstarter, the device has now attracted the attention of the folks over at Photojojo and been added to its arsenal of must-have camera accessories.
If you think that Peak Design's Capture Camera Clip system looks a might familiar, Brando's camera and video waist belt lock which we covered last year is probably what you have in mind. Unlike Brando's much cheaper product, Dering's Clip features a two-piece die-cast aluminum chassis and backplate with two adjustable, low profile screws at either end that allow users to clamp the Clip to belts or straps up to an inch thick. The clamping bolts are made from cold-forged zinc alloy, there's three stainless steel springs in the device, and two assembly screws.
Like Brando's lock, a connection plate slides in and out of the main chassis. The plate on the Clip sports a camera connection screw, and a neoprene pad, and is secured to the bottom of the camera via the tripod mount - for maximum tripod mount compatibility, the Clip's plate will fit any Arca-Swiss-style tripod head. Four tabs are positioned around the plate for those photographers who like to use hand straps.
With the main chassis secured to a belt or strap and the plate fitted to the bottom of the camera, users can slide the DSLR into the Clip with a nimble slide and click action. When opportunity knocks, the camera can be liberated from the Clip via a Delrin thermoplastic quick release button. A redundant twist lock opposite the release button prevents accidental release when engaged - adding piece of mind when out downhill skiing, kayaking, hiking or mountain biking.
The system is said to be better than a camera strap because there's no pressure on your neck or shoulders and your camera won't dangerously swing about when you break into a run, and faster than pulling open a bag, grabbing the camera and then snapping the shot. It negates the need for cumbersome and often expensive slings, holsters and vests, and the lock can withstand well over 100 pounds of force and is weatherproof.
It's available now for US$79 from Photojojo.
