Before you read too far into this product’s name, let me assure you that it’s a family-friendly photography accessory. The Nasty Clamp is a basic, yet versatile, tool that can help you position a camera, flash, mic or any other device or accessory with 1/4-20 thread.
Nasty Clamps have a very simple design. It’s a basic A-clamp with a piece of Loc-Line attached to one of the handles and a 1/4-20 bolt on the other end of the Loc-Line. It’s sort of a cross between a Justin Clamp and a Gorillapod.
Nasty Clamps will support quite a bit of weight because of the spring strength in the A-clamp and the rigidity of the Loc-Line. However, because the spring strength is so heavy, you have to be careful that you don’t attach it to something that it could damage. Also, don’t get your fingers caught in the end – speaking from experience, it hurts.
There’s also a locking nut on the Nasty Clamp’s 1/4-20 bolt, which lets you properly fit different accessories. This was really a good call on the overall design so you don’t have to turn the camera or flash all the way down until it bottoms out on the bolt in order to lock it in place.
I’ve used Nasty Clamps on several occasions for mounting speedlights, LEDs for interviews, and positioning shotgun mics in troubling locations. I’ve also tested them with DSLRs and they hold up just fine with a lightweight setup. Adding a big body or heavier lenses is pushing its limits though. That said, putting a light camera and lens out of the way for a time lapse would not be out of the question for the Nasty Clamp.
If you need something with a bit more strength than a comparably-priced Gorillapod (note that the Nasty Clamp can’t support as much as the $100 Gorillapod Focus) or more flexibility in positioning, Nasty Clamps will likely do the trick. At $44 for a single clamp though, they aren’t cheap. However, when you pit them against a comparable Gorillapod and a Justin Clamp, they are a bit under those prices.
The Nasty Clamp does what it says it will do. It’s simple, sturdy and effective.
You can find Nasty Clamps at NastyClamps.com.
forkboy1965 says
This looks wrong. Just wrong.
(where can I get it?)