With the advent of highly capable, lightweight cameras and monitors like the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K and the SmallHD Focus 5″, it can be tempting to go handheld for your next shoot.
It’s a great idea in theory, but even with the best of gear, ergonomics can become an issue. The additional weight of any camera, even a small one like the BMPCC 4K, can get tiring over time. And if you’re using an external monitor/recorder or a much larger camera, that effect is amplified. That’s not to mention that your footage will probably suffer as your fatigue grows over time.
This is where an articulating arm comes into play. They allow you to mount your rig on a tripod or other support system and adjust it throughout the day without having to constantly break down and set up again.
1. Fantaseal Articulating Magic Arm
Adjustable Magic Arm with 1/4″ Mounting Screws and Hot-Shoe Adapters for Video Monitor, LED Lights, LCD Field Monitor, Flash Light, Microphone.
Designed to support a variety of accessories, the Adjustable Magic Arm is secured on one end by a standard 1/4″ screw clamp and on the other by a shoe mount adapter that slides into a hot shoe or flash bracket. You can also reverse the shoe mount adapter so that it mounts directly to a camera’s tripod socket.
The bottom of this magic arm is attached to the camera via its 1/4″ thread; while the other side has a hot shoe adapter which can be attached to your microphone, monitor and other devices. The arm can be freely adjusted in any direction you like.
2. ChromLives Articulating Arm
Say goodbye to shaky and blurred images, you can put the monitor, LCD or camera on the tripod, adjust the angle then get stable pictures. This is a necessary equipment for film/video makers.
The universal 1/4” screw thread on each end allows you to attach accessories such as a DSLR camera, video camera, field monitor, video light, microphone and other accessories with 1/4” standard thread at any direction.
The friction ball joint allows 360° rotation and 180° tilt of connected devices; The tension knob adjusts the amount of tension applied to the joints so that you can set the arm to hold your devices in position
Made of high quality aluminium alloy; Strong enough to support equipment up to 3kg (6.6lbs); Anodized surface treatment makes it durable
Come with hot shoe adapter, 1/4”-20 thumbscrew and 5/8 inch screw; Standard hot shoe mount on one end fits for most DSLR cameras/LCD monitors, etc; The other end is 1/4”-20 male screw for mounting on tripod stands.
3. Pangshi Articulating Arm
The Pangshi 11″ Magic Arm is widely used to mount LCD monitors, lights, and other photographic equipment.
The magic arm is has a 7/8″ stud with 1/4″-20 & 3/8″ thread; a 1/4″ male and 2 female screw, one of the female screw has 3/8″ thread too; with this adapter kit, you can attach or remove accessories quickly and easily.
The adjustable knobs can be tightened or loosened for 360° positioning to any desired angle when mounted. The locking control adjusts tension to suit the weight of equipment being used.
4. AFVO Articulating Arm
The magic arm is compatible with a variety of camera monitors and video viewfinders, such as SmallHD 702/702 BRIGHT 703 Bolt 500 TX 5″/7″ Monitors, DJI Ronin-M/MX, Zhiyun Crane.
AFVO Articulating Arm is a compact and versatile monitor mount with an ergonomic handgrip. It includes a 1/4″ screw and 3/8″ thread for mounting a variety of accessories.
This magic arm is more versatile than other brands because it can be mounted vertically or horizontally, on the left or right sides of your camera cage. The handle can be removed and mounted on either side of the arm or turned upside down (depending on your needs).
The AFVO Magic Arm features 360° rotation function, which allows you to adjust your monitor to the most convenient position.
This AFVO Magic Arm works great to control your camera gimbal with a small monitor! It holds Steadicam Archer 2 securely in place while allowing quick and easy adjustments that used to be impossible with the original fixed mount.
5. CLOUDSFOTO Articulating Arm
CLOUDSFOTO 11″ inch Adjustable Friction Magic Arm with Super Clamp. This magic arm is designed to support accessories such as LCD monitors, lights and cameras. The magic arm can be attached to a light stand, tripod or any other support with a 5/8″ stud. The arm has a camera mounting screw at one end and a standard 1/4″-20 threaded screw at the other end. It also features a locking lever that allows you to adjust the tightness of the grip on your accessory.
The Super Clamp is a clamping device that can be attached anywhere there is a bar or pole up to 1.57″ in diameter. The clamp features two opposing jaws, one of which has a male 5/8″ stud with spring-loaded locking pin and the other which has a female 3/8″ thread and opposing locking screw for attaching lights and accessories.
