The SmallRig HawkLock Mini Quick Release Clamp and Plate is a small speed upgrade for rigging. It is at the core of my entire gear workflow, whether I am building a larger mirrorless rig, an iPhone filmmaking rig, an action camera setup, or something in between. It is useful whenever you want to move accessories between setups without constantly screwing and unscrewing plates. Think of it as an Arca-Swiss-style system for your accessories.

The Good:

• Speeds up setup changes.

• Compact and lightweight.

• Useful for modular rigs.

• Good for action camera, phone, monitor, and small accessory setups.

• More convenient than bare screw mounts and smaller than a NATO rail system.

The Bad:

• Can loosen over time. The newer models include removable pins that provide three-point mounting, but I do not use them with my system.

• Can get gritty over time, especially if salt water gets into the system — like with most of my gear.

• Adds another plate and clamp standard to manage.

• Get it if you want to swap accessories between rigs.

• Get it if you like quick-release workflows.

• Get it if you want a smaller accessory-mounting system than NATO rails.

• Pass if your setup stays assembled.

• Pass if you want to avoid extra plates and adapters.