PROpad for Capture Camera Clip First Impressions

Nero

Senior Member
So as I mentioned in the "latest purchases" thread I just bought this to help ease the strain on the clip itself from the weight of the camera and lens. Well, I know at least one person here is interested in getting it as well so for them and anyone else who might want to get this in the future I thought I'd post what I think about this product.

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The pad is built well and just by feeling it you can tell this thing is tough which isn't a surprise since this is PeakDesign we're talking about here but the best part is that it's only about 30 bucks US (40 Canadian) which is a great price. In terms of design, the PROpad features a flap at the front and a slot behind it. The flap is used for hooking up the camera clip when hanging the pad off of a belt (which is fed through the slot just like you feed it through those slot on your pants/shorts/whatever.) Finally, as you can see, the PROpad also comes with two additional screws for the camera clip that are actually twice as long as the ones that come with the clip. Now depending on how you use the clip with the PROpad you might not need them but it's still handy that PeakDesign included them seeing as even if you don't use the PROpad these longer screws can make using the camera clip with thicker bag straps even easier.

When in use with a belt it looks like this:

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Now then, the pad can also be used on bag straps too although when I say "bag straps" I basically mean backpack straps or any strap that's completely vertical. I tried it with the shoulder strap on my Everyday Messenger bag which ironically is also made by PeakDesign but unfortunately when I actually attached the camera onto the camera clip it made it look and feel...awkward to say the least and it looked even more ridiculous than it did awkward so that's basically a bust. Also, the pad can't even fit through that little slot that's meant for the camera clip so if you're using that or any other shoulder bag you're better off just using your belt.

If you do use it with a backpack it'll need to be set up a bit differently (the included instructions will show you how to do it of course):

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Now of course, there's the one little detail that you would correctly assume to be the most important part of all this blabbering I'm doing: does the PROpad actually make a difference? Well, to be honest my experience with this product is basically limited to me walking around my house for 5 minutes with it attached to my belt and my Nikon D7200 w/55-300mm telephoto lens attached hanging off of it. Despite that, I'd definitely say that it at least felt like the PROpad was making a difference. My camera wasn't bouncing around as much as it did when I only used the camera clip. Obviously I'll need to get a better idea of this and I'll probably let you guys know about that as well at some point.
 
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Kevin H

Senior Member
I'll also give a review of the PROpad when I get back from Florida I tried out the Capture Pro clip and found it great except it dug into me while walking I think the pad will be the answer to that :D

Thanks @xlDeMoNiClx
 

Daz

Senior Member
S

Now then, the pad can also be used on bag straps too although when I say "bag straps" I basically mean backpack straps or any strap that's completely vertical. I tried it with the shoulder strap on my Everyday Messenger bag which ironically is also made by PeakDesign but unfortunately when I actually attached the camera onto the camera clip it made it look and feel...awkward to say the least and it looked even more ridiculous than it did awkward so that's basically a bust. Also, the pad can't even fit through that little slot that's meant for the camera clip so if you're using that or any other shoulder bag you're better off just using your belt.

Well the bag has dedicated Capture clip areas on the sides of the EDM so I dont know why you need to put it on the strap of the bag? That being said there is no need for the ProPad for use with the EDM

I haven't used a ProPad, I am used to just having it on the belt
 

Nero

Senior Member
Well the bag has dedicated Capture clip areas on the sides of the EDM so I dont know why you need to put it on the strap of the bag? That being said there is no need for the ProPad for use with the EDM

I haven't used a ProPad, I am used to just having it on the belt
Because the pad doesn't fit in that clip area. And there is a need for the very reason you'd use the pad in the first place: because you probably want to distribute the weight of the camera and lens you're attaching so it puts less strain on the clip itself. Putting the clip somewhere else wouldn't help with that.

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Nero

Senior Member
I tried the Peak Design clip and pad thing but it wasn't for me.

No matter what I did my camera rig flopped around waaaay too much.
Weird because it seems to flop around a lot less for me when I use the pad.

Oh well, nothing works for everyone.

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Daz

Senior Member
Because the pad doesn't fit in that clip area. And there is a need for the very reason you'd use the pad in the first place: because you probably want to distribute the weight of the camera and lens you're attaching so it puts less strain on the clip itself. Putting the clip somewhere else wouldn't help with that.

The guys at PD designed the bag and the areas for Capture to sit on, there is no need to add anything else to the area?

The clip is more than sufficient to be on the bag with a full frame camera and lens on it, there is no "Strain" on the clip that is any different than it being on the ProPad, My D600 now lives on the outside of my EDM (Unless it is really raining) and its been there since the start of December, I have no worries that Capture will give out, in fact I think the bag will give out before Capture.

It would be nice if in Version 2 of the EDM the bit of fabric was a thicker foam so it doesnt "droop" as much with a full frame camera on it but as I am thinking about Mirrorless, that pretty much negates the issue.

the pad makes it more comfortable to wear Capture on your belt whilst also giving you the option to go for a top mount instead of side mount
 

Nero

Senior Member
The guys at PD designed the bag and the areas for Capture to sit on, there is no need to add anything else to the area?

The clip is more than sufficient to be on the bag with a full frame camera and lens on it, there is no "Strain" on the clip that is any different than it being on the ProPad, My D600 now lives on the outside of my EDM (Unless it is really raining) and its been there since the start of December, I have no worries that Capture will give out, in fact I think the bag will give out before Capture.

It would be nice if in Version 2 of the EDM the bit of fabric was a thicker foam so it doesnt "droop" as much with a full frame camera on it but as I am thinking about Mirrorless, that pretty much negates the issue.

the pad makes it more comfortable to wear Capture on your belt whilst also giving you the option to go for a top mount instead of side mount
Just because you don't think it will happen doesn't mean it won't. Shit happens sometimes. Every product has some faulty units floating around and besides some people might want to use it on a bag strap anyway. Not everyone I've seen that has this bag chooses to use the camera clip in that particular area and for them the pad might be handy.

Nothing saying you're wrong but that doesn't mean I am either. Everyone has different needs/preferences. Agree to disagree I guess.

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Bill16

Senior Member
Have you guys tried the Spider holster pro? It tends to work very well and you can get a pro clamp to clamp onto your L bracket if you want. The only real down side that I have found is that in can cost a lot to get it just the way I wanted it. I have the double holster, but have only bought one pro clamp for a L bracket. And even so I'm still have hundreds of dollars invested. $200.00 for the double holster spider pro and $100.00 for the added L bracket clamp. So I still have $100.00 to go before it is completed the way I want it.

But if money isn't a real big issue, these spider pro holsters are very good and very strong.:)
 
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