Benro PC-0 and PC-1 Panorama Clamps Review

Searching for a Panorama set up I came across Benro's Panorama (or Panoramic) Clamps which seemed quite economical compared to other brand names.
After purchasing and testing both of Benro's Panorama clamp models PC-0 and PC-1, I realized that Benro's design and quality have improved vastly in the last couple of years or so.

Benro PC-0 Panorama Clamp

Manufacturer Specification:
Model:	PC-0
Total width w/ screw knob:	101 mm / 3.97"
Diameter:	60 mm / 2.36"
Height:	25 mm / 1"
Height w/ base plate attached:	37,5 mm / 1,5"
Bottom mounting thread:	3/8"-16 and 1/4"-20 via bushing
Weight:	270 gr / 0.6 lbs
Max Load capacity:	> 5.0 kg / 11 lbs
Panning Scale:	0 - 360 degrees
Angle Marking Scale:	Every 2.5 degrees

Benro PC-0 comes boxed with a pair of Allen hex keys, a long M6 bolt for attaching the head/clamp directly on a ball head with M6 thread and a dovetail base plate which attaches with two flat M6 screws.
(The thread converter 1/4"-20 to 3/8"-16 pictured above is not included in the package.)

Top view of the Benro PC-0 Panorama clamp. Due to the round shape the clamp jaws have an effective length of 4,63 cm (1.82"). We can see clearly the center stem made of stainless steel and a hole with a recese for the M6 hex bolt screw that comes in the box for attaching the clamp directly on top of a ball head. There are two deep safety stop relief grooves for the M3 safety stop screws that exist under many rails or camera plates which prevent them from a free fall in case the clamp is not fully closed.
In one of the relief grooves exists a clear spirit (bubble) level very helpful for horizontal leveling of the head.
The small knob (in the left side of the picture) controls the friction /locking of the panorama base, while the larger and 4,32cm (1.7") long knob (in the right side) opens or closes the clamp with 1 and 1/2 revolutions and can also be used as a turning lever. The large knob has the new Benro design rubber ring that we see on most Benro head knobs.

Top-side view of PC-0 Panorama clamp shows clearly all engraved markings. On the clamp jaws exist five markings per side at 1/4" (0,63cm) intervals totaling a scale of 1" (2,54cm), intended to help in the alignment of rails or camera plates.
However, due to the fact that most rails and plates have decimal marks in mm and cm this is not very helpful except for the center marks.
On the clamp side exist 3 markings at 90 degree intervals.
The center markings both on top and sides have a longer Φ mark, the ones on top indicate the center of the clamp while the ones on the sides indicate the center between the jaws.
The base is marked with a degree scale from 0 to 360 degrees in 2.5 degree increments with digits every 15 degrees.

Base View with dovetail plate detached. In the base center there is the 3/8"-16 threaded hole for mounting the panorama head directly on a tripod, while on the side exist anti twist grooves for mounting the clamp directly on a ball head.

Benro PC-1 Panorama Clamp

Manufacturer Specification:
Model:	PC-1
Total width w/ screw knob:	111 mm / 4.37"
Diameter:	70 mm / 2.75"
Height:	25 mm / 1"
Height w/ base plate attached:	37,5 mm / 1,5"
Bottom mounting thread:	3/8"-16 and 1/4"-20 via bushing
Weight:	350 gr / 0.77 lbs
Max Load capacity:	> 8.0 kg / 17.6 lbs
Panning Scale:	0 - 360 degrees
Angle Marking Scale:	Every 2.5 degrees

Benro PC-1 comes boxed with a pair of Allen hex keys, a long M6 bolt screw for attaching the head/clamp directly on a ball head with M6 thread and a dovetail base plate which attaches with two flat M6 screws.

