The Peak Design “Capture Pro” Camera Clip mount is a solution to a problem I didn’t know I had.

It’s a bit like a iPad or other tablet. Before I got one, I didn’t need one. Now that I have one I can’t figure out how I lived without one!

 

So what is it? 

Essentially it’s a multipurpose mobile camera mounting solution. But like a verimark ad, that’s not all! It can also function as a quick access carrier mount. But that’s not all! It can become a quick release tripod mount, as well!

It basically works by screw clamping two plates together over any flat-ish strap. The top plate has a built in quick release plate that can lock in place from any of the four sides, and that plate attaches to your camera.

How do you use it?

Well, I think the active lifestyle crowd will be the bigger use group for this.

As a quick release carrier, the camera can be mounted to a belt (although I am not a fan of the sideways mount, it still works) or a harness or a backpack strap, etc. So a practical example would be a tourist. You can mount your EOS-M or point-&-shoot (although these might stand at an odd angle because of their small size) or rather a small body like a D3100 or one of the mirrorless 4/3 solutions on the quick release plate and carry it on your backpack straps on your chest.

It means you do not have it on a strap around your neck, so no swinging and bumping around, it’s quickly accessible because you do not have to dig it out of a pocket. And it sits nice and secure.

As a frequent traveler, I can definitely see myself acquiring one of these for that purpose.

That said, anything heavy like a full SLR with a bigger lens will be dragging your straps around and make you uncomfortable. Possible, but I don’t think the best solution. If you need the camera out, something like the black rapid strap system is a better solution.

On to the active crowd.

My first test was with a gopro. I mounted it on a backpack strap, right on my shoulder. The thick, padded strap did make it a bit more difficult to mount, and extension screws would be nice if you have really padded straps, but I digress. With a little bit of adjustment, I could get the angle usably right and proceeded to shoot a bow and arrow with it on my shoulder. I then did the same mount with the much heavier EOS-M and it still work pretty well.

For this use, a lighter camera will work better, but I can see how hunters can use this to record video of their shots, but also how event photographers can create video from a first person viewpoint while shooting photographs.

Using something like a GoPro or Ion has the advantage that it can swivel on its mount, so that is a bonus, but you lose the benefit if you need anything that requires less than a really wide angle shot.

But sticking with the GoPro, the ability of the plat to mount on four sides, means by just uncoupling the plate and rotating it, you can instantly change the direction you are shooting in. So, if you are hiking, for instance, you can shoot front while starting to climb up a rocky section, pause, unclamp and rotate, and continue on your way, shooting the people coming up behind you.

Anything with a harness or strap can use this mount for a first person viewing angle, although mounting it on your shoulder does give a RoboCop/Predator feel to walking around!

But I know your next question will be; how well does it hold onto the camera? Well… The plate has a small locking mechanism that keeps the plate in place until you press the release. The release in turn has a locking mechanism or safety that will not allow the button to be pressed unless it’s deactivated (essentially, the top part of the button can rotate to activate/de-activate the safety) then there is an extra locking screw that allows you to tighten the plate. Essential if you are shooting from a mount, not required if you are using it as a quick release carrier.

Failure points? Well… They seem to work quite well, and my impression was that the screw mount on the camera or go-pro housing would go first in case of a catastrophic disaster like falling off a mountain or crashing your bike into a wall. In which case, the camera mount might be the least of your worries.

Likes:

Sturdy, quite chunky. I think it can take a bit of strain, but will only know how much once you drop a camera if it breaks
Double lock safety button
Multi purpose

Dislikes:

The camera angle is not adjustable. If your strap isn’t flat, neither will your angle be.
Mounting at a good angle if you want to shoot video, for instance, is really a two man job if you want it done easy. It can be done by yourself, but it takes quite a while mounting and remounting the unit until you get your desired angle sorted.
Thickly padded shoulder straps might just be too thick to mount on. Same problem with very wide straps.

Conclusion

As I mentioned, this solves a problem I didn’t think I had. Or at best, had solved with a workable solution previously. This just does it more elegantly. Duct tape really shouldn’t be called a “solution”

While testing the unit, a few people commented and asked about it, wanting to mount various things from small video cameras to GPS units. So I think there is even more ways to use this product than I thought of, myself.

Will I get one? Most probably.

But my wife did promise Death & Destruction if she saw it mounted on my shoulder when she gives birth. So maybe I will wait a bit before acquiring my own, lest I become tempted.