Peak Design Clutch Review

The Peak Design Clutch is designed to be used with DSLRs or some mirrorless cameras with deep grips. While it is potentially compatible with both types of cameras, using it with a DSLR will transform the way you hold and use your camera, whereas with most mirrorless camera even many with relatively deep grips, it will likely result in dissatisfaction.

The reason for this is that on a DSLR, the Clutch attaches to your camera’s strap lug, and the Standard plate bolts into the 1/4-inch thread on the bottom of your camera. The padded strap now attached, allows you to slide your hand between the strap and the camera, creating a comfortable and secure hold. Once your hand is in place, you can adjust the strap to hold the camera safely so that it stays attached to you even if you open your hand it stays in place. Obviously do this without the Clutch and the camera will simply plummet to the ground and smash.

Additionally, the position of the strap and pad ensures that your index finger can still access the shutter button and other controls.

It’s worth noting that when you attach the Clutch to a Sony A7 III, the strap and pad are in the wrong position. This is because the Clutch is not designed for mirrorless cameras. As a result, it can be difficult to reach the shutter button, especially if you’re not double-jointed. While a DSLR user will be overjoyed with the improvement the Clutch makes to their camera handling, a mirrorless camera user is unlikely to feel the same way.

Finally, the baseplate is Arca Swiss compatible, which means you can easily attach the camera to a support, such as the Peak Design Travel Tripod.

Attaching the Clutch to your camera takes a few minutes, and Peak Design has kept the process as minimal and streamlined as possible. First, the Standard Plate needs to be attached to the camera using a small Allen key. While this is relatively straightforward, forgetting the key that Peak Design supplies could be problematic, as there is no slot or fold-down loop option.

However, once the Clutch is attached, it’s an accessory that most users will likely leave in place, especially the base plate. The Standard Plate is Arca Swiss compatible, so there’s no need to remove it unless you want to and it’s Capture Clip V3 compatible as well.

It’s worth noting that the Standard Plate comes with Anchor links to attach to the main part of the Clutch. This means that when you want to remove the Clutch, you can leave the Standard Plate in place. The Standard Plate also has a slim profile, so even when it’s left in place on the base of the camera it doesn’t add too much bulk. This means that while it’s an obvious attachment, it’s not as obtrusive as leaving a standard, large tripod baseplate in place all the time.

Once the Standard Plate is attached, the Clutch loop can be slipped through the strap lug and secured using the small spring-loaded latch. Despite being small and light, the Clutch makes a big difference to the handling of your camera.

One issue to report here is that when Angela was mounting a Clutch on a camera, the spring in the clip slipped out of one of the holes that keeps it in position and propelled itself across the room never to be found. This mean that the strap couldn’t be attached completely securely. Peak Design was quick to replace the unit.

As you start to use the camera the first thing you’ll notice is how much easier it is to carry. The Clutch essentially straps the camera to your hand, so you don’t have to tightly hold the grip. When you’re ready to take a picture, you can do so as normal.

As part of the Peak Design Capture Series, the Clutch is fully compatible with the Capture Clip V3, which means you can clip it to your Capture Clip V3 attached to a belt or bag strap. Additionally, the baseplate is Arca Swiss compatible, so you can attach it to a tripod, such as the Peak Design Travel Tripod or any tripod that accepts compatible plates.

When used with a DSLR, the Clutch significantly improves the comfort of carrying your camera in your hand. It’s much more convenient than having a strap wrapped around your wrist, especially during workshops or events.

However, there are still occasions when a strap would be advantageous, and during this test, I also explored using the Peak Design Slide Lite with the anchor system as a way to easily link the two together when needed. However, it’s worth noting that the section of the Clutch that connects to the camera strap lug doesn’t use a Peak Design Anchor loop, so it isn’t as quick to remove.

The Clutch is also helpful when walking around as it allows for quick mounting and unmounting of the camera from a tripod, giving you the freedom and control to switch from handheld to supported shooting in seconds.

At the end of the test, I have to say that I’m impressed with the Clutch. While the one I have in the test is still relatively new, I have met a few people who have already become big converts to the Clutch for their DSLR systems, and especially when shooting wildlife.

The additional security and support when carrying the camera is hugely beneficial, and the addition of the baseplate gives extra flexibility when using a monopod.

The one thing that stood out was the more they’re used, the more the Clutch shaped to the user’s hand, and the more comfortable the Clutch became to the point that it just felt like part of the camera.

For DSLR users who shoot freehand sports, wildlife, and general fun, the Clutch is a great and relatively inexpensive way to improve the handling and comfort of your camera. For Mirrorless users, it’s worth checking out your local camera store/shop to see if it works with your system and whether your grip and button positions are right; otherwise, I hope that Peak Design will make a Mirrorless version soon.

It’s also important to keep an eye on the spring in the clip that secures the Clutch strap in the camera lug and make sure that it doesn’t slip out of it’s retaining holes.