3/8" UNC photo thread screw countersunk head 1 1/4"

3/8" UNC photo thread countersunk screw – small, inconspicuous, but absolutely crucial

Sometimes everything depends on a single screw: camera, tripod head, quick-release plate, slider – and, in case of doubt, that one shot you absolutely cannot afford to mess up. That’s exactly what this 3/8" UNC photo thread countersunk screw is made for: unobtrusive, robust, precisely dimensioned, and ready for heavy continuous use in the studio, in outdoor setups, or anywhere in between.

Precise 3/8" UNC thread for photo and video gear

The screw uses a classic 3/8" UNC thread, just as you know it from professional photo and video equipment. This imperial standard thread ensures that it screws cleanly into common tripod heads, base plates, leveling bowls, camera plates, or adapters. The thread is right-handed, exactly as you intuitively expect when you need to fasten something quickly in the dark or with cold fingers.

Countersunk head for a flush, clean installation

The countersunk head is deliberately designed to sit flush in matching countersinks once tightened. This prevents annoying edges you could snag on and ensures that plates, rails, or brackets sit flat. With a head diameter of about 0.781" (around 19.8 mm) and a head height of approx. 0.234" (about 5.94 mm), the head fits neatly into typical millings and countersinks on photo accessories without sticking out excessively.

Durable 18-8 stainless steel for continuous use

The screw is made from 18-8 stainless steel. This is a proven grade of stainless steel that has shown itself in practice to be quite tough and corrosion-resistant. Whether you’re working in the studio, in a damp forest, by the sea, or in winter at sub-zero temperatures, the material is designed not to “complain” when things get wet, dirty, or cold. This way, the screw reliably keeps its shape even with frequent tightening and loosening.

7/32" hex socket, precise torque transfer when tightening

The countersunk screw is tightened using a 7/32" hex socket. That may sound like a minor detail, but in everyday use it makes a clear difference: the hex socket allows very controlled torque transfer so you can tighten the screw securely without damaging the head. Especially with expensive camera plates or special brackets, you don’t want to be fighting with a stripped screw head.

Important: this screw requires an imperial 7/32" hex key. A metric key generally does not fit properly here. We recommend keeping a suitable imperial hex key or Allen key on hand so you can tighten the screw cleanly and without play.

Dimensions that make sense in practice

The thread length of 1 1/4" is chosen so that it works extremely well in many typical photo setups. You have enough thread engagement to anchor the screw securely in plates, clamps, or brackets without it protruding unnecessarily far on the other side. Especially in combinations of tripod adapter, quick-release plate, and camera body, this length is a very practical compromise.

Applications from studio to outdoor

Whether you’re building your own camera plate, upgrading a tripod base, adapting a slider platform, or simply need to replace a lost screw in your setup, this 3/8" UNC countersunk screw is a solid foundation. It is suitable for:

• Mounting cameras and tripod heads on plates and adapters with 3/8" UNC thread
• DIY or tuning projects on photo and video rigs
• Repair and replacement of worn or rusty original screws
• Connections where the screw head is meant to sit flush in a countersink

Reliable connection for your gear

Especially with photo and video equipment, you don’t want to be wondering whether the screw can handle it. The combination of 18-8 stainless steel, precise 3/8" UNC thread, countersunk head, and 7/32" hex socket is designed to create a stable, repeatable connection. You mount the component, tighten it with the appropriate key, and that’s it. No guesswork, no improvising with half-suitable tools.

Note on tool selection and compatibility

Because it’s easy to overlook, we’d rather emphasize it once more: this screw requires a specific imperial 7/32" hex key. This is not included in the scope of delivery. If you’ve only used metric hex keys so far, an imperial set is worth it, especially if you frequently work with photo or video components from the international market. This way you ensure that the screw engages cleanly, the hex socket doesn’t wear out, and your connection remains reliably secure in the long term.