Wimberley quick-release C-12 (universal quick-release clamp)

Wimberley quick release clamp C-12, universal quick-release clamp for your everyday 38 mm dovetail use

Sometimes it’s amazing how much calm enters your workflow when a single component simply works reliably. The Wimberley quick release clamp C-12 is exactly such a part: a compact, very precise universal quick-release clamp that confidently holds together your entire 38 mm dovetail setup – no drama, no fiddling.

The C-12 belongs to the 38 mm dovetail class and, as a universal quick-release clamp, is designed to harmonize with a whole range of systems. You can use it with Flexshooter 38 mm dovetail, Jobu dovetail, Arca-style UniQ/C standard, Burzynski dovetail, Leofoto dovetail, Berlebach dovetail, Novoflex dovetail, Benro dovetail, Really Right Stuff dovetail, Sirui dovetail, Wimberley dovetail, Pro Media Gear dovetail, UniqBall 38 mm dovetail, Markins dovetail and Kirk dovetail. So if you already have a colorful mix of plates and heads in your cabinet, you don’t have to sort anything out; you can bring them together sensibly with this clamp.

Arca compatible, seamlessly integrable into your existing system

The C-12 is Arca compatible and follows the widely used Arca-style UniQ/C standard. For you this means: you can continue to use existing 38 mm dovetail plates, whether they are from Wimberley itself or from other manufacturers that use the same dovetail standard.

In practice this means: you mount the C-12 once properly on your tripod head or tilt head, clamp in your existing plates and continue working immediately. No conversion marathon, no exotic adapters, no half-baked interim solutions. Especially if you use multiple cameras, telephoto lenses or special heads, this compatibility pays off very quickly.

Manufacture-grade production, precision you can feel when clamping

The Wimberley quick release clamp C-12 is manufactured in a kind of small-scale, manufacture quality where you can tell that this is not just any metal block that has been milled. The housing is made of high-quality aluminum, the surface is black anodized, which provides a robust, unobtrusive and low-reflection finish.

With a length of 6.4 cm, a jaw length also of 6.4 cm, a width of 8.6 cm and a height of 1.6 cm, the C-12 is compact but not annoyingly small. The weight of 128 g strikes a pleasant middle ground: light enough for on the go, but solid enough to feel substantial and confidence-inspiring in the hand.

Clamping is done via a classic screw clamp. That may not be as spectacular as a lever mechanism, but it is very finely adjustable and significantly more forgiving when dealing with different plate tolerances. You can set the clamping force exactly as you need it, without constantly having to worry about overtightening or leaving it too loose.

Made in USA, robust pro-level technology with a focus on practical use

The C-12 quick release clamp comes from the USA and follows what is known from the professional sector there: more functional and durable than playful. Made in USA here means that the design is geared towards hard continuous use, as is often the case in nature, sports or wildlife photography.

The clamp is designed to hold securely even with heavy telephoto lenses and large camera bodies. In combination with the precise screw clamping mechanism and the wide contact surface of the jaws, a very secure connection between plate and clamp is created. This is exactly the point you don’t want to think about in the field – you just want to know that it holds.

Universal quick-release clamp, one clamp, many systems, clear center

As the most universal 38 mm dovetail clamp in the Wimberley lineup, the C-12 is designed to cover as many setups as possible. In the center of the clamp there is a 3/8 inch thread, which allows you to mount it directly on a tripod or tripod head.

The scope of delivery includes a thread reducer bushing that allows you to adapt the 3/8 inch thread to 1/4 inch if required. This way you can use the C-12 on a wide variety of heads and tripods without having to search long for special screws.

Additionally, a set of screws for twist-proof mounting as well as the appropriate keys are included. This allows you not only to simply screw the clamp on, but also to connect it truly free of play and torsion-resistant to your head, which is very helpful especially with longer focal lengths and precise pans.

Flexible mounting, screw on, bolt through, adapt

The C-12 offers you several options for mounting. You can mount it in the classic way with 3/8 inch UNC from below or bolt it through from above. For this, various holes are available: through-bolting from above with 3 x M3, with 1/4 inch UNC countersunk head or with M6 countersunk head.

This variety of mounting holes makes it possible to attach the clamp not only to standard tripod heads, but also to special adapters, geared heads or custom plates. Especially if you want to retrofit existing heads, this flexibility is a real advantage because you are not tied to a single mounting method.

Anti-twist protection and stop, when nothing moves unintentionally anymore

To prevent the C-12 from twisting during use, it is equipped with several anti-twist options. There are three eccentrically arranged anti-twist set screws with which you can secure the clamp against rotation. In addition, it has a groove for anti-twist pins, such as those used on ball heads from Really Right Stuff.

In practice this means: even on smooth mounting surfaces and with frequent pans, the clamp remains in the set position. Especially when working with geared heads or when making precise adjustments, this anti-twist protection is very pleasant because you don’t have to constantly readjust just because the clamp has shifted slightly.

Laser engraving for center mark, orientation without guesswork

On the top of the C-12 you will find a clearly visible center mark in the form of a laser engraving. This marking helps you to align the camera or lens exactly in the middle, which is very practical for repeatable setups, for balancing on a gimbal or for aligning to scales.

The laser engraving is permanent and easy to read, so you can quickly see where the center is even in changing light. It’s a small detail, but one that is used frequently in everyday work because it makes alignment much easier.

Use with geared heads, upgrade and work in 38 mm dovetail mode

The C-12 is excellent for converting geared heads to a 38 mm dovetail clamping profile. You can simply screw it onto the existing quick-release plate of the respective head and from then on work in 38 mm dovetail-compatible mode.

This is particularly interesting with models such as the Manfrotto MA 405 Pro Digital Geared Head or the Manfrotto MA 410 Junior Geared Head, because it allows you to continue using your existing 38 mm dovetail plates instead of having to invest in a completely new plate system. The existing anti-twist protection of the C-12 ensures a secure connection so that you can work stably and with peace of mind even on smooth contact surfaces.

Further application possibilities, converting ball heads and video heads

The C-12 quick release clamp is not limited to a single application. You can use it, for example, to convert Manfrotto ball heads such as the MH054M0, MH055M0 or MH057M0 to a 38 mm dovetail clamping profile. In this way, a head that was originally a proprietary system becomes one that harmonizes with your existing 38 mm dovetail plates.

Likewise, a Gitzo Systematic ball head GH5381SQR can be adapted to a 38 mm dovetail-compatible clamping system by mounting the C-12. Video heads such as the Gitzo G2180 Video Fluid Head can also be converted to a 38 mm dovetail-compatible system in this way.

Another example is mounting the Wimberley C-12 quick release clamp on the Gitzo GH3780 ball head. This combination gives you a head that combines the stability and mechanics of the Gitzo system with the flexibility of a widely used dovetail clamping profile.

Scope of delivery and an important note on the quick-release plate

The scope of delivery of the Wimberley quick release clamp C-12 includes the clamp itself, a set of screws for twist-proof mounting, the appropriate keys, and a thread reducer bushing for adapting the 3/8 inch thread to 1/4 inch.

A quick-release plate is shown in some images. This plate is not included with the C-12. However, you can use any suitable 38 mm dovetail plate that is compatible with the mentioned dovetail standard. This allows you to configure your system exactly as you need it, without being tied to a specific plate shape.