June 12, 2014

Desmond Discal QR Clamp Series on Promotion

Desmond Discal QR Clamp Series

The Desmond Discal Series of Arca-Swiss® compatible quick release clamps was announced in October 2013 and finally released last January.

As I had described in the New Line of User Serviceable QR Clamps Announced by Desmond article back then; this series introduced an innovative design, which besides the Disc shape, featured a moving jaw mechanism, that can be dis-assembled without special tools.

Much as predicted in my initial post although the general design of production models remained the same, some of their characteristics were slightly altered and improved but most important I received a notice from Desmond Photographic Dist. that they run a promotion for this line of discal clamps with even lower prices that the already low.

Regarding the changes, I will hereunder summarize for each individual model with latest model photos.

Desmond DDSC-60 Disc QR Clamp

Manufacturer Specification:
Model:DDSC-60
Diameter:60 mm
Height:14 mm
Width w/ knob:92.5 mm
Jaw Lengths:45 / 30 mm
Weight:96 gr

Desmond DDSC-60 Discal QR Clamp

The DDSC-60 Disc QR Clamp remains slim and lightweight however there is a change in its unique feature of a detachable and relocatable bubble level, which in the production model may be positioned in three (3) different holes at the outer clamp perimeter, instead of the original four (4). While the larger bubble level which was fixed into one of the safety stop relief grooves, was omitted.

Desmond DBI-60 90° Bi-directional Disc Clamp

Manufacturer Specification:
Model:DBI-60
Diameter:60 mm
Total Height:24 mm
Upper/Lower Surface Distance:15.5 mm
Width w/ knob:92.5 mm
Jaw Lengths:45 / 30 mm
Weight:146 gr

Desmond DBI-60 Discal 90° Bi-Directional QR Clamp

Nothing was altered on the DBI-60 Bi-directional QR Clamp which was and still is a world first from Desmond engineers. Based on the DDSC-60 design it is forming a Disc 90° Subtend Clamp with a unique feature of two large bubble levels embedded on both upper an lower clamp surfaces.

Desmond D2X30 Double QR Clamp

Manufacturer Specification:
Model:D2X30
Diameter:60 mm
Total Height:20 mm
Upper/Lower Surface Distance:10 mm
Width w/ knobs:124 mm
Jaw Lengths:30 / 20 mm
Weight:93 gr

Desmond D2X30 Discal Double QR Clamp

The D2X30 is also based on the DDSC-60 Discal design but with two opposing circle segments removed, forming a unique slimline Double Subtend QR Clamp with minimal distance of 10 mm between the upper and lower clamp surfaces, resulting in a very low weight for a dual clamp.
Somehow, I put my finger into the improvement of this one, as the production model features safety screw relief grooves on both sides and short screw-knobs, which make it more compact.

As all Desmond products, all three discal clamp models are precision CNC machined from lightweight Aluminium with stainless steel parts and sport laser engraved decimal scales on the jaws. Their safety stop relief grooves and counter sunk center holes with 3/8"-16 thread, allow them to be installed on almost any ball head and promise compatibility with the majority of Arca style quick release plates and rails.

I hope you found the information useful, thank you for viewing.
All Photos: © 2014 S.C.Vlachos

Price & Availability:
Desmond DDSC-60DBI-60 and D2X30 Disc QR clamps now sell for US$ 29.95 24.95, US$ 39.95 29.95 and US$ 29.95 25.95 respectively and all are available from Amazon

Referenced Articles:
New Line of User Serviceable QR Clamps Announced by Desmond

Relevant Articles:
Desmond DBC-50 50mm Dual Subtend QR Clamp Review

2 comments :

  1. I bought DBI-60 from Amazon last 6 months ago and did not take a look recently. One side of the clamp cannot clamp arcaswiss type plate. It is wider than arcaswiss compatible plate on one side and the other side is fine.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the valuable feedback.
      Having had, the original pre-production samples, checked very thoroughly I had not seen any substantial difference between the DBI-60 jaws, or any incompatibility with any of the rails tested.
      However, your comment made me check a production sample which was received recently. I realized that the closed jaws' distance on one side is indeed wider by 0.85mm than the other side. Some tests showed that this difference does not affect successful clamping of Arca standard 38mm wide dovetails (e.g. Desmond, Hejnar, RRS) on both sides, but does present an issue with some 39mm wide dovetails which although wider have a thinner edge.
      Since your rail/plates seem to be incompatible with the DBI-60, I would suggest that you come in contact either directly with Desmond Photographic Dist., or your supplier for a resolution.

      Delete