User Manual

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 111101
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: [phone]
1750 Broadway St Toll Free: 1-888-665-2746 (USA & Canada)
Charlottesville, VA
22902 USA www.tripodhead.com [e-mail]
5 Year Warranty – See www.tripodhead.com/warranty.cfm for complete details
Made in USA
C-12
Quick-Release Clamp