Manfrotto Magic Arm 143 vs 244?

I'm looking to add a Manfrotto Magic Arm to my kit, and I've been looking at the Manfrotto 143 and 244. It doesn't really seem to be a big difference? They have the same max load capacity. I'm thinking of using it with a magic clamp for lights.

If there isn't any real difference between the two, I will probably go for a Manfrotto 143 Magic Arm kit, which comes with Camera/Umbrella Bracket 143BKT, Super Clamp 035, Backlite Base 003.

Any thoughts or experience with these two?

Go with the 244 (the variable friction model). I've heard many comments from users that the one with the lever is much less usable than the one with the wheel. The small difference in price is really worth it.

I have two with wheel, and they are nice tools.

I recently picked up a 244 Magic Arm with the variable resistance knob. It works well but it makes a "creaking" noise as I tighten it down or looses it. is that normal?

Thanks for your reply... could you be more precise on how the lever is much less usable than the wheel? You can't get it as tight or?

I have the variable friction knob, and I can say its very solid, but the level version will do just as good. Chase Jarvis seems to have no issue using it with a D2X attached.

Here is a discussion on the two styles from SS, I have the knobs and when I screw them tight they stay.

http://www.sportsshoot​er.com …ge_display.html​?tid=36498

From what I have read there are two reasons why the Lever version is less desirable than the Wheel version.

1) When you release the lever, the arm goes completely "limp" and it makes it difficult to make precise adjustments. With the Wheel version it is has the added feature of being able to vary the resistance so it can be moved when partially tightened, yet still hold the weight of the camera.

2) The lever can be snagged on something and the camera will then immediately crash to the ground. With the wheel version, the wheel will not get caught on anything and even if it was somehow partially released, it would slowly move.

Thanks now I understand... Well, it seems it's a no-brainer then. Safety before all You don't want your strobes or cameras come crashing down

i have just bought a 143RC. was woreking fine, but all of a sudden it is offerring a lot of resistance when the lever is turned to "neutral" eben y\the ball heads at hard to adjust. can you offer any help. the olnly solution that i found was to lubricate the joints with oil... but it did not solve anything

hi further to my previous query... the solutionwas to give the lever a jerk, i heard a cracking noise,,, but some way or another it worked

I would also just add to the conversation to compare different packages before buying as well. If you could use an extra superclamp or the camera platform piece you can usually find them sold together with the magic arm for cheaper than everything is separate... or at least you could back when I bought mine