Wimberley Professional Photo Gear - Quick Release Clamps

The "Arca-Swiss Style" Quick-Release Geometry The "Arca-Swiss Style" Quick-Release Geometry refers to the open-cavity dovetail quick-release system developed decades ago by Arca-Swiss for use with their Monoball ball heads and large format cameras. After the extreme popularity of the Arca-Swiss B-1 ball head in the 1990s, other companies began manufacturing custom camera-body and lens plates using this geometry. Since then, this geometry has become the industry standard for high-end tripod heads (particularly in the nature photography industry). The figure below shows the basic dimensions of the dovetail used in this system:

The Wimberley Head Version II, Sidekick, and other clamps use this quick-release system, so any lens that you wish to connect to our heads must be equipped with an Arca-Swiss style lens plate or replacement foot. Manufacturers that use the Arca-Swiss Style Quick-Release Geometry include:
Acratech Arca-Swiss Foba Giottos (only on their most recent line of ball heads & plates) Hejnar Jobu Kirk	Markins Novoflex (only on some of their products) Promediagear Really Right Stuff Studioball Wimberley

C-12 Quick Release Clamp - Compatibility

Blemished version available

C-12 Quick-Release Clamp ($79.00) - Length: 2.5" What's Included

The C-12 replaces our C-10 Clamp. The geometry of the C-12’s central mounting holes, combined with the large selection of fasteners that are included with the clamp allow you to securely attach the clamp to a much wider variety of equipment than any other clamp on the market. It is important that you use the removal and installation instructions on our clamp compatibility section to determine which fasteners are needed for your particular application.

Download Product Instructions -

Ball Head Compatibility

(Click on a ball head below for detailed instructions on how to install the C-12. The C-12 is compatible with a wide variety of ball heads. If your head is not on this list, click here for appropriate instructions for attaching the clamp based on the stem configuration of your ball head.)

Arca-Swiss B1	Gitzo 1780	Vanguard SBH-30
Arca-Swiss Z1	Gitzo 2780	Vanguard SBH-50
Cullmann 40200	Gitzo 3780	Vanguard SBH-100
Cullmann 40170	Linhof Profi II	Vanguard SBH-250
Cullmann 40180	Linhof Profi III	Vanguard SBH-300
Cullmann 40190	Manfrotto 488	Feisol CB-70D
Feisol CB-50D	Manfrotto 468MG	Manfrotto MH055M0-Q5
FLM Centerball 58 FT	Manfrotto 468MGRC0	Manfrotto MH054M0-Q2
Giottos M-H 1000	Manfrotto 468MGRC2
Giottos M-H 1001	Manfrotto 468MGRC3
Giottos M-H 1300	Manfrotto 468MGRC4
Giottos M-H 1301	Manfrotto 468MGRC5
Giottos M-H 2000	Manfrotto 488RC0
Giottos M-H 3000	Manfrotto 488RC4
Giottos M-H 3300	Manfrotto 498
Gitzo 1177M	Manfrotto 490RC4
Gitzo 1277M	Manfrotto Proball 468
Gitzo 1278M	Novoflex Ball 30
Gitzo 1377M	Really Right Stuff BH-40
Gitzo 1378M	Really Right Stuff BH-55 LR

Lens Plate Compatibility

Our quick-release clamps use the "Arca-Swiss style" geometry and are therefore compatible with all Arca-Swiss style lens plates.

Safety Stop Compatibility

Our clamps have special grooves that allow for greater fore-aft adjustment when using lens plates that have safety stops.

View Safety Stop Video

Installation Instructions

For other types of equipment, or if your head is not listed on our Ball Head Compatibility page: Click on the picture below that best matches the mounting geometry of your equipment. (Not all ball heads on the market are compatible.)

M6 Threaded Hole + Key	M6 Threaded Hole (Deep)	M6 Threaded Hole (Shallow)	3/8” Threaded Hole	3/8” Threaded Hole + Key

M3 Threaded Holes (qty. 3)	1/4” Threaded Stud	3/8” Threaded Stud