Really Right Stuff PC-LR-40 compact panorama clamp with quick-release lever

Really Right Stuff PC-LR-40 compact panorama clamp with quick-release lever for precise panning

With the Really Right Stuff PC-LR-40 panorama clamp, you get significantly more out of your tripod than you would initially expect from such a small component. This compact clamp with quick-release lever was specifically designed to enable clean horizontal pans and to provide you with a reliable, modular tool for demanding photo setups. In short: an unobtrusive but extremely effective building block for panoramic photography, travel photography, landscape photography, and everything in between.

Arca-style compatible for maximum system flexibility

The PC-LR-40 is fully Arca-style compatible and accepts a wide range of common dovetail profiles. These include Berlebach dovetail, Benro dovetail, Really Right Stuff dovetail, Wimberley dovetail, Pro Media Gear dovetail, and Kirk dovetail, as well as the manufacturer-specified Arca-style compatible 38 mm dovetail. This allows the clamp to be integrated seamlessly into existing ARCA systems, whether you work with a mirrorless camera or DSLR, whether you are more involved in reportage photography, wedding photography, or studio photography.

The patented lever clamp ensures that you can mount and release plates and rails extremely quickly. The stainless steel lever can be moved into three clearly defined positions: closed, half-open, and fully open. This lets you see at a glance whether your camera is really secure or whether you still need to make adjustments. Especially in event photography or reportage photography, when things have to move quickly, this is a real advantage.

Precise panorama clamp for single-row panoramas

Inside the PC-LR-40 works a lockable 360-degree panning bearing that is specifically designed for precise horizontal movements. The scale is laser-engraved for 360° in 5° increments, allowing you to reproduce pan angles and camera positions exactly. The detents are stepless, meaning there are no fixed click-stops that would force you into specific angles. You rotate as finely or as coarsely as your subject requires.

An integrated 8 mm bubble level helps you with leveling. In combination with the center mark and the cleanly executed laser engraving of the scale, you can align your camera very precisely. Especially in architectural photography, landscape photography, or studio photography, where exact alignment is crucial, this precision pays off. For single-row panoramas, the setup almost becomes a routine task that you can perform in your sleep after a short time.

R-Mount as a twist-proof connection to the ball head

A key detail of the PC-LR-40 is the integrated, patent-pending R-Mount. This anti-twist feature ensures that the clamp sits rigidly on the neck of a Really Right Stuff ball head. The connection is designed so that the clamp cannot rotate unintentionally and you can use the ball head itself to level the panning axis. In many setups, this simply makes an additional leveling base unnecessary.

For you, this means: fewer parts, less weight, less fiddling—especially if you do a lot of travel photography or event photography. You level the ball head, bring the panning axis into the horizontal, and can start panoramic photography right away. This speeds up the entire workflow and reduces potential sources of error that otherwise like to creep into complex setups.

Mounting options and compatibility with tripods

On the underside, the PC-LR-40 features a central 1 x 3/8" UNC tripod thread. This allows you to screw the clamp in the classic way onto tripods with a 3/8" UNC threaded mount. Additionally, a 1/4" UNC countersunk screw and an M6 countersunk screw are included, so that through-bolting from above with a 1/4" UNC countersunk screw and an M6 countersunk screw is also possible. These options allow direct mounting to Really Right Stuff ball heads and to many Arca-style ball heads.

In practice, this means you do not have to replace your existing equipment, but can integrate the PC-LR-40 into most professional setups. Whether you work with a robust studio tripod or a lightweight travel tripod, the clamp blends unobtrusively yet effectively into your gear.

Modular quick-release system for “part-time” panoramic photographers

If you do not want to carry a panoramic head all the time, the PC-LR-40 is deliberately designed to be modular. It can be combined with the optional dovetail accessory TH-DVTL-40, which adds an RRS 38 mm dovetail to the underside of the clamp. This creates a quick-release system that you mount when needed and remove just as quickly.

This is particularly convenient if you switch between wedding photography, reportage photography, and occasional panoramic photography. You lighten your tripod when you do not need a panorama clamp and upgrade again in just a few steps as soon as you plan a panorama or a complex architectural scene.

Robust materials and compact dimensions

The PC-LR-40 is made of high-quality aluminum and stainless steel. The aluminum is black anodized, which not only looks refined but also provides a durable surface. Stainless steel is used primarily where stability and wear resistance are crucial, such as in the lever mechanism of the lever clamp.

Weighing only 162 g, the clamp remains pleasantly light without sacrificing stability. The height is 2.7 cm, and the base diameter is 5.3 cm. These compact dimensions make the PC-LR-40 an ideal companion for travel photography, macro photography in the field, or event photography where you do not want bulky additional parts on the tripod.

Fine details for precise work in everyday photography

Among the more inconspicuous but very useful everyday details are the cleanly executed center mark and the laser engraving of the scale. They make it easier for you to position the camera precisely and to repeat specific settings, for example when you want to build up multiple rows in architectural photography or in the studio according to the same pattern.

The stepless rotation without fixed detents allows smooth pans, which is particularly helpful for video sequences or slow panoramic pans. In combination with the bubble level, you can ensure that the horizon remains straight, even when working on uneven ground. For macro photography, where the focus is often on the smallest shifts, this sensitive control is also an advantage.

Areas of application from mirrorless to studio photography

The PC-LR-40 panorama clamp is recommended for both mirrorless cameras and DSLRs. It is excellent for panoramic photography, landscape photography, and architectural photography, but also performs well in wedding photography and event photography when you need stable, repeatable framing. In reportage photography, you benefit from the quick handling of the lever clamp; in the studio, from the precise alignment and clear scale.

In short: if you are looking for a stable, compact, and well-thought-out tool that integrates seamlessly into an ARCA-based system and works reliably both in the field and in the studio, the Really Right Stuff PC-LR-40 compact panorama clamp with quick-release lever is a very well-matched addition to your setup.

Quality you can feel: made in the USA

The PC-LR-40 is manufactured in the USA and thus follows the high production standards for which Really Right Stuff is known. The combination of precise CNC machining, black anodized aluminum components, and carefully matched stainless steel parts results in a tactile feel that is clearly noticeable in daily use. Nothing wobbles, nothing feels “cheap,” and the movements are controlled and smooth.

Especially if you use your equipment intensively—for example, for regular assignments in wedding photography, studio photography, or frequent travel—this build quality pays off. The clamp is designed to function reliably over many years without the lever becoming loose or the engravings becoming illegible. This keeps your setup consistently dependable in the long term.