Manfrotto 035RL Super Clamp with Standard Stud

I wanted rock-solid support for my camera in situations where space and speed were important, also for intermittent repeat shots taken from precisely the same vantage point over a period of months and for long exposures/bulb shots.Tripods and monopods came with various trade-offs. I found this clamp and bought it on the basis of both the specifications and the reviews. It can be used for a range of things, and has a supplementary screw mount as well as the stud. But I only use the stud and for my camera equipment.Not all things have degrees of goodness. They either completely work or they completely don't work. This is something that works 100%.Italian made. A simple but high quality industrial standard of build and materials. A good instruction leaflet, in case you lose your intuitive powers.It's a little chunky to fit in a pocket and, according to specs, weighs 1.2 pounds. So, if you pack it it in a camera case with lenses etc., make sure they are protected from it.The jaws open to a max capacity of 1.25 inches. Without the wedge adaptor - but with care - I managed to secure it to a 2.6 inch board and again to a 3/8 inch thick flange. And, of course, it will accommodate a pipe, or similar shape, up to at least 2 inch diameter. When you tighten them, take care that you don't crush something.The stud holds the camera about an inch above the clamp. For me, that was enough to clear any obstructions.One end of the stud has a standard quarter-inch thread for your camera etc.. The other end is hexagonal to mate with the clamp. The clamp has a quick-release press-in knob and a well-sized thumbscrew to secure the stud completely.So, you can remove the camera and stud to rotate them or stow them; that's a form of quick release, if you're happy with the length of the stud in the camera. However, I've used a ball head and quick-release plate - both Cullmann - for over 20 years, so I wanted to transfer them to this clamp. They did. The whole setup is as good as it gets. There are other adaptors and accessories that you could use to mount camera, flash, reflector, etc. simultaneously.The thumbscrew also secures a removable wedge, which fits into one jaw of the clamp and turns it from something to use on a pipe to one on, e.g., a tabletop or plank.I had a minor quibble with the thumbscrew. It can get in the way of your fingers when securing the clamp to an object. But it's not impossible to deal with; I soon adapted to it. A little more thought at the design stage would have avoided this.You can use the clamp anywhere there's a lump of the right dimensions. I've used it on a table top, deck rail, car steering wheel, branch, chair leg, door, etc. This clamp is as reliable and immovable as the thing you secure it to. No duck tape required unless it gives you pleasure.I wish I'd bought one sooner, and recommend it without hesitation.

I use these clamps mainly to hold a rain umbrella on my monopod when I have shoots in the rain. It's a well made clamp that clamps things, I'm not sure what else to say about it. I bought the Manfrotto super clamp and a cheaper Limo Studios knock off to see if there was some major difference. The short answer is no, not really. You can stop reading here if you're impatient.That being said though the Manfrotto does seem to have better fit and finish. For example they both come with a little rubber triangle that fits in the jaws for when you're clamping to a flat surface like say a table. The Manfrotto piece fits snugly on the clamp both when you're using it and when your not it's molded well out of good material. The Limo Studios one....well that one is gone it fell off some where because it never fit properly it was misshapen from the get go. Similar story with the brass binding post the Manfrotto post is machined well, fits in place snug and has no jagged or sharp edges. I'd totally trust the Manfrotto product to hold my expensive studio equipment. The Limo post is sharp enough to sever an artery, fits with tons of slop but tightens down fine enough. Would I dangle an expensive strobe head off of it, I'd probably rather not. The handle used to tighten the clamps on the Manfrotto is long enough to do the job but not so long that it gets in the way when you're using it in tight spots. The handle on the Limo is too long and hits everything it seems. Bottom line is that if I were using it in a studio to hold lights, modifiers and backgrounds I'd spring for the Manfrotto clamps. If you just need to hold an umbrella on your monopod get the Limo clamps, they're good enough.

Work's perfectly!

These clamps are so incredibly useful for many different jobs. They are primarily designed for clamping to light stands, booms or tripods, but will clamp onto just about anything. Motorcycles and vehicles, fence or patio rails, doors, tables, and counters are just the beginning. The included wedges make these clamps easy to use on flat surfaces.The build quality is excellent. The main clamp bodies are made form beefy thick aluminum, with steel and brass hardware. The main tightening handle is plastic, but it is very strong and I have never been worried that it might break. The side pin tightening handle is also plastic, everything else is metal.The rubberized grip surfaces are very durable and won't peel off like cheaper clamps.This clamp has one 5/8" (16mm) hex stud receiver (this version comes with a stud) and one 1/4 - 20 threaded female that is centered in the clamp. The hex stud receiver has a quick release and also a bolt with a plastic handle on the side that can be tightened to firmly secure the stud.There are an limitless pins and accessories you can use with these clamps to mount virtually anything.Accessories that I use regularly:* Joining studs: Manfrotto 061RA Right Angle Joining Stud for Super Clamp and Manfrotto 061 Joining Stud for Super Clamps - Replaces 2913* 1/4" male for the 1/4" threads Smallrig 1/4" Male to 1/4" Male Threaded Screw Adapter (2-pack)* 3/8" Stud Manfrotto 036- 38 Stud for Super Clamp with 3/8-Inch European Thread or Manfrotto 088 Stand 1/4-20-Inch Female to 3/8-Inch Male 20mm Long Adapter - Replaces 3103 for included 1/4" stud* Short stud Manfrotto 037 Reversible Short Stud - Replaces 2907* Perfect fit hex stud grip head Kupo Grip Head with Hex Stud KG202011* Full size pin Avenger E600C 5/8-Inch Snap-In Steel Pin for Super Clamp* Magic arm Manfrotto 244 Variable Friction Magic Arm with Camera Bracket - Replaces 2929You can even use 3/8 to 5/8 microphone thread adapters to mount full size microphones with this clamp.The possibilities are pretty much endless.I have tried a few of the cheaper knock-off super clamps from various vendors, but none of them came close to matching the original Manfrotto build quality. these clamps might seem a bit expensive compared to the knockoffs, but they will last forever and you really do get a better clamp for the extra money.