Really Right Stuff TA-LBC quick-release clamp for RRS leveling bases

Really Right Stuff TA-LBC quick-release clamp for RRS leveling bases

Sometimes it’s just a small part that makes the difference. The Really Right Stuff TA-LBC quick-release clamp replaces the flat mounting platform of your RRS leveling base and turns it into a precise, pleasantly fast-operating base for your camera or telephoto foot. No tinkering, no improvising, but a cleanly matched solution for photographers who really want to have their setup under control.

Precisely matched to RRS leveling bases

The TA-LBC clamp is specifically designed to replace the flat platform of the Really Right Stuff leveling heads. It can only be mounted on the RRS TA-3-LB, TA-2-LB, TA-2U-LB and TA-U-LB leveling adapters. This creates a solid, play-free connection that proves itself in everyday use, whether in the studio, in the woods, or somewhere on a windy mountaintop.

Since 2012, this quick-release clamp has been self-adjusting. This means it automatically adapts to almost all common ARCA-style dovetail profiles used in the professional field. So you don’t have to constantly readjust and can instead focus on your image composition.

Arca-style compatible, versatile quick-release base

According to the manufacturer, the clamp accepts 38 mm Arca-style compatible dovetail profiles, making it a very flexible base for numerous camera plates and lens feet. In addition, it is matched to the Really Right Stuff dovetail and works just as reliably with Wimberley dovetail and Kirk dovetail profiles. This lets you combine different components in your system without having to rethink everything with each changeover.

However, one clear note is important: this clamp does not accept profiles from NOVOFLEX and no 38 mm Dovetail P0 Slidefix profiles. These are designed differently and cannot be used directly in the TA-LBC. Novoflex profiles can, however, be adapted for practical use by slightly raising the underside of the profile with a suitable plastic or aluminum shim. That’s not rocket science, more of a small, technically sensible trick.

Made in the USA, robust materials, precise workmanship

The TA-LBC quick-release clamp is manufactured in the USA and uses a well-thought-out material combination of steel, aluminum, and brass. This mix provides stability, durability, and a pleasantly high-quality feel. The surface is black anodized, which not only looks discreet but also protects against wear and corrosion. This really pays off in outdoor use, when tripod and head often end up in wet grass or sand.

At a weight of 150 g, the clamp remains pleasantly light without feeling delicate or fragile. It is 10.8 cm wide, about 1.9 cm high and has clamping jaws with a length of 6.0 cm. These dimensions provide a solid contact area for a wide range of plates and ensure a calm, secure seating of your equipment.

Lever clamp for fast operation

The TA-LBC uses a lever clamp that proves very practical in everyday use. You open and close the quick-release clamp with a clearly defined lever travel, without having to crank for a long time. Especially if you frequently switch between portrait and landscape format, use different bodies, or quickly change from a telephoto to a wide-angle lens, this type of clamping is simply enjoyable because it saves time and is intuitive to operate.

The self-adjusting design since 2012 ensures that the lever clamp reliably grips ARCA-style dovetail profiles of different widths. The whole thing works without fiddling, so you don’t have to deal with the mechanics, but with the subjects in front of your lens.

Integrated bubble level and center mark

For precise alignment, a 15 mm bubble level is integrated. This allows you to quickly bring your leveling base into the correct level, which is extremely helpful especially for architecture, landscapes, and carefully constructed scenes. You can see at a glance whether everything is straight before you press the shutter.

In addition, the TA-LBC features a center mark with laser engraving and scale. This fine engraving helps you position plates or lens feet exactly in the center, which is a real advantage for repeatable setups, for series shots, or when working with longer focal lengths. The scale is easy to read and makes good use of the width of the clamp.

Only for RRS leveling bases, deliberately specialized

The TA-LBC quick-release clamp is expressly designed only for RRS leveling bases. It is not a universal tripod head clamp for arbitrary systems, but a specifically developed add-on for the aforementioned RRS TA-3-LB, TA-2-LB, TA-2U-LB and TA-U-LB adapters. This specialization ensures that the fit is correct and that installation is achieved without compromise.

The scope of delivery includes one TA-LBC clamp, four 6-32 x 3/8" stainless steel mounting screws, as well as one 5/64" and one 7/64" hex key. So you get everything you need for installation right away, without having to look for additional tools. Once mounted, the unit feels like it’s made from a single piece.

Notes on compatibility and practical use

Even though the TA-LBC has been designed since 2012 to accept almost all other common ARCA-style dovetail profiles, it’s worth taking a quick look at your existing plates. Standardized 38 mm ARCA-style dovetail profiles generally work without issues, especially if they come from established manufacturers who adhere to the usual dimensions.

The already mentioned Novoflex profiles are the most important exception. However, they can be adapted so that they can be clamped securely by slightly raising the underside of the profile with a plastic or aluminum shim. This is a practical solution if you don’t want to replace your existing Novoflex accessories but still want to benefit from the TA-LBC.

For photographers who take their setup seriously

Ultimately, the Really Right Stuff TA-LBC quick-release clamp is aimed at users who don’t see their RRS leveling base as just a nice extra, but as a central element of their tripod system. With the combination of lever clamp, integrated bubble level, precise laser-engraved scale, and the robust, black anodized construction made of steel, aluminum, and brass, you get a solution that simply works in everyday use and still feels trustworthy after many sessions.

So if you want to upgrade your TA-3-LB, TA-2-LB, TA-2U-LB or TA-U-LB leveling base to a faster, more versatile quick-release system without sacrificing stability, the TA-LBC is a very well-rounded option. Not spectacular in the sense of flashy, but exactly the kind of part you eventually won’t want to be without.