[Ducati] 996: Valve adjustment specs and MBP collets?

[Obaa]

While my bike is torn down for a fuel leak, I'm going
to go through it and give it a tune-up a bit earlier
than scheduled.  I know that Ducati has been changing
the valve clearance specs over the years, and 
wondering what the current recommended specs are? 
Does anyone have any tips/tricks on how to depress the
rocker arm while measuring the loaded clearance?  The
last time I did this, I recall it being really awkward
to try and hold down the rocker (which required a
surprising amount of force) and measure at the same
time.  It seems there could be some sort of screw-type
(like a reverse clamp) device to hold down the rocker,
and free both hands to measure the clearance.
Also, since I'm likely to be waiting a while on the
gas tank parts, I'm thinking I might take the time to
order and install the MBP collets.  Are they
worthwhile to put in?  It looks like I'll need to
order special shims to work with the collets as well;
will the sizes required be the same as the ones used
with the normal half-rings?  I'm trying to anticipate
what shims would be required, so I can order
everything in one shot.

Thanks!