Kirk QRC-1 quick release coupling

Kirk QRC-1 quick release clamp for precise work in everyday photography

Sometimes a small part decides whether your setup runs smoothly or whether you end up despairing at the tripod. The Kirk QRC-1 quick release clamp clearly belongs to the first category. It is Kirk’s smallest quick release clamp, amazingly compact and yet stable enough to perform very well in tough everyday photographic use.

The clamp is designed for permanent, fixed mounting on your tripod or tripod head. Once properly screwed on, it stays where it belongs so you can focus on what really matters: your shot, not fiddling with the gear.

Arca-style compatible for flexible quick release plate systems

According to the manufacturer, the Kirk QRC-1 is fully Arca-style compatible and accepts a whole range of 38 mm dovetail profiles. These include Arca-style compatible (according to the manufacturer) 38 mm dovetail, Really Right Stuff dovetail, Wimberley dovetail, Pro Media Gear dovetail, the 38 mm dovetail clamp from various manufacturers, and of course the classic Kirk dovetail. This lets you continue using existing quick release plates without having to convert your entire system.

The jaw length of 2.54 cm is deliberately compact, but still offers enough contact area so the plates are securely guided and sit properly in the screw clamp. The plates can slide through the clamp and retain full mobility even with safety screws mounted, as long as they match the system.

Note on compatibility and limitations

Important to avoid unpleasant surprises later on: the clamp does not fit quick release plates from Gitzo and is also not compatible with Manfrotto’s RC2 and RC4 systems. So if you have been working with these systems so far, you should plan on using ARCA-compatible plates suitable for the QRC-1.

This system is designed to enable fast, secure, and intuitive changing and fixing of mounts. Camera on, tighten, done. No trial and error, no wobbling, as long as the plate matches the 38 mm dovetail standard.

Made in the USA, solid workmanship and well thought-out details

The Kirk QRC-1 quick release clamp is manufactured in the USA and relies on a robust aluminum housing. The material is lightweight yet rigid enough not to give way even with frequent use on the tripod head. Weighing only 45 g, your setup remains pleasantly slim, especially if you travel a lot or want to keep your equipment as compact as possible.

The surface is black anodized, which not only looks discreet but also acts as a coating to protect the clamp from wear and corrosion. In practice this means you can use the part regularly, even outdoors, without it looking worn out after a short time.

Precise center marking for exact alignment

For clean alignment of your camera, a clear reference line is worth its weight in gold. The QRC-1 offers a center marking by engraving that helps you align the camera exactly in the middle of the tripod. Especially when you need reproducible settings or want to finely balance your setup, this center marking is an inconspicuous but very useful detail.

Thanks to the engraving, the marking remains permanently legible and does not simply wear off. So even after many uses you can still quickly see where the center is without having to search.

Screw clamp for secure fixation

The QRC-1 uses a classic screw clamp. The adjustment mechanism is intentionally simple so you can quickly and precisely adjust the clamping force. A few turns are enough to securely fix or release the plate.

The advantage of this screw clamp lies in its fine adjustability: you can first clamp the plate lightly so you can still shift it a bit, and only then tighten it fully. This way the plate glides safely over the clamp until it sits exactly where you want it.

Well thought-out dimensions for compact setups

With a length of 7.02 cm, a width of 2.54 cm, and a height of 1.96 cm, the Kirk QRC-1 quick release clamp is very compact. It barely adds bulk to the tripod head and does not look clunky, even on smaller travel tripods or lightweight heads.

The jaw length of 2.54 cm is chosen so that the contact area for 38 mm dovetail plates is optimally used. You get stable guidance without having to lug around unnecessary material and weight. Anyone who travels a lot or often works on location will appreciate this slim design.

User-friendly underside with photo thread

On the underside of the QRC-1 you will find a continuous threaded hole with 1 x 1/4" UNC photo thread. This standard thread ensures that the quick release clamp fits on mounting discs up to 58 mm in diameter and can be easily combined with a wide variety of tripod heads.

The continuous hole makes permanent mounting easier, as you can center the clamp precisely and fix it permanently. Once properly screwed on, you no longer have to worry about anything twisting or coming loose, as long as everything is correctly tightened.

Safety stops and protection against sliding out

The clamps from Kirk are matched to the safety stops of the in-house quick release plates. The QRC-1 has corresponding recesses that prevent the mount from sliding out uncontrollably when the clamp is loosened. If your plate is equipped with the appropriate safety stop screws, these engage in the recesses and provide additional security.

These safety stop screws prevent accidental sliding out of the quick release clamp, even if the screw clamp is not fully tightened. This gives you an extra level of safety, especially when working with heavier setups or in unstable situations.

Practice-oriented handling in daily use

In practice, the QRC-1 quick release clamp proves to be above all one thing: uncomplicated. You insert the appropriate plate, tighten the screw clamp, and you are ready to go. The system is designed so that you can quickly change, realign, or briefly remove your camera without having to readjust in several places each time.

Especially when switching between portrait and landscape format, different focal lengths, or multiple cameras, such a quick release system pays off. The Kirk QRC-1 integrates unobtrusively into your setup and does its job without demanding much attention.

Technical data of the Kirk QRC-1 quick release clamp at a glance

For those who like things concrete, here are the most important key data of the QRC-1 in compact form, embedded in the overall context:

• Material: aluminum, black anodized for a durable surface
• Weight: 45 g for a lightweight, mobile setup
• Length: 7.02 cm
• Width: 2.54 cm
• Height: 1.96 cm
• Jaw length: 2.54 cm
• Clamp type: screw clamp with easy-to-use adjustment mechanism
• Underside: continuous threaded hole with 1 x 1/4" UNC photo thread
• Suitable for mounting discs up to 58 mm in diameter
• Center marking by engraving for exact alignment
• Accepts Arca-style compatible (according to the manufacturer) 38 mm dovetail, Really Right Stuff dovetail, Wimberley dovetail, Pro Media Gear dovetail, 38 mm dovetail clamp, and Kirk dovetail

All in all, the Kirk QRC-1 quick release clamp gives you a compact, functionally designed, and everyday-ready solution for ARCA-compatible quick release plates that integrates seamlessly into a professional or ambitious hobby setup and noticeably makes working with a tripod easier.