Can anyone recommend a solid articulating arm? I have a few "magic" friction arms - but - they tend to sag over time. I'm trying to support 2 Red LCDs @ about 5 lbs, all up. Ideally - the arm would lock-down independently on each axis and not go completely limp when adjusting (as the magic arm does).
Thanks for any ideas!!
Hi David, although I don't have one of these myself, it's on my "To Buy" list - it seems like it might do the trick and is rated at 5KG/11lbs horizontal weight. There's a picture or two here. $99 incl shipping seems to be the best deal you'll get on it.
http://www. ------.com/new-strong-articulating-arm-support-max-5kg-horizontally-with-15mm-rod-clamp_p861.html
This is Lanparte arm :-) I do not recommend it, as ti is same friction based stuff he tried.
So are the pictures etc. in the ad propaganda? What would you recommend V.K.?
FWIW, I have used Noga brand arms (these ARE friction, I know), and they seem very sturdy. They make them in various levels of beefiness.
Other than those, you'd probably have to piece something together that uses rosettes.
There is a mini version of the original Manfrotto Magic Arm, its is VERY sturdy, but you will need to twist the knob several times to change between "moveable" and "fixed" state. This makes it quite unhandy if you need to move the screens often. If you just want to keep them in position its fine.
I used the Lanparte magic arm. It's good qulity and tough.
VFGadgets has provided an excellent solution. It's a very solid arm with clamps at all articulation points.
I HAVE to take a minute to sing some praises for VFGadgets. These guys ask for a picture of my rig and ask for the bolt pattern of the displays I'm needing to mount. Then they put the solution together for me and FedEx'ed it to me to try (without payment or even giving them a credit card). And I'm nobody!!
Edelkrone make a monitor arm
I just came across this post. My friction arms constantly unscrew themselves from the 1/4" and 3/8" threads on my rig and it drives me up the wall. This looks like it could be a good solution ( http://www.vfgadgets.com/monitor-mounts/fluid-head-monitor-mount ) but has anyone tried it? Of course the only problem with this design is that I don't have rosettes on my shoulder rig, so I couldn't used it to mount my EVF...
My suggestion is get the genuine manfrotto magic arms, I have 2 (one is over 10 years old) they are still going strong.
Load capacity 3 Kg (This one goes limp) http://www.manfrotto.com/magic-arm-with-bracket
The variable friction model is only rated to 1 Kg (this one doesn't go limp) http://www.manfrotto.com/variable-friction-arm
@kavadni These look very good. Thanks for sharing.
But rather than using them a superclamp to attach this to my tripod, what I'd really like is to have the option to mount this to a rod system (with a piece of hardware that fits over both rods to keep it in place) so that I can also use it with my shoulder rig. Do you know of a rod-mountable accessory with a lockable hole for a stud?
Here we go. I think that this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/552599-REG/Cinevate_Inc_CI_RA_AS_000002_CI_RA_AS_000002_Universal_Rails_Block.html
... coupled with this: http://www.manfrotto.com/magic-arm-with-bracket
... will do what I am looking for. Thanks, @kavadni
My Digital Juice arm is very sturdy. I use it often. It's rated to 5lbs and it comes with a nice clamp-
Digital Juice arm is very sturdy. I use it often. It's rated to 5lbs and it comes with a nice clamp-
You can get one on ebay much cheaper. And it is Weifeng arm.
some hairspray of something else that is slightly sticky sprayed on the friction surfaces can help keep the joints from sagging.
This block will work. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Extender-Rod-Clamp-Rail-Block-fr-Support-Rail-System-DSLR-Rig-USB-Follow-Focus-/170829513809?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27c63b8451#ht_1860wt_1180
Or the Lanparte block. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Lanparte-3-8-Threaded-Clamp-to-Fit-Magic-Arm-for-15mm-Rails-DSLR-Video-/160965040516?pt=UK_Tripods_Heads_Stablisers&hash=item257a439984&_uhb=1
With a 3/8 bolt
The Manfrotto Arms have either a 1/4 or 3/8 hole at each end. I'd need to go and look .. I can't remember if they are both 3/8 or if one end is a 1/4.
I am not a fan of a block that only attaches to one rail, it's bound to twist and droop
@kavadni The video on the Manfrotto site says that each end is a 5/8" stud. One is threaded for a 1/4" screw, and the other is threaded for a 3/8" screw. I was trying to bypass the screws entirely and find something lockable that would grasp the 5/8" stud because I find that the screws tend to unscrew themselves and then the arm just swings freely. That's why I liked the Cinevate Universal Rail Block: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/552599-REG/Cinevate_Inc_CI_RA_AS_000002_CI_RA_AS_000002_Universal_Rails_Block.html
I agree on hardware that attaches to both rails.
@QuickHitRecord That block looks good. It will allow quick removal compared to the two I posted. that said, I think the stud will tend to rotate more than a 3/8 bolt through the hole.
@kavadni You may be right about the rotation, but I plan to find a screw that screws through the center hole and applies pressure against the bolt to keep it in place. Since it won't be fighting gravity this may be able to provide enough resistance to hold it still.
Yes, there is a lot of junk out there. Some of it is laughable its so over priced. BUT, I have seen one company perform consistently over and over again. The Noga Arm. Pricey? Yes. Worth it? YES!
Here's an independant video to give you an idea....
I've used an off brand from China with much success. When I bought it I only paid $35, that was a month ago. http://www.ebay.com/itm/7-inch-Articulating-Magic-Arm-Mounting-LCD-Monitor-LED-Lights-Camera-/110931529129?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19d408cda9
And I've used these from V-Gear. They are junk. Total garbage. Monitors swinging wayward into your face or lens. They're terrible. http://www.ebay.com/itm/350821043566?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
Bottom line: in this department you get what you pay for....
The manfrotto mini-hydrostat arm is bomb-proof. 5/8" stud one end, 1/4" screw the other. Expensive though
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