All About Magic Arms: Conventional and Unconventional Uses
Discover some traditional and non-traditional uses for magic arms, a few options on the market today, and the benefits of each.
Magic arms are versatile and robust filmmaking tools. You wouldn’t of a magic arm as one of the first tools you should consider buying once your ideal setup is complete, but it’s a vital accessory for solo filmmakers.
In this article, we will explain what a magic arm is and why it is such a valuable tool. We’re also going to look at some of the best options today. We’ll even explore some traditional and not-so-traditional, usage scenarios. This way, on your next shoot, you can be prepared with the best magic arm possible.
The first magic arm I ever bought wasn’t good. It couldn’t hold anything. It would constantly drop and would poorly mount onto my camera. This negative experience quickly painted magic arms in a negative light in my head. As a result, I assumed that they were all bad, no matter the price point. For a while, I didn’t even use them because of that experience. However, I was wrong. You’ve got to give some things a second chance. I picked up another magic arm maybe a year later for a client shoot. It was a valuable tool and helped me make shooting easier than I thought.
What is a Magic Arm?
A Magic arm is an attachable arm that holds additional equipment to your camera rig. Very much like your arms attached to your torso, a magic arm has two straight sections which are then connected to the center point (the elbow); this center point can be either twisted via hand or with the use of a hex key/Allen key.
Most magic arms, if not all, give the user the same functions no matter what you buy; the budget comes down to materials used, type of attachment threads, unique features, and branding. You’ll mostly see Magic arms used within photography studios and small film camera crews who need extra support for their equipment or to set up an additional light or accessory to attach to the camera rig.
Traditional Uses
Magic arms can be used for a wide range of possibilities. If the item has a thread or it can be clamped to the arm, then you bet you can use a magic arm to hold it. Some of the most common usages are for having a variety of camera accessories. This includes wireless video feed systems, external monitors, LED lights, and anything else that can mount onto it. For photographers, you’ll sometimes see flashguns attached to magic arms around a photo studio, giving additional lighting support to the main softbox or unit.
Their articulating arms allow you to position these accessories anywhere on your camera rig that seems fit. Through their robust construction, they can hold and secure what you need for as long as necessary.
Non-Traditional Uses
Because magic arms typically feature an ultra-versatile ¼ twenty-thread mount, they can secure almost anything with that mount. One of my favorite non-traditional usages that I’ve seen is to use the magic arm to mount a small, wide-angle B-camera, conveniently rigged onto your A-camera to grab an additional shot and angle.
For example, let’s say you’re filming a feature or short on a super short schedule with a limited budget. Then, you have a scene that requires two-camera coverage. Your A-cam would grab your main angle and be the main focus of the scene. Then, a small B-cam could be mounted directly onto your main camera with a wide-angle lens to grab an additional shot—basically, a two-for-one special.
Popular Magic Arms
Now that we’ve captured the essence of what we can use magic arms for let’s look at four recommendations for the world of magic arms.
SmallRig Magic Arm – from $29.90 to $69.90 (depending on the product)
I wanted to put one of the cheapest options first; not saying that the product is terrible and unworthy of your money, but sometimes we’re working on a limited budget. SmallRig has a plethora of options regarding magic arms offering different sizes and thread mounting at different prices, so there is bound to be something available to consider. Though they are fundamental in features and the build quality isn’t as superior as others on this list, they do what the job of the magic arm is intended for, supporting additional accessories and monitors to your rig.
Cine Magic Arm Pro – $119.99
Produced by Kondor Blue and priced at $119.99, this magic arm has a distinct and unique blue branding that Kondor blue is known for and also comes in two colorways, black, and grey. For this price, you’ll get 1/4 “-20 screw adjustable balls heads on both ends, which can be swapped out for different ball heads with extra mounting screws (sold separately), large solid thumbscrews for tightening and loosening the joints, and robust build quality since the arm can hold up items to 50lbs.
Kondor Blue has a great selection of additional accessories for the magic arm pro, giving you options to get the most out of the arm unit.
Manfrotto Magic Arm – $139.99
The Magic Photo arm retails for $139.99; designed to balance strength and flexibility, this 1.07kg arm can hold up to 3kg of weight and extend to a max length of 53cm.
It’s a pretty standard-looking magic arm with all the standard features you’d expect, with little frills and additions. Manfrotto has consistently produced high-quality products through my experience working with their tripods and mounting units in the past, and I’m sure the standard will also be kept here.
IFootage Spider Crabs – $109.99
Though it isn’t called a magic arm, the idea, execution, and results are spot on, and it’s truly a unique system in terms of what’s available on the market. The spider crab system by IFootage is a robust, portable, lightweight magic arm that is perfect for creatives no matter what camera system you use. With the goal of the product being accessibility and modularity, the spider crab makes it so simple to set up, shoot, and break down with little effort.
Its dual locking safety system, toolless assembly/disassembly, 2.2kg horizontal payload and 6kg vertical payload support, and an option for a “lite” edition, offer the same strength and dependability at a smaller footprint and cost. IFootage has put itself in a unique place regarding a modular magic arm.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, magic arms are powerful filmmaking tools, especially for solo content creation that need that extra support in holding up additional accessories to the camera rig, out on location, or within a studio space. They can be pricey depending on other add-ons you buy or the brand you purchase from, but they are worth every penny if building the ideal camera rig setup for a shoot.
There are so many options for magic arms and their modularity aspect, so you can replace and customize them to your liking, making them work with whatever setup is needed.
So, if you’re looking to improve your camera rig, utilize more mounting options, or securely attach a B-cam, magic arms are tools that can help you achieve just that. With these unique magic arm options and varieties on the market today, you’re bound to find the perfect one for your next production.
Cover image via SmallRig
