August 26, 2013

Hejnar Photo Updated F62Ab Quick Release Clamp Review

Hejnar Photo F62Ab Quick Release Clamp overview
The Hejnar Photo F62AB clamp is an updated version of the Hejnar Photo F62A Quick Release Clamp (Reviewed back in 2011) which in turn succeeded the Hejnar Photo F010A Quick Release Clamp being one of my first reviews.
More or less the updated F62 design and specifications remain the same with the original F62A clamp but for the almost glossy black anodizing and the full laser engraved decimal scales.

The major reason for this short review was to create a reference page for the latest and updated version of this strong clamp, as it appears and will appear in various other reviews.

The clamp

Manufacturer Specification:
Model:F62Ab (Updated)
Jaw Length:2.375" (6 cm)
Weight:100 gr (3.53 oz)
Three countersunk/threaded holes:1 x 3/8"-16 and 2 x 1/4"-20
Short Captive Screw Knob:Stops at maximum opening
Material:6061-T6 Aluminium
Color:Black hard coat anodized
Hardware:Stainless Steel
Made in :USA

The F62Ab clamp of this review came packed together with the Hejnar PHOTO MS-3_8 Linear Motion Macro Focusing Stage (Review). Otherwise it comes in a padded package accompanied by one 1/4"-20 screw, ½" (1,27cm) long and one Allen Hex key. According to the standard Hejnar coding the "A" after the model name stands for the short knob version and the "b" for the black anodized knob.

Hejnar Photo F62Ab Quick Release Clamp top view
Same as all Hejnar Photo products it is machined from 6061-T6 Aluminium and is black hard coat anodized.The center socket is countersunk on top but also threaded 3/8”-16. The two outside also countersunk holes are threaded 1/4"-20 and reside 30mm apart from each other. This makes it compatible with many ball heads, pan heads and gimbal heads.
The 2,67mm dep relief grooves introduced with the previous version are here, making the clamp compatible with most if not all the brands of rails and plates equipped with M3 safety stop screws as a slip off measure. The relief grooves combined with the detailed decimal scales let a rail or a camera plate be minutely adjusted within the limits of the clamp jaws.
Hejnar Photo F62Ab Quick Release Clamp bottom view
On the bottom (or back side) of the clamp we can see the usual groove perpendicular to the center socket, to match some ball heads anti-twist bosses. Due to the side screw holes the F62 series clamps have two in line dowel pin holes which are dedicated for the proper alignment of the clamp on the Hejnar Photo series of nodal rails.
Hejnar Photo F62Ab Quick Release Clamp in pocket tongues detail
Hejnar Photo F62Ab QR Clamp uses in pocket tongues to assure smooth and linear movement of the moving jaw. This design also warrants a less dirt and debris accumulation in the return spring sockets, minimizing cleaning requirements.
Another major difference of the latest F62 series clamps is the choice of texture of the screw knobs. The old in line grooves have been replaced with a small diamond cut pattern on all short. long, clear pr black knobs.

Comparison with Original F10A QR Clamp

Hejnar Photo original F010 clamp and F62Ab QR Clamps
Original Hejnar Photo F010A QR Clamp (review) on the left and the most updated version F62Ab QR Clamp on the right. A lot of progress in the design of the side recesses, the deeper safety stop relief grooves and the more detailed laser engraved decimal scales. The 5 white lines (index marks) at 1cm intervals on each jaw are replaced with a laser engraved decimal scale at 1mm intervals and larger marks with digits in 1cm intervals. The numbers are increasing from the center (0) outwards.

Mounting on a Macro Focusing Stage
This is a nice example of utilization of all three of the mounting holes of the F62Ab clamp, since utmost rigidity and stability is needed for the purpose. More details about the clamp usage may be found in the concurrent Hejnar PHOTO MS-3_8 Linear Motion Macro Focusing Stage Review.

Hejnar PHOTO MS-3 GMFR w/ F62Ab QR clamp disassembled
The F62Ab QR clamp is retained by three screws on the focusing stage slider for maximum stability which also warrants best alignment. One 1/4"-20 flat head screw is used in the center and two M5 flat head screws are used in the side holes.
Hejnar PHOTO MS-3 GMFR w/ F62Ab QR clamp assembled
Using the provided Allen hex keys shown in the previous photo, it is very easy to mount and tighten the F62Ab QR clamp.in any orientation. Either perpendicular or parallel to the focusing rail axis.


