C-12 Quick-Release Clamp

There should be a piece of

foam in the stem’s central

hole; do not remove it! Its

purpose is to keep the

stem’s bubble level from

rattling around.

Package Contents:

• Quick-release Clamp: C-12 (Qty 1)

• Set Screws: M5 x 6mm, pre-installed (Qty 3)

• Reducer Bushing: BS-100, brass (Qty 1)

• Mounting Screw: M6 x 30mm Flat-Head (Qty 1)

• Mounting Screw: M3 x 12mm Hex Screw (Qty 3)

• Mounting Screw: 1/4”-20 x 0.75” Flat-Head (Qty 1)

• Hex Key: 2.5mm (Qty 1)

• Hex Key: 5/32” (Qty 1)

Step 1: Screw the C-12 onto the

threaded stud of the ball head. Screw

it on as tightly as you can (lock the ball

head down, and really use some

muscle).

F G H

M3 Threaded Holes (qty. 3) 1/4” Threaded Stud 3/8” Threaded Stud

Page 4 Page 1

Installation Instructions (continued from previous page)

Step 3: Tighten the 3 set screws snugly,

using the enclosed 2.5mm hex key (see

note to the left if you are attaching to a

cork or rubber coated surface).

Step 2: Screw the C-12 onto the threaded

stud of the ball head. Screw it on as tightly

as you can (lock the ball head down and

really use some muscle).

Step 2: From the bottom surface of the clamp,

thread the brass bushing (Hardware Guide #3)

into central hole of the C-12. A penny or

similar sized coin can be used as an

installation tool. NOTE: Make sure the

bushing is fully installed and is not protruding.

The purpose of the bushing is to keep the

bubble level from falling out of the stem.

Step 3: Attach the C-12 to the ball stem using

the three M3 screws (Hardware Guide #4), and

tighten with the 2.5mm hex key. NOTE: Lightly

tighten all three, then go back and firmly tighten

each one.

Step 2: Tighten the 3 set screws

snugly, using the enclosed 2.5mm

hex key (see note below if you are

attaching to a cork or rubber coated

surface).

Figure 4

Top load your plate when

safety stops are used.

Top Loading:

Use this method if your plate has safety stops installed.

Open the jaws of the clamp (by turning the 5-prong knob

counter-clockwise) until the clamp’s jaws are wide enough to

clear the entire width of the plate. Insert the plate into the

clamp from the top and tighten the clamp knob. It is very

important to make sure that the clamp jaws are aligned

with the dovetail groove in the sides of the plate. Check

to make sure the plate and lens are secure before

proceeding!

Wimberley plates provide the

user with optional safety stop

screws, which prevent the

plate from completely sliding

out of the clamp should it

accidentally become

loosened. If you are using

these stop screws, you’ll need

to “top load” the plate into your

C-12 clamp (Fig 4).

Figure 3

Loading a Plate into the C-12

Description:

The C-12 is a 2.5 inch long, Arca-Swiss style

quick-release clamp. It is designed to attach to

a tripod head, or other piece of camera support

equipment (e.g. a ball head, monopod,

shoulder stock, etc.), giving you an attachment

point for all of your cameras and lenses that

have compatible Arca-Swiss style plates

attached to them. Quick-release plates are

sold separately.

Dimensions:

2.5 in x 3.3 in x 0.98 in

Weight:

4.5 oz (including set screws)

Materials:

Anodized 6061 aluminum & stainless steel

QR Geometry

& Compatibility:

The C-12 Quick-release Clamp uses the Arca-

Swiss type geometry. It should therefore be

compatible with any quick-release plate that

claims to be Arca-Swiss style (or similarly

labeled), such as those made by Wimberley,

Really Right Stuff, Kirk Enterprises, Arca-Swiss,

Acratech, Markins and others.

Note: most Gitzo and Manfrotto plates are not

Arca-Swiss style and thus are not compatible.

