Peak Design Pro Plate V1 Review: A Versatile (Though Superseded) Workhorse
The product page you’ve linked (https://www.peakdesign.com/products/lc-pro-plate) directs to the Peak Design Pro Plate V1. It’s important to note upfront that Peak Design identifies this as a previous version of their current Dual Plate. While it might still be available from some retailers or secondhand, its features and performance are best understood in that context.
The Pro Plate V1 was designed as a highly versatile quick-release plate, intended to seamlessly integrate your camera with Peak Design’s ecosystem (like the Capture Clip and straps) and various tripod systems.
Here’s a breakdown of its features, pros, and cons based on available information:
Key Features:
- Dual Tripod Compatibility (Often with Adapters): A primary feature of the Pro Plate design was its compatibility with both Arca-type tripod heads and Manfrotto RC2 systems. For Manfrotto RC2 compatibility, the Pro Plate V1 typically required the installation of two included adapters.
- Capture Clip Compatibility: Designed to work with all versions of the Peak Design Capture Camera Clip, allowing for 4-directional insertion.
- Peak Design Strap Compatibility: Features loops for attaching Peak Design Anchors, enabling use with their quick-connecting camera straps (like Leash, Slide, Cuff).
- Construction: Made from machined and anodized aluminum for durability and a lightweight profile.
- Camera Connection: Attaches to the camera via a standard 1/4″-20 screw, often with a 4mm hex drive and sometimes a coin slot for tightening.
- Anti-Twist Pad: Typically included a durable, injection-molded pad to prevent the plate from twisting when mounted on the camera, especially with heavier setups.
Pros:
- Versatility: Its biggest strength was its ability to connect to multiple tripod standards (Arca and Manfrotto RC2), reducing the need for multiple plates if you used different tripod systems.
- Ecosystem Integration: Seamlessly worked within the Peak Design ecosystem, allowing quick transitions between Capture Clip, straps, and tripods.
- Durable Build: The machined aluminum construction offered a solid and reliable feel.
- Secure Hold: When properly attached, it provided a secure connection to both the camera and the receiving clip or tripod head.
- Anchor Attachment Points: The inclusion of loops for Peak Design anchors was a convenient feature for users of their strap system.
- Relatively Lightweight: Despite its metal construction, it was designed to be relatively unobtrusive.
Cons:
- Superseded by Dual Plate: As an older version, it has been replaced by the newer Dual Plate (currently V2), which likely offers refinements in design, ease of use, or compatibility. This means the Pro Plate V1 might lack the latest design improvements.
- Manfrotto RC2 Adapters: While offering Manfrotto compatibility, the need to install (and potentially keep track of) separate adapters for RC2 systems could be seen as less convenient than a natively dual-compatible plate. If the adapters were installed, it sometimes limited insertion into the Capture Clip to 2 directions instead of 4.
- Potential for Wear (Like any Plate): Over time and with heavy use, any quick-release plate can show signs of wear on contact surfaces or the anti-twist pad.
- Availability: Being an older model, finding it new might be difficult, and support or specific spare parts (like lost RC2 adapters) could be harder to come by compared to current models.
- Compatibility Nuances with Third-Party Clamps: While generally Arca-swiss compatible, like many Arca-style plates, there can occasionally be minor fitment issues with some third-party Arca-swiss clamps due to slight variations in tolerances across brands (especially lever-release clamps). Peak Design aimed for broad compatibility, however.
Overall:
The Peak Design Pro Plate V1 was a well-regarded and highly functional quick-release plate for its time. It served as a crucial bridge for photographers invested in the Peak Design system who also needed compatibility with both Arca-type and Manfrotto RC2 tripods. Its robust build and thoughtful integration with Capture Clips and straps made it a popular choice.
However, as it’s now a previous-generation product, prospective buyers should be aware that the Peak Design Dual Plate V2 is the current iteration offering similar (and likely improved) functionality. If you come across a Pro Plate V1 at a good price and its features meet your needs (particularly if you require that specific Arca/Manfrotto RC2 adapter-based solution), it can still be a solid performer. Otherwise, investigating the current Dual Plate V2 would be advisable for the latest design and full support.
If you are looking for a plate specifically for the Peak Design Lens Kit, that uses a different type of bayonet mount and the Pro Plate V1 (or Dual Plate) would typically be attached to your camera body, not directly to the Lens Kit adapter itself for tripod mounting (the Lens Kit is designed for quick lens changes while the camera is often handheld or on a strap).
