October 2, 2012

Hejnar PHOTO Clamp Adapter Plate Review

Another useful accessory coming from Hejnar PHOTO this time. The Clamp Adapter is a small 38 x 38 mm (1.5 x 1.5") square plate with an Arca-Swiss® compatible half dovetail at the bottom, designed to fit under a quick release clamp with anti-twist grooves beside the center hole, as many clamps have.

Its main purpose is to enable a quick release clamp to sit upon and be clamped by another QR clamp, enabling the user to change the orientation at will by 90 degrees.
This proves helpful when someone would like to mount a camera on Gimbal head but this not the only application.

The Plate

Manufacturer Specification:
Model:Clamp Adapter Plate
Height:9 mm (3/8")
Width:38 mm (1.5")
Length:38 mm (1.5")
Center Socket:
Threaded 1/4"-20
ANti-twist bosses:Two on each side of center hole
Weight:10 gr 
Material:6061-T6 Aluminium, Black hard coat anodized
Made in:U.S.A.

Hejnar PHOTO Clamp Adapter Plate bottom
The bottom side is flat and smooth with just an 1/4"-20 threaded hole in the center.
Hejnar PHOTO Clamp Adapter Plate large and small version bosses
The Clamp adapter has two anti-twist bosses on top beside the center hole which can fit under clamps with equivalent anti-twist grooves 20,40mm ( 0.8") or wider.
Hejnar PHOTO offers also a small variation of the Clamp Adapter with smaller anti-twist bosses for compatibility with Hejnar PHOTO F60 1" QR Clamp and other clamps with anti-twist grooves 17,8 mm (0.70") or wider.

Using the Clamp Adapter

Hejnar PHOTO Clamp Adapter Plate aside F012 QR clamp bottom
Photo above offers a better illustration of the matching anti-twist bosses with the anti-twist grooves at the bottom of the older Hejnar F012 quick release clamp.
Hejnar PHOTO Clamp Adapter Plate aside F012 QR clamp + screw
All and all a flat 1/4"-20 screw is needed to attach the Clamp Adapter under a clamp via its 1/4"-20 threaded hole.
Hejnar F012 QR clamp w/ Clamp Adapter Plate on Benro HD-38 head
In the photo above the Benro-HD38 3 way head is equipped with a Hejnar F010  QR clamp but due to the top plate mechanism it cannot be rotated and can be used only for the attachment of a long rail that enables a fore-aft regulation.
For the occasional attachment of a camera with a base plate longitudinal to its bottom another clamp equipped with a clamp adapter plate can change the orientation without major changes.
Hejnar F012 QR clamp w/ Clamp Adapter Plate on Benro HD-38 head closeup
The Clamp Adapter Plate enables the top clamp to be mount and secured in the base clamp. The same applies for a Gimbal head clamp which is oriented to accept Long Lens Rails but with the use of a Clamp Adapter plate a camera can be mount for occasional use.


Using with F60 1" QR clamp

Hejnar PHOTO Clamp Adapter Plate aside F60 QR clamp bottom + screw
The narrow-boss Clamp Adapter Plate can similarly be attached bellow a Hejnar F60 1" clamp via an 1/4"-20 flat screw...
Hejnar PHOTO Clamp Adapter Plate screwed on F60 QR clamp bottom view
...which screws in the same thread center hole.
Hejnar PHOTO F60 QR clamp w/ Clamp Adapter Plate in F62a clamp

Pros
Very nice design and machining.
Very good finishing and anodizing.
Very low weight
Excellent strength and torsional behavior.

Cons
Adds 9 mm of height between the two quick release clamps.

Conclusion
Although it is an accessory with a rather specialized use, it proves very useful when someone wants to change a clamp orientation otherwise impossible, like on a Gimbal head for example.
However, the Clamp Adapter uses do not stop here, as this article is the reference for some ideas coming up soon.

Note: The Clamp Adapter Plate presented in this article is a prototype / first-production unit, kindly offered for evaluation and review by Chris Hejnar of Hejnar PHOTO. Therefore, there may be some small visual differences in finishing from the final production units. For final products you may visit the "Clamp Accessories" section in the Hejnar PHOTO online store.

I hope you found the article and ideas useful, thank you for viewing.
All Photos & Photosynths: © 2012 S.C.Vlachos

Price & Availability:
Current price for the Clamp Adapter Plate is US$ 25.00 (+Shipping where applicable) and is available from Hejnar Photo online store.

If you are interested in the product, do check the Recommended Sellers page for the current valid Hejnar Photo discount coupon before ordering.

Referenced Articles:
Hejnar PHOTO F60 1" Quick Release Clamp Review
Hejnar PHOTO F010A and F012 Quick Release Clamps Review
Sunwayfoto DDH-02 compact Panning Clamp Review

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