Step 1: Remove the three small set screws from

the center of the clamp (use the provided 2.5mm

hex key).

Step 1: Thread the brass bushing (Hardware

Guide #3) into the central hole of the C-12

from the bottom surface of the clamp. A

penny or similar sized coin can be used as

an installation tool. Make sure the bushing is

fully seated and not protruding.

Safety Stop Screws & the C-12

Note: If the platform you are

attaching the C-12 to is fully coated

with cork or rubber so that the set

screws are not engaging a metal

surface, tighten only the set screw

farthest from the clamp’s moving

jaw.

This will force the bottom edge of

the clamp into full contact with the

rubber or cork coated platform, and

thus create a more robust

connection. You can remove the 2

set screws that you are not using.

Side Loading (for plates without safety stop screws):

Open the jaws of the clamp (by turning the 5-prong knob counter-

clockwise) until the clamp’s jaws are just wide enough for the

plate to slide in from the side. Slide the plate into the jaws of

either end of the clamp (Fig. 1) and tighten the 5-prong knob.

Make sure that the clamp jaws are aligned with the dovetail

groove in the sides of the plate. Check to make sure the

plate is secure.

This method requires the jaws of the clamp to be opened and

closed minimally, and is the fastest method for loading or

unloading a plate. If you are using plates that have safety-stop

screws installed (Fig 2), you will need to top-load your plate

(see section below).

Figure 1 (side loading)

Revised 200420

Figure 2

Shown: Bottom view of Wimberley P-5

Universal Camera Body Plate with safety

stop screws installed.

The C-12 clamp has two shallow v-shaped channels machined

from the ends into its face, stopping just short of the central

mounting holes (Fig 3). When safety stop screws are installed

correctly (Fig 2), the heads of the screws catch on these

channels which prevents the plate from sliding any further.

This provides additional room for forward-backward plate

adjustment than when using an Arca-Swiss style clamp without

these channels.

NOTE: Wimberley pioneered the safety stop screw technology; however, channel

depth and screw head height are not standardized throughout the industry. Other

manufacturer’s plate safety stop screws may not be fully compatible (screw heads

may be more or less pronounced than Wimberley plate safety stop screws). Use of

non-Wimberley plates is at your own risk.

Wimberley, Inc. Phone: 1-434-529-8385

1750 Broadway St Toll Free: 1-888-665-2746 (USA & Canada)

Charlottesville, VA

22902 USA www.tripodhead.com info@tripodhead.com

Made in USA

C-12

Quick-Release Clamp

10 Year Warranty – See www.tripodhead.com/warranty.cfm for complete details

Page 2

Step 1: Seat the C-12

on the stem of the ball

head.

Make sure the raised

key on the stem of the

head is seated in the

recessed slot on the

bottom of the clamp.

Step 2: Fasten the clamp to the

ball head using the enclosed M6

screw (see Hardware Guide #1).

Use the enclosed

5/32” hex key to

tighten the screw

very snugly (lock

down the ball head

and really use

some muscle).

Installation Chart

B C D E A

M6 Threaded Hole (Deep) M6 Threaded Hole (Shallow) 3/8” Threaded Hole

3/8” Threaded Hole + Key

M6 Threaded Hole + Key

Chart continued on next page

Installation Instructions

Page 3

First, if possible, remove the existing quick-release clamp or round

mounting disc from the equipment to which you are attaching the C-12

QR Clamp.**

If you are attaching the C-12 to a ball head: Use the Ball Head Guide

below to find your make and model of ball head. The Installation Chart

contains the appropriate instructions for attaching the clamp based on

the stem configuration on your ball head.**

For other types of equipment, or if your head is not listed in the Ball

Head Guide: Find the picture that best matches the mounting geometry

of your equipment in the top row of the Installation Chart to the right (the

chart continues on the back page). Follow the instructions in the column

below the appropriate picture (not all ball heads on the market today are

compatible or shown in chart). Contact us if you have questions about

installation.

