Essential Gear for Photographers: Magic Arm

[@photonsonpixels]

Thanks Daniel. It is great to see a professional discussing these contraptions that nobody else is mentioning! Great insides.

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Thank You!

[@Maz3-1]

Great video and thanks for attaching the arm to a ladder as that simply shows these things can be attached to any firm secure surface other then your normal run of the mill c/light-stands. And yes, did see Seth’s video on the same topic and thought I ought to check out your video too. You guys are so knowledgable so thanks a bunch for sharing your wisdom. Cheers!

[@250GTOAJ]

It is part of a magic and very useful system, my super clamps have gone missing. Thanks Daniel, have a good weekend.

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Thanks

[@iSpike]

G'day Mate, Loving your videos man. Cheers from Western Australia

[@Sidweddingphotos07]

very useful video. Gives a lot of ideas for product shoot.

[@vladislavboutorine6502]

Thank you Magic Daniel, i didn't knew about Manfrotto 5/8 to 3/8, I used to make weird assembly to make it as a boom arm. There is always something new to learn from your videos !

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Cool

[@annieglendinning9827]

Love that little muppet of you in bottom right hand corner of screen. Had to re-watch video as i kept cracking up!

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Ha ha thanks

[@partykinginc8002]

Oh the Magic, truly is Magic !! Use them everywhere. Thanks Daniel

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@jamesstein4077]

I used a lockable, articulating clamp to mount a speedlight outside a window with a gel to simulate golden hour light shining back through the blinds onto my subject. Worked great!

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Nice!

[@rslaugh]

Kewl Video, thanks Daniel. I first used magic arms for temporarily mounting industrial sensors and vision systems for proof of concept and carried them over into my photography kit. I recently used one when helping a friend set up an 8' tall "keyhole" cutout of plywood and lights all around the edge for the model to step through. While it had some feet it didn't look all that stable so I took a magic arm with a clamp on each end. I tightened one end on the top of the set and the other to a lighting grid above to keep it from falling over.

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Nice

[@TomChamberlain]

I use mine with a clamp for GoPros and speedlights. I even have mini=arms for mounting mics and leds on my Smallrig.

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Nice

[@walterbauer4841]

They do work good

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

For sure

[@jimmyhill9591]

I have the 22" NOGA but didn't really use it much due to mistrust of the small threads strength. I have some stands with removable studs I would use it on, but just never trusted it otherwise. Seth pointed me toward a 5/8 female to 5/8 female adapter(I went with the Tether tools one for $10) and now I use it all the time. I also have the 6" Manfrotto 'micro friction arm' which is perfect for hanging my Surface Pro tablet/laptop off my tripod for tethering.

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

For sure, those adapters work great, just add a lot of weight

[@DeShawnHatcher]

THANK YOU SO MUCH you have literally saved me hundreds. I have subbed.

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Awesome! Welcome aboard

[@michalwalks]

I just came freom a video where the guys brass tip snapped off so I was mightily happy you gave that good tip about being weary of extending an arm with a 10lb+ weight due to the strength etc.

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Indeed

[@davidromano2421]

Great video, thanks Daniel

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Thank You!

[@dcallan812]

The clamp and this video have been really helpful for me. I have requested a loan clamp and arm from the UK Disabled Photography Society. I use an electric wheelchair and hoped that this would clamp to my chair and hold the camera in a better position than a tripod. Thank you.

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Ah nice!

[@JimResnikoff]

That’s a really cool arm. May be a nice add on to my super clamps!

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Indeed

[@wkwtoywhiteknobwindups8587]

Hi Dan, Absolutely love your content. Thank you for sharing :)

[@naaniyenllcuisine4201]

Got it thanks

[@TravisBrooksPhoto]

Great video!

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Thank You!

[@MikeJamesMedia]

Thanks, Daniel. Great tips, and thanks for the direct links, too.

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Thanks

[@Toyrapy]

Very informative, thank you!! Gonna have one 👍👍👍

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Great

[@jpdj2715]

Funny, in a way, you come up with this video. I bought one yesterday. I had two smaller versions from Asian manufacture that looked extremely well made and sturdy, yet the locking mechanism depended on springs so thin and of a quality metal so flimsy that made no sense. Yes, I found out about that spring because they fell apart. Spontaneously. Now the Manfrotto version of the set in your video with a larger lever lock looks very promising. They have the flattest possible "tripod" added in the "143" set that accepts the stud of the magic arm. Ideal for contour/rim/back light that needs to come from very low. The clamp and 1/4"-20 thing that can mount a camera - ideal - now in need of an Arca quick mount.

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@pennykent5687]

Looks like a great product. Love how it's so flexible and stable! Thanks for this great post.👍😀

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Thanks

[@zavoina]

Wish you'd have touched on anchoring the stand, sandbags maybe, to protect the talent and the gear. Maybe in another video? Love 'em. Thank you.