The PC-1 Panorama clamp is almost identical to the PC-0 except for size, a small difference in engraved marking on the clamp jaws and the location of the spirit (bubble) level.
Due to the round shape the clamp jaws have an effective length of 6 cm (2.32"). The same center stem made of stainless steel and the hole with a recese for the M6 hex bolt screw that comes in the box for attaching the clamp directly on top of a ball head, exist here too. There are two deep safety stop relief grooves for the M3 safety stop screws that are found under many rails or camera plates which prevent them from a free fall in case the clamp is not closed.
The clear spirit (bubble) level that is very helpful for horizontal leveling of the head, exist also on PC-1 but as the clamp is larger, the bubble level is relocated on top of the external clamp jaw, making it visible even when a rail is clamped.

Top-side view of PC-1 Panorama clamp shows clearly all engraved markings. On the clamp jaws here exist nine markings per side at 0,5cm (~0,2") intervals, helping the alignment of rails or camera plates totaling a scale of 4cm (~1.57") in legth. On the clamp side exist the same 3 markings at 90 degree intervals.
The center markings both on top and sides have a longer Φ mark, the ones on top indicate the center of the clamp while the ones on the sides indicate the center between the jaws.
The base is marked again with a degree scale from 0 to 360 degrees in 2.5 degree increments with numbers every 15 degrees.

Base View with the dovetail plate attached. Through the opening in the dovetail plate we can see the base center where is the 3/8"-16 threaded hole for mounting the panorama head directly on a tripod, and on its sides the anti twist grooves for mounting the clamp directly on a ball head.
The small knob (on the center-left of the picture) controls the friction or locking of the panorama base, while the same as in PC-0 larger and longer knob opens or closes the clamp with 1 and 1/2 revolutions and can also be used as a turning lever. The large knob has the new Benro design rubber ring that we see on most Benro head knobs.

Mounting the Panorama Clamps...

Attached on the Benro B-2 Ball Head via the base dovetail plate.

Clamp on a clamp but very versatile.

The rest of the mounting options require removal of the dovetail base plate by unscrewing the two 3/8" long M6 crews with the aid of the included long Allen hex key.

For use as base of a Panorama head, the Panorama Clamp can be screwed directly on the tripod column as any other head via the 3/8"-16 hole in the bottom. Shown here on the Benro A-298EX Versatile Tripod.
This solution would save some carrying weight, but the horizontal leveling should be performed by adjusting the tripod legs. If you are willing to shoot indoors where the floor of a room or a hall is flat and minor adjustment would be required then it might be a case.

Another option is to attach the panorama clamp on a quick release plate with the aid of an 1/4"-20 thread conversion bushing...

... in order to fit on a non Arca-Swiss® compatible head QR plate.

Like the Benro HD-38 3-Way head.
More on this in my post Create a 5 way Precision Head.

In order to attach the panorama clamp directly on a ball head, we need the supplied M6 bolt and the thick (and shorter) Allen hex key.

With a little effort the first time, due to the "loctite" bonding the screw and thread, we can unscrew the Quick Release clamp from our ball head. (In this case the Benro B-2)

Revealing the ball stem with the M6 threaded hole and the two anti twist islands on top.

Which must be matched with the respective grooves on the bottom of the panorama clamp's stainless steel stem.

Using the long M6 Bolt and the shorter 5mm Allen hex key both included in the panorama clamp box, we can mount and tighten the panorama clamp on top of the ball head.

This mounting option saves us of some extra weight if panoramas is the main reason of using the head.

Torque Test Results

Both PC-0 and PC-1 panorama clamps may be used as vertical rotators in various application including a Multi-Row panorama head as we shall see further down. All of these applications demand extra strength from the Panning Clamps in their capacity to hold offset loads. Be it at the end of a Nodal slide or by supporting a long and heavy telephoto lens.
Therefore, the clamps were tested in order to have an approximate assessment of the torque capacity.

In order to get an approximation of the mass required to move a fully pan-locked clamp from inertia, the Benro PC-0 was securely clamped on a workbench by its Arca dovetail plate screwed on its base. Next the panning base lock knob was tightened as much as possible by hand.