** Important Note: For the most up-to-date and detailed information

about how to mount the C-12 to your equipment, including pictures and

instructions for removing existing clamps from specific equipment,

please visit the following page on our website:

http://www.tripodhead.com/clamp-attachment.cfm

Arca-Swiss Monoball B1 & Z1

Cullmann 40200, 40170, 40180, 40190

FLM Centerball 58 FT

Feisol CB-50D

Giottos MH 1000 & 1001

Giottos MH 1300 & 1301

Giottos MH 2000

Giottos MH 3000

Giottos MH 3300

Gitzo G1177M

Gitzo G1277M & G1278

Gitzo G1377M & G1378

Gitzo G1780

Gitzo G2780

Gitzo G3780

Linhof Profi II & Profi III

Manfrotto 468MG

Manfrotto 468MG RC (0, 2, 3, 4, & 5)

Manfrotto 488 RC0 & 488 RC4

Manfrotto 490 RC4

Manfrotto 054 & 055 Series

Vanguard

Column A

Column E

Column D

Column C

Column D

Column E

Column D

Column E

Column D

Column F (back page)

Column D

Column B

Column C

Column C (use 2 set screws)

Column B

Ball Head Guide

Step 2: Tighten the 3 set screws,

using the enclosed 2.5mm hex key.

NOTE: Lightly tighten all three, then

go back and firmly tighten each one.

Step 2: Fasten the C-12 to the

stem with the 1/4” screw provided

(see Hardware Guide #2).

Step 1: Screw the brass bushing

(Hardware Guide #3) into the

threaded hole in the stem. A

screwdriver should be used as an

installation tool.

Make sure the raised key

on the stem of the head is

seated in the recessed slot

on the bottom of the

Clamp.

Step 3: Tighten the 3 set screws using the enclosed

2.5mm hex key. NOTE: Lightly tighten all three, then

go back and firmly tighten each one.

Step 1: Screw the included brass

bushing (see Hardware Guide #3)

into the threaded hole in the

stem. A penny or similar sized coin

can be used as an installation tool.

Screw in the bushing

fully. It should be

flush with the top

surface of the stem or

just slightly recessed.

If it protrudes, it

should stick out no

more than the

thickness of 2

business cards).

Step 2: Fasten the C-12 to the

stem with the 1/4” screw provided

(see Hardware Guide #2).

Step 1: Attach the C-12 using the

fastener that originally came with

the ball head clamp. It should look

like a shorter version of the M6

fastener (Hardware Guide #1) that

we provide.

Step 2: Tighten the 3 set screws,

using the enclosed 2.5mm hex key.

NOTE: Lightly tighten all three, then

go back and firmly tighten each one.

Step 1: Fasten the C-12 to the

ball head using the enclosed M6

screw (see Hardware Guide #1). If

the screw is too long (bottoms-out in the

hole prematurely), use the shallow hole

instructions in column C to the right.

Hardware Guide

Installation Chart Column

Ball Head

Use the enclosed 5/32” hex key to

tighten the screw very snugly (lock

down the ball head and really use

some muscle).

Use the enclosed 5/32”

hex key to tighten the

screw very snugly (lock

down the ball head and

really use some muscle).

Step 3: Tighten the 3 set screws, using the enclosed 2.5mm hex key.

NOTE: Lightly tighten all three, then go back and firmly tighten each one.

Set screws & small diameter stems: If

your ball head has a small diameter stem,

the set screws may not fully engage the

surface of the stem. However, because

there are three set screws, we found that

they create a rigid, twist-free connection

even in situations where the set screws

are only partially contacting the stem of

the ball head.

If you are not comfortable with the amount

of contact between the set screws and the

stem, you can use an adhesive such as

epoxy (or Loctite) to keep the clamp from

twisting or coming loose.

Screw in the bushing

fully. It should be

flush with the top

surface of the stem or

just slightly recessed.

If it protrudes, it

should stick out no

more than the thick-

ness of 2 business

cards).