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@yenra]

Thank you; very clear.

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

😊😊

[@ikelni7744]

First time I am looking at your videos and simply impressed with the clarity and amount of useful tips with demos within a short segment and straight to the point approach. Thank you, Daniel! Excellent and keep this going ...

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Thank You!

[@Reesemar_]

Should you use a wider lens with the magic arm?

[@mauricebighi2510]

love to go through your Grip boxes lol

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

It can be fun

[@mauricebighi2510]

@@DanielNortonPhotographer get Adorama to send you and Seth out to Australia my studio would be at your disposal

[@BinaryRhyme.JackOfArts]

For something completely different, combined with a Ulanzi aluminum tablet holder, I use it on stage as a 'music stand' as my music is on the tablet.

[@naaniyenllcuisine4201]

Which adptor did you use for the camera base did you use to connect the magic arm

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Just a “camera bracket”

[@jeffnewman8261]

Can you use the magic arm from your camera to your flash the get the flash off axis with the lens when shooting portraits in run and gun situations? Would just moving the flash those few/several inches off axis be enough to make a difference?

[@benharris3949]

Thank you for more tutorials on grip- super helpful for those of us who don’t have the chance to assist in a studio. I’ve been contemplating buying a TLR to experiment with, I think they’d make a great topic for one of your vids in future.

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Cool. I do like TLRs fun stuff

[@ChrisLeeX]

thank you for the tip :)

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Thanks for watching

[@hoyaterp]

Ok, it took two years but you finally talked me into buying one. Looking forward to using it. And yes, Seth is a hack. LOL -- Not!! :)

[@machinate]

"buy the best one you can afford" - yes, and if you go with Manfrotto - like I did - don't get the old version with the handle at the middle joint, get the one with the knob, that looks like the one in this video, it's MUCH better. BTW, I used to do work for an event lighting company, they had a literal pallet full of super-clamps and magic arms.

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Nice!

[@HB448]

If I have magic arms is it worth getting a cstand? And if I have a cstand is it worth investing in magic arms?

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

They are for different things, so yes.

[@Pcbdude82]

This thing should work perfect for my Canon R5 and their new 180 vr lens. I'm looking for something that will allow me to hang my camera in front of my face for that POV view. Put a lights tank behind me, with this thing and it should work

[@ForeverYoung007]

@8:17 do you have to add counter weight if you are using a light softbox like a lastolite's ezybox 24 x 24 with a speedlight? Or what would be the most amount of weight you'd feel comfortable adding with the arm extended 75% of the way

[@juliustan1151]

Both of the spigot/studs have flat side (so it it won’t slip)? How does the Noga Griffin compare with Manfrotto 244?

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

I’ve never done that comparison, sorry

[@joseph-the-seventh]

Is the NOGA better than Manfrotto 244 variable friction arm?

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

I like it better

[@foodlover6613]

Is it possible to take the clamp off and put it onto my motorised dolly? Thanks

[@brandonkriegerKNSS]

When you connect that arm to a table or the ladder, do you find it is shaky? I ask because I would like to connect it to a office table and absorb some of the vibrations so I don't have shaky video.

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Of course it depends on how stable the table is. And of course if you bump the table it will wiggle. That being said if the table is solid and nobody touches it then it should stand without shaking

[@brandonkriegerKNSS]

@@DanielNortonPhotographer currently I have the 196B and it does shake a bit as I am typing on my desk. So from what you are saying I don't think it will matter if I go with the Magic Arm?

[@edwinkeeton9203]

Daniel, I listen to everything you say. Now I realize I need a magic arm.

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Oh man! They are useful though

[@jerrye1001]

Could you please let me know what brand magic arm you have. I see "Hold" but could not find it anywhere. Thanks.

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

The link is in the Description

[@roybixby6135]

The quicker lever version is better for lighting. I'd love to see all the different versions of magic arm types...

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

I like both versions but if I can only have one, I tend towards the one I showed

[@phynx2006]

Way to get a grip on it Daniel ....... come on someone had to say it. 👊

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

😂

[@Porshesmiles]

Just looking at a magic arm as I’m a wheelchair user and need to push and have my camera in front of me at the same time. Hmmmm!!! I’m feeling a tad lost!

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

A magic arm could be useful for that for sure

[@1stfootprint_art]

You can never have enough arms...

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Indeed

[@LastXwitness]

That guy Seth is a hack and those arms are a stupid gimmick!....wish we could get some in carbon fiber options tho ...

[@DanielNortonPhotographer]

Carbon fiber 🤔

[@LastXwitness]

Daniel Norton Photographer less weight to over hang when extended out Better for travel stands