Peak Design Capture is a metal clip that you attach to a backpack strap or belt, plus a small plate that screws onto the bottom of your camera. You click the camera into the clip, it is held rigidly, and you release it with a button. It is ideal wherever you want your camera instantly at hand without it swinging around your neck.
How Capture works
The system has two parts:
- The clip, machined from aluminium, which clamps onto a backpack, bag or belt strap with two screws.
- The plate (Standard Plate), which screws into the camera's tripod socket. It is Arca-Swiss compatible, so the camera goes straight onto most tripods too.
You slide the plate into the clip from the top, it clicks and the camera is held. It is released by pressing a button that can be locked to prevent unintended release. The manufacturer recommends always using the lock.
Capture V3 specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Clip dimensions | 8.3 × 4.0 × 2.0 cm |
| Plate dimensions | 3.8 × 3.8 × 0.7 cm |
| Weight | clip 70 g, plate 14 g, total 84 g |
| Strength | well over 90 kg |
| Strap width | up to 6.4 cm |
| Strap thickness | up to 1.5 cm (hand-drive screws), up to 2.2 cm (hex bolts) |
| In the box | clip, Standard Plate, 2 hand-drive bolts, 2 hex-drive bolts, 4 mm hex wrench, microfiber pouch |
Source: Capture specifications at peakdesign.com.
V1, V2 and V3: what you need to know
The current model is the third generation (V3). According to the manufacturer it is much smaller and lighter than earlier versions, all-metal and more ergonomic. Compatibility:
- The V3 clip works with all legacy Peak Design plates except the DUALplate v1 (discontinued in 2014).
- The Standard Plate supplied with V3 cannot be used in Capture V1 and V2 clips.
- The Field Plate (a plate with a tool-free connection screw) works with Capture V3 only.
- The Pro Pad for heavy setups is only compatible in its v2 version.
If you have an older clip and are buying a new plate, check the version. If you buy a complete V3 set, there are no restrictions to worry about.
Clip with plate, or without
Capture is sold in two versions:
- Capture with Standard Plate – a complete set you can use right away.
- Capture without plate (Clip Only) – for those who already have a Peak Design plate (for example from the Micro Clutch hand strap or a Field Plate), or want a second clip for another bag.
Plates can also be bought separately. For Manfrotto tripods with the RC2 quick release, the manufacturer recommends the Dual Plate, which works with all Capture versions.
Accessories that expand the system
| Accessory | What it does | Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Plate | spare or second Arca plate | Capture V3, Arca tripods |
| Field Plate | plate with pop-up screw, tool-free mounting, 4 Anchor points | Capture V3 only, Peak Design tripods and most Arca heads |
| Dual Plate | plate compatible with Arca and Manfrotto RC2 | all Capture versions |
| Lens Kit | carries up to 2 lenses on a strap, one-handed lens swaps | Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony E/FE mounts; all Capture versions |
| P.O.V. Kit | mounts an action camera on a strap | all GoPro models and cameras with a 1/4"-20 mount |
| Micro Clutch | hand strap for mirrorless cameras with removable plate | Capture V3, Arca tripods |
The Lens Kit requires a Capture clip or a Peak Design strap. Micro Clutch comes in two versions: L-Plate for cameras with a pronounced grip (protruding more than 3 cm from the tripod mount) and I-Plate for bodies with little or no grip.
What Capture is good for
Hiking and mountains
The most common use: clip on the backpack shoulder strap, camera on your chest. Outdoor line backpacks have reinforced, padded attachment points for Capture, so the clip sits steadily and doesn't press.
Travel and the city
A clip on your backpack or bag strap replaces a neck strap. The camera is at hand and doesn't swing while you walk through crowds. For more comfort when you slow down, you can combine Capture with a Peak Design strap – both the Field Plate and the Micro Clutch hand strap have Anchor points.
Cycling and active sports
On a bike it depends on how firmly the strap you clip onto sits. On a loose strap the camera can bounce; a chest strap or a backpack strap pulled tight to the body is a better choice.
In the studio and at events
On a belt, Capture holds a second body or a spare lens (with the Lens Kit), so your hands stay free and you don't have to put anything down.
Capture or a strap?
Capture and a strap don't exclude each other – they complement each other. The clip is better on the move: the camera stays rigidly in one place, doesn't swing and doesn't knock against your body. A strap is more comfortable when you stand and shoot for longer, and protects the camera from drops when shooting handheld. That is why many photographers use both – the Capture plate stays on the camera and the strap is attached via Anchor points only when needed. If you want drop protection without a long strap, the Cuff wrist strap or the Micro Clutch hand strap is enough alongside Capture.
Things to watch out for
- Tighten the screws properly. If the clip slides on the strap, use the included hex bolts, which also handle thicker straps.
- The plate must be tight. A loose plate can rotate on the camera body.
- Use the button lock, especially when moving over rough terrain.
Capture and related accessories are in the Peak Design collection.
Frequently asked questions
Can Capture hold a heavy camera with a telephoto lens?
According to the manufacturer the clip withstands well over 90 kg and is designed for the largest professional setups. The practical limit is usually comfort – a heavy lens swings on a backpack strap, so steady it with your hand or use a strap or belt that sits firmly.
Does the Capture plate work on a tripod?
Yes. The Standard Plate is Arca-Swiss compatible, so it fits Peak Design tripod heads and most third-party Arca heads. For Manfrotto tripods with the RC2 system use the Dual Plate.
Is Capture V3 compatible with older plates?
The V3 clip works with all legacy Peak Design plates except the DUALplate v1 (discontinued in 2014). It does not work the other way round: the Standard Plate supplied with V3 does not fit Capture V1 and V2 clips, and the Field Plate works only with V3.
How wide a strap does Capture fit?
Straps up to 6.4 cm wide. With the hand-drive screws up to 1.5 cm thick, with the included hex bolts up to 2.2 cm.
Can the camera fall out of the clip on its own?
The camera is held rigidly and released by pressing a button. The manufacturer notes that without the button lock engaged there is a small chance of unintended release, and recommends always using the lock.