Mounting on a Ball Head
Mounting examples depend on the ball head design. The F62Ab QR clamp can be mounted on top of a ball head stem either by screwing it directly on a 3/8" as below...

Hejnar Photo F62Ab QR Clamp with Desmond DBH ball head
Where a Desmond DBH ball head is used as an example for the illustration. All in all we need is simply to screw-on the F62Ab utilizing the center 3/8"-16 threaded hole.
Hejnar Photo F62Ab mounted on Desmond DBH ball head
In this case the ball has to be locked very well in order to deliver the appropriate resistance for tightening the QR clamp on top of the stud. Since no anti-twist bosses exist, one drop of medium thread-lock compound (like Loctite blue) on the stud should be applied before screwing the clamp and left to cure for 24 hours.
Or by using a pass through M6 or 1/4"-20 screw via the center hole.

Hejnar Photo F62Ab QR Clamp with Triopo RS-3 ball head
In this case the ball stem should be equipped with anti-twist bosses and a threaded hole like the Triopo RS-3 ball head (Review) pictured in the above illustration, the F62Ab QR clamp is attached using an M6 flat head screw with a hex socket.
Hejnar Photo F62Ab mounted on Triopo RS-3 ball head
The clamp is simply aligned, centered and fixed in place securely, just by tightening the flat head screw with a 4mm Allen hex key.

Arca-Swiss® Compatibility
The F62Ab quick release clamp, besides the Hejnar PHOTO own rails, was also tested with various camera plates and lens plates, as well as with multipurpose long rails of various thicknesses and widths. Plates / Rails tested were from Benro, Kiwi Fotos, Fotoporo, and Marumi with excellent results.

Hejnar Photo F62Ab QR Clamp Jaw on Hejnar dovetail
A closer view of the Hejnar Photo F62Ab QR Clamp Jaw clamping on a Hejnar G15-80 rail. The dovetail which represents also the standard of US manufacturers like RRS®, Wimberley® and others is more than adequately clamped and immobilized.
Hejnar Photo F62Ab QR Clamp Jaw on slim dovetail
The above example shows Hejnar Photo F62Ab QR Clamp Jaw clamping on a slimmer dovetail like the Sunwayfoto® standard. The contact area between the clamp jaw and the dovetail is even greater in this case, resulting in clamping the rail with greater strength.

For the readers that like numbers, I hereunder quote detailed measurements of the clamp Jaw dimensions, so as they can decide whether this clamp is compatible with the dimensions of their plates or rails.
Hejnar Photo F62Ab QR Clamp Jaw dimensions

Clamp Jaw dimensions        mm
Jaw Length60.35
Steady Jaw Height05.10
Moving Jaw Height05.03
Min Jaw Lip Opening31.58
Max Jaw Lip Opening37.64
Min Base Opening39.16
Max Base Opening46.64

All dimensions fall within the average limits, consisting this clamp compatible with almost any Arca-Swiss® type plate and rail.

Pros
Very nice sturdy and dirt-proof design.
Very precise machining, very good finishing and anodizing.
Excellent geometry and compatibility with almost any plate or rail with Arca-Swiss® type dovetail.
Excellent clamping strength with large clamping surfaces.
Good value for money.

Cons
None found at the time of review.

Conclusion
As the structural components of the updated F62Ab are the same as with the original F62A, little to nothing need to be changed in my conclusion. It remains a very strong and sturdy QR clamp, with large clamping surfaces with adequate contact area, designed to support heavy loads in any orientation very effectively. Vertical clamping which is a quite stressful task for other clamps is a breeze for this one. The extra detailed decimal scales add some more versatility.
Although Chinese QR clamps are invading the markets with very low prices the F62Ab a fully recommended top clamp.

I hope you found this reference useful, thank you for viewing.
All Photos: © 2013-2015 S.C.Vlachos

Price & Availability:
Current price for the F62AB clamp is US$ 65.00 (+Shipping where applicable) and is available from Hejnar Photo Store.
For the record the Hejnar F62 QR clamp is also available with long clear or black and short clear screw knobs,

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

Referenced Articles:
Hejnar PHOTO MS-3_8 Linear Motion Macro Focusing Stage Review
Hejnar Photo F010A and F012 Quick Release Clamps
Triopo RS-3 Ball Head

Relevant Articles:
Hejnar PHOTO Updated F61b 1.5" Quick Release Clamp Review
Hejnar Photo F62A Quick Release Clamp Review
Updated Hejnar PHOTO Quick Release Clamps Preview

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