Peak Design, a progressive manufacturer of DSLR and GoPro camera-carrying accessories, had developed the Capture Pro, an innovative solution for attaching your camera to the belt of your pants, a bag strap, or the strap of a backpack. Our long term test of the Capture Pro and GoPro P.O.V. Kit accessory revealed there is a lot to like about Peak’s versatile and flexible system.
Peak Design got its start when founder, Peter Dering, launched the original Camera Capture on Kickstarter in 2010. Dering was frustrated by many of the conventional solutions for carrying his DSLR camera, and developed a dynamic solution that would not only tote your camera, but also host an array of accessories. Many other photographers could relate to this issue, and the company has grown rapidly since.
The Capture Pro consists of two aluminum plates connected by two adjustable screws and is meant to sandwich a bag or backpack strap, or your pant’s belt. A small tripod “Pro-Plate” with a 1/4″-20 screw attaches to your camera, and then you simply click it into the top plate. A red safety knob either releases the tripod plate (with your camera) or can be rotated to prohibit the camera from “unscheduled dismounts.” A Platelock secures the Pro-Plate, eliminating wiggle and lateral movement. We tested the Capture Pro with the Canon 7D mkII, and never encountered an accidental release or any other problem which would send your camera plummeting to the ground. While you can certainly utilize the Capture Pro as a belt “holster” — it’s real mojo is being secured to a backpack strap.
Features:
» Lightweight, yet durable, aluminum construction
» Works with any camera: Full-frame DSLR, Crop-sensor DSLR, compact mirrorless or point-and-shoot
» Mount GoPro cameras with the P.O.V. Kit (sold separately)
» Quick-release lock withstands over 200 lbs. of force
» Works with ARCA-type tripods
» Works with Manfrotto RC-2 tripods with included adapters
» All-Aluminum Construction
» Converts to a tripod clamp: CapturePRO can be screwed atop your tripod and used as a quick-release clamp
» Attaches to any strap or belt: Works with straps up to 3 inches (7.6 cm) wide and 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) thick
» Change lenses with ease: Your camera locks into Capture in multiple directions, allowing fast lens changing
» Button safety lock: Twist the quick-release button to prevent theft and accidental drops
» Plate lock: Rigidly secures the quick-release plate in the clip for stabilization while taking POV video
» CapturePRO Weight: 110g
» Clip Dimensions: 4.1 in (10.4 cm) x 2.05 in (5.2 cm) x 1.1 in (2.8 cm)
» Lifetime guarantee from Peak Design
» CapturePRO comes with the PROplate quick-release plate:
— Works with all Peak Design straps: PROplate contains 4 loops for connecting Peak Design Anchors, letting you use CapturePRO with any quick-connecting camera strap from Peak Design
— Machined & anodized construction: PROplate has a smoother, harder finish than our Standard Plate
— PROplate Weight: 30g
The problem we encountered is that without a very firm backpack strap, or even a thick one, a GoPro will move about in undesirable ways due to its bulk. To determine if this would be a factor for other video cameras, we tested the mount with the Mobius HD “spy camera.” The Mobius, an option for clandestine or as a windshield mounted recording, is about a third of the weight of a Hero4 in its Waterproof housing. We were able to attach the Mobius with some minor finagling, and slide the Capture Pro high up on the left side backpack strap for a shoulder POV. Although the Mobius does not have the HD quality of the GoPro Hero4, it was a compelling angle for bike ride through the streets of Austin, Texas during this year’s incarnation of SXSW.
The Capture Pro has a tripod 1/4″-20 receptacle mount on the bottom plate, but none of our evaluators felt this was a viable option. Questioned one reviewer, “why would I bother going to the trouble of taking off the Capture Pro from a backpack strap when I could simply remove the plate from the camera?” The only other scenario would be if you purchased multiple Capture Pro’s and had them set up on different rigs, but even that seemed to be a rare occurrence.
At the end of the day, the Capture Pro is certainly an excellent option for use on a backpack or an over-the-shoulder bag strap to either complement a neck strap or as a sole camera carrying solution. The price point may put off some consumers, but if you’re someone who doesn’t think twice about taking their camera wherever they go, your neck will feel it’s a small price to pay. The P.O.V. Kit was less successful for its intended purpose in our testing, but may be an alternative to the GoPro Chesty or Head mount if a shoulder angle works for you.
+ Innovative Concept
+ Excellent Design
+ Build Quality
+ Locking Release
– Expensive
– P.O.V. Kit
Peak Design’s Capture Pro costs $79.95 and can be purchased direct, or via Amazon.
Peak Design
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