This is an excellent product. Well made and well worth the money. I gave it four stars because of what I consider to be a design flaw. Not a deal breaker, mind you, but still something to consider. Another reviewer pointed out that the bottom of the clamp has a cross-shaped inset where the hole for the screw adapter is located. When you screw the adapter into the hole from the top of the clamp, the adapter does not go all the way to where the device (monopod head, ball head, tripod head, etc.) meets the bottom of the clamp. There is a space of one-eighth of an inch (4 mm) before the 1/4-20 screw meets the adapter. This means that only a small part of the 1/4-20 screw actually seats in the adapter. With most of the devices (ball heads, monopods, etc) I tried, the fit does feel secure, but it still makes me nervous. The adapter screw which comes with the clamp measures as follows: 1) From the top of the screw head to the bottom of the adapter it is 8mm; 2) The actual threaded portion measures 6mm. A better adapter would measure (at maximum) 12 mm from the top of the screw head to the bottom of the adapter and 10mm of actual threads. That would take the adapter down to where the bottom of the adapter would meet the device that was being screwed into the clamp.
I have tried to find a longer adapter, but so far have had no luck. If anyone knows where to get one, please let me know.
There is an alternative way to use the adapter. It's not perfect, but does seem to work better. Instead of screwing the adapter into the top of the clamp, take the adapter, reverse it and screw it into the device's 1/4-20 screw so that the adapter head is at the bottom. Then screw the device into the bottom of the clamp. I can't tell you how many extra mm of hold this gives, but it feels like a more solid hold. One note of caution. When you unscrew the device from the clamp, the adapter also unscrews but does not always stay with the screw on the device, so be sure to make sure it does not fall off on the ground where it could easily get lost. It might be wise to go to a camera store and pick up some spares just in case.
February 5, 2014 update:
I found another way to attach the Desmond clamp to a quick release plate. 1) Screw the bushing into the Desmond from the top as it is normally done. 2) Remove the 1/4 x 20 screw from the quick release plate (if it cannot be removed, this idea won't work). 3) Take the Desmond clamp and quick release plate to a hardware store where you can purchase individual 1/4 x 20 screws. 4) Find a screw and a compatible split ring washer that can go up through the bottom of the quick release plate and screw into the bushing on the Desmond. The screw should be just long enough to get well up into the bushing without going above it. Also, check the screw head to make sure it will not interfere with attaching the quick release plate back onto the ball head. The purpose of the split ring washer is to keep the screw from loosening up when the Desmond clamp/ quick release plate unit is rotated on the tripod. This should provide a more solid way to use the Desmond.
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