The 3 Legged Thing Ultra Clamp is an Arca-Swiss compatible quick-release clamp with a neat party trick: it gives your tripod or monopod head both a twist knob and a lever release. You can use the knob to set the tension, then enjoy the speed of the lever when mounting or removing your camera.

　　3Legged Thing Ultra Clamp at a glance: £49.99 with quick release plate £34.99 without plate Dual lever-and-twist control Weight 98g Magnesium-alloy construction 3/8in-16 camera/accessory thread 3leggedthing.com In practice, the system works very well. Although quite skinny, the knurled knob is easy to grip and makes fine adjustments fairly straightforward, while the lever closes with a reassuringly positive action. There’s also a security catch that must be released by pressing before the lever can open fully, reducing the chance of an expensive accident.

　　The lever can be configured for either left or right-handed operation, which also helps when another control on the head might otherwise get in the way. There are also recesses in the clamp engage with safety pins on compatible plates (although the supplied plate doesn’t have any such pins).

　　3 Legged Thing Ultra Clamp key features: Dual controls: The twist knob sets the tension, while the lever enables quick mounting and release Safety catch: A secondary catch helps prevent the lever from opening accidentally Reversible lever: The lever can be configured for left- or right-handed operation Accessory support: The 3/8in-16 bolt can hold a camera, monitor or light etc. 3 Legged Thing Ultra Clamp in use: At 7.5cm wide and 98g, the Ultra Clamp is compact and lightweight. It works well with the supplied square quick-release plate or one of 3 Legged Thing’s L-brackets, enabling quick switches between landscape and portrait orientation without repositioning the head.

　　While it’s most likely to be used to hold a camera, the Ultra Clamp can support accessories such as a monitor or light, turning it into a small quick-release hub. It’s useful for anyone who switches accessories regularly.

　　The magnesium-alloy construction feels solid and well finished, and the Ultra Clamp holds the plates and L-bracket I tried securely, with no sign of creep or unwanted movement. However, it’s not a case of setting the tension only once using the knurled knob, as this may need adjusting depending on what the tripod head is supporting. Nevertheless, the Ultra Clamps combination of quick operation, adjustable tension, flexible mounting and QD port (see the box out) makes it an attractive alternative to a more basic clamp.

　　3 Legged Thing also offers the Ultra Clamp Naked for £34.99. It has exactly the same magnesium-alloy construction and dual twist-and-lever control, but comes without a quick release plate. Both versions are available in Lava, with orange and black detailing, or the more discreet all-black Darkness finish.

　　QD compatibility

　　The Ultra Clamp’s quick-release plate features a QD mount, enabling it to connect directly to 3 Legged Thing’s Axis camera straps. This makes it easy to switch between carrying the camera on a strap and mounting it on a tripod, because you don’t have to remove or replace the plate.

　　3 Legged Thing Ultra Clamp: Our Verdict The Ultra Clamp is a cleverly designed and nicely made upgrade for an Arca-Swiss compatible tripod head. Its dual lever-and-twist mechanism combines speed with precise tension control, while the square base, reversible lever and the quick release plate’s QD port add versatility. The safety catch is well-integrated so it doesn’t slow the use of the clamp.

　　Related reading:

　　3 Legged Thing Axis 34 review – is this the future of camera straps? 3 Legged Thing Lexie review – a tripod bracket that’ll fit almost any camera 3 Legged Thing Ultra Plates review Do you want to win some great prizes for your photography? Enter your photos in our International Amateur Photographer of the Year competition. Free entry for photographers aged 13-21.

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　　3 Legged Thing Ultra Clamp with Plate, Lava

　　3 Legged Thing Ultra Clamp with Plate, Darkness

　　3 Legged Thing Ultra Clamp without Plate, Lava

　　3 Legged Thing Ultra Clamp without Plate, Darkness