This articulating arm is constructed from black anodized aluminum, and features a female 3/8″-16 threaded stud at one end and male 1/4″-20 threaded screw at the other end. The arm features a single locking knob that controls the position of the four sections, allowing you to place your monitor or other accessory exactly where you need it.
The CLOUDSFOTO Super Clamp with 1/4″-20 Adapter allows you to mount a camera, monitor, or any device with a 1/4″-20 mount to tubes and flat surfaces up to 2″ thick.
The clamp provides a secure grip with its rubber-lined jaws and stainless steel screws. A removable shoe adapter is included which provides a 1/4″-20 threaded hole on top of the clamp for attaching accessories such as shoe-mount flashes and video lights. The adapter also features a safety pin to prevent it from sliding off the clamp during use.
6. CAMVATE Articulating Arm
CAMVATE 11 inch Adjustable Articulating Friction Magic Arm Compatible with LCD Monitor, DSLR Camera Rig, LED Lights, Flash Light.
CAMVATE 11″ Friction Magic Arm Kit contains everything you need to mount accessories onto your camera rig. It’s the best choice for both professionals and amateurs.
Magic arm is a kind of adjustable device that is used to hold LCD monitors, LED lights and other accessories on your camera cage or camera rig. It features a standard 1/4″ screw at one end, which can be attached to DSLR camera rigs or light stands; and a 3/8″ screw with an anti-skid pad at the other end, which can be attached to most LCD monitors and LED lights. The arm can be mounted on any part of the cage with a 1/4”-20 thread hole by using its two included locking screws.
Widely used in professional photographic equipment accessories for cameras, monitors, lights and other equipment. Such as: cameras, field monitors, fill light and other equipment.
7. CAMBUY Articulating Arm
In the world of DIY, there’s a lot of talk about the importance of tools, but few people know how to use them. For example, if you take a tool and use it once, it might not be worth your time to use it again. Or if you spend $20 on a tool, you might wonder why you ever wasted that money in the first place.
The same could be said for camera equipment. Picking up one camera lens isn’t going to make or break your photography career. But when you invest in a quality lens that makes your images look their best, the results are much more satisfying and can make all the difference in your sales.
The simplest way to improve your images is always to shoot with quality gear in the first place. But even if you’re shooting with a good camera, it can help to have quality accessories like lens converters and camera straps.
8. Koolehaoda Articulating Arm
This articulating arm is a must have for those that need to mount accessories to their cameras. This particular one can be used for many different applications and is super easy to use.
The construction of this arm is really good. The joints are all securely locked into place with a simple twist of the head/joints and the locking mechanisms is solid.
This item is a very handy tool for the mounting of various accessories to your camera cage. The two ball heads allow you to adjust the angle of the device with ease while the magic arm itself can be bent into virtually any position.
9. Elgato Wall Mount Articulated arm
Elgato’s Wall Mount is an articulated arm that can hold a camera, light or other device in place. Made of powder-coated steel, it is sturdy and durable, and adjustable up to 20″ in length. It has a standard 1/4″-20 screw thread at the end for mounting your camera, light or other accessory.
The Wall Mount is comprised of three segments: the wall mount itself, the upper arm and the lower arm. Each segment can be adjusted up to 180° with click stops at every 30° to help find just the right angle for your setup. The arm also features a tightening knob that allows you to set how stiff each joint is so it stays put as you adjust your equipment.
The Wall Mount has a 1/4″-20 threaded mounting hole in its base and includes a drywall anchor screw for easy installation on drywall or other soft materials.
10. Iewalda Articulated arm
More and more, people are using their phones as a camera first and a phone second. Mobile photography is now on par with traditional digital photography in terms of quality and ease of use, which means we can take better photos than ever before.
However, there’s still one area where mobile devices fall short: capturing expansive panoramic views. While some phones allow you to capture landscapes with panorama mode, the software tends to either crop out too much or produce photos that are distorted.
Although I’ve been shooting 360-degree panoramas for years with both traditional DSLR cameras and my iPhone, I was curious to see how 360 Panorama would compare. I downloaded the app and put it to the test by taking several shots around my office.
Even though the user interface is extremely simple, the results were surprisingly impressive. The photos were not only high-quality, but also easy to view. The app even has a built-in web viewer that allows you to share your panoramas with friends via email or social media.
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