Kirk QRC-1 QD quick release with QD mount

Kirk QRC-1 QD quick release clamp with QD mount for flexible camera straps

Sometimes your favorite camera or tried-and-true telephoto lens is just missing one small detail to make everything run really smoothly. This is exactly where the Kirk QRC-1 QD quick release clamp with QD mount comes into play. It is the smallest quick release clamp in the Kirk lineup with an integrated QD strap mount and turns existing plates into truly comfortable carrying and working solutions.

The QRC-1 is simply placed on an existing camera plate, an L-bracket or a lens plate with a 38 mm dovetail profile and secured with the screw clamp. This allows you to use the Magpul QD system on plates that do not have a QD mount from the factory. No conversion, no special tools, no big fuss. You screw the mini clamp on, tighten it, and immediately have a clean QD interface at your disposal.

To use the integrated QD strap mount, you need a suitable strap with QD strap anchors. You can find such straps here: Straps with QD strap anchors.

Arca-style compatible, versatile quick release clamp for common dovetail systems

According to the manufacturer, the Kirk QRC-1 is Arca-style compatible and accepts plates with a 38 mm dovetail profile. This includes not only classic Arca-style plates, but also Really Right Stuff dovetail, Wimberley dovetail, Pro Media Gear dovetail and of course Kirk dovetail. If you are already using an ARCA-based setup, the QRC-1 integrates almost seamlessly into your system.

You can find more information on ARCA-compatible solutions and matching components here: ARCA compatible systems. This lets you quickly get an idea of how well the QRC-1 fits into your existing equipment.

Clamping is done via a precise screw clamp that ensures the plate sits securely. The 2.54 cm clamp jaw length is chosen so that it offers enough contact surface without becoming unnecessarily bulky. Especially on smaller setups or narrow L-brackets, it feels pleasantly unobtrusive.

With QD strap anchor mount, more carrying comfort for camera and lens

The integrated QD strap mount is the real highlight of this quick release clamp. A single QD interface, but with a big effect in everyday use. You can secure your camera or lens to a QD-capable strap in no time and just as quickly release it again when the setup is supposed to go onto the tripod. No fiddling with carabiners, no constantly swapping straps around.

The QD-compatible mount is positioned so that the strap carries the camera or lens as evenly as possible. This is especially noticeable during longer sessions, at events or when traveling, because the weight is distributed more comfortably. It just feels more balanced when the strap is not hanging half crooked from some eyelet.

Important for use: You need a strap with suitable QD strap anchors that lock into the QD strap mount. A selection of such straps can be found here: Straps with QD strap anchors.

Made in the USA, precise manufacturing from black anodized aluminum

The Kirk QRC-1 is made in the USA and uses a robust aluminum housing. The material is strong yet lightweight, making it ideal for mobile use. At only 44 g, the quick release clamp is hardly noticeable in your bag, but all the more so in daily use because it noticeably improves handling.

The surface is black anodized, which not only provides a discreet, low-reflection look, but also increases resistance to scratches and weather influences. Especially if you are outdoors a lot – in the rain, in the city, in the mountains – such a durable finish is not a luxury, but simply practical.

With a length of 7.02 cm, a width of 2.54 cm and a height of 1.96 cm, the QRC-1 is very compact. It barely adds bulk to the plate and integrates well into existing setups without bumping into anything or constantly getting in the way. We would say: small, but pretty useful.

Precise engraved center mark for exact alignment

On the top of the quick release clamp there is an engraved center mark. This marking helps you align the camera or lens centered in the clamp. Especially if you frequently switch between portrait and landscape format or use different plates, such a clear reference line is surprisingly helpful.

The engraved center mark makes it easier to find a previously set position again. You can virtually memorize certain setups and quickly reproduce them later without having to estimate anew each time where the optimal balance lies. For anyone who likes to work in a structured way, this is a small but fine detail.

Thought-out design for everyday use in photo and video work

The Kirk QRC-1 QD quick release clamp with QD mount is deliberately designed as an add-on for existing Arca-style compatible systems. It turns simple plates, L-brackets or lens plates with a 38 mm dovetail profile into a flexible interface for QD straps. This applies to Arca-style compatible (according to the manufacturer) 38 mm dovetail as well as to Really Right Stuff, Wimberley, Pro Media Gear and Kirk dovetail.

The screw clamp ensures reliable fixing without the need for constant retightening. At the same time, the system remains modular: you can remove the QRC-1 at any time, place it on another plate or use it on a different setup. Anyone using multiple cameras or lenses benefits from this flexibility.

Ultimately, the QRC-1 is a small, specialized quick release clamp that solves a very specific problem: missing QD mounts on existing plates. If you prefer to use your equipment efficiently instead of buying everything twice, this part fits the bill quite well. It is not a spectacular gadget, more of a quiet helper that works in the background to keep your workflow running more smoothly.