My usual counter balance bag consisting of sand sacks totaling 5 kg, enclosed in a strong fabric bag was put into use. After some experimentation the ~ 5.5 kg weight of the bag + rail etc. reached a distance of 8.5 cm from the center of the quick release clamp, which denotes the pivoting axis of the leveling base, before the clamp begun to creep.
This distance multiplied by the hanging weight means that the clamp can withstand a torque of ~46.75 kgF*cm or ~ 458 N*cm. By deduction this means a load of ~3.9 kg could hang offset with its center of gravity at a distance of 12 cm (4.7") from the pivot center (Gitzo method) or about 15 kg within the perimeter of the panning clamp.

The same procedure was followed for the Benro PC-1 which was securely clamped on the workbench by its Arca dovetail plate on its base. Similarly, the panning base lock knob was tightened as much as possible by hand.

To make the long story short, the same bag on the larger Benro PC-1, reached a distance of 14 cm from the center of the quick release clamp just before the clamp begun to creep as shown above.
Once again the distance multiplied by the hanging weight calculates a torque of ~77 kgF*cm or ~755 N*cm. By deduction this means a load of ~6.4 kg could hang offset with its center of gravity at a distance of 12 cm (4.7") from the pivot center (Gitzo method) or about 25 kg within the perimeter of the panning clamp. Not bad at all considering that the difference in diameter between the two panning clamps is only 1 cm.

Using PC-0 and PC-1 Panorama Clamps

These clamps can be utilized in many ways, some orthodox complying with the original purpose of their panoramic nature...

Benro PC-1 Used in Create and Use a Single Row Panorama head

Benro PC-0 and PC-1 used as vertical and horizontal panoramic rotators in Create a Multi Row Panorama head

Benro PC-0 and PC-1 used as vertical and horizontal panoramic rotators in the updated Create a Multi Row Panorama Head Ver. II

Benro PC-0 and PC-1 used as vertical and horizontal panoramic rotators in Assemble a Compact Benro Multi Row Panorama Head

as well as some others by taking advantage of this same ability.

Benro PC-1 used on Benro HD-38 in Create an Economy 5 way Precision Head

Benro PC-1 used with Benro B2 ball head on a Benro A-298EX Versatile tripod in Create an Alternative Economy Gimbal head.

Conclusion

Although Benro's panorama clamps are copies of well known brands the implementation is far above average and the cost for two clamps complete with Arca-Swiss® compatible dovetail base plates is less than the price for one of the competition without the base plate. !!!
The price difference between PC-0 and PC-1 Panorama clamps is very small. Someone has to decide between the two based on size and weigh mostly. The PC-1 is more convenient but also larger and heavier.
The motion of both clamps is really smooth with fluid feeling and the locking mechanism is gradual until complete fix. The clamp grip is strong and needs one turn of the screw knob to open or close.

Update: October 2011
Alignment Error on early Benro PC-0 and PC-1 Panorama Clamps





Update: October 2012
Assemble a compact Benro Multi Row Panorama head






I hope you found the article useful, thank you for viewing.
All Photos: © 2010-2015 S.C.Vlachos

Price & Availability:
Current price for the the Benro PC-0 and the PC-1 Panorama clamps is around US$ 85.00 and US$ 95.00 respectively shipping included from eBay

Update Sep 2015
As of this summer Benro PC-0 and Benro PC-1 are also available from Amazon.com for US$ 90.00 and US$ 100.00 respectively.


Referenced Articles:

Benro B-2 Ball Head Review

Benro HD-38 3-Way Head Review

Benro A-298EX Versatile Tripod

Create and Use a Single Row Panorama head

Create a Multi Row Panorama head

Create a Multi Row Panorama Head Ver. II

Create a 5 way Precision Head,

Create an Alternative Economy Gimbal head