Any Manfrotto Magic Arm users?

I got the variable friction magic arm w/camera platform and super clamp for Christmas.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …iable_Friction_​Magic.html

Looking for ideas on using it with off camera flash and modifiers, although I think I will probably need to buy an umbrella swivel mount for this purpose as I can't see much feasible use for the camera mount. Any photo examples would be much appreciated.

BluewookieJim wrote in post #9267770
I got the variable friction magic arm w/camera platform and super clamp for Christmas.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …iable_Friction_​Magic.html

Looking for ideas on using it with off camera flash and modifiers, although I think I will probably need to buy an umbrella swivel mount for this purpose as I can't see much feasible use for the camera mount. Any photo examples would be much appreciated.

I've got two of them. They are possibly my favorite camera accessories.

I use the arms to get my strobes positioned well in gyms for sports. Last week I used it to clamp my strobe to a piece of conduit and keep the head away from the wall a bit.

You can use it with the camera base to set up a remote camera camera, or as a make-shift tripod.

Super clamps and magic arms are great tools and a lot of fun to play with.

I have a few.. they are my favorite as well.. however I use them to mount remote cameras..

Just bought one of these last week... have a new area/room to shoot in and figured it'd work great to hang the lights from the ceiling instead of using a stand that takes up floor space (room is only 10' wide).

Think I'm going to run some EMT conduit on the ceiling down each side of the room, use the super clamp and arm to position the lights where I want along the conduit... cheap track mount system ?

medic583 wrote in post #9268575
Just bought one of these last week... have a new area/room to shoot in and figured it'd work great to hang the lights from the ceiling instead of using a stand that takes up floor space (room is only 10' wide).

Think I'm going to run some EMT conduit on the ceiling down each side of the room, use the super clamp and arm to position the lights where I want along the conduit... cheap track mount system ?

Good thinking!

I have one but the need just hasn't arrived yet. I always have it in the box ready to go in a pinch. Who knows, I might need it next week. I'll be in a gym I have not been to before.

Maybe I should have phrased it better.

I got the variable friction arm with the camera mount (and a super clamp) for x-mas , but what I really want to use it for is off-camera flash and maybe some modifiers.

Should I look into getting another attachment for the non-clamped end, ie umbrella swivel mount or similar, or is there some way I can use the camera mount for these purposes. It seems like I can put an umbrella through the rear-most hole on the back/side of the camera mount, but then I'd have to shoot my flash into it from a slight angle by putting the foot/base on the sliding camera mount screw.

There is a stud on both ends of the arm. If you remove the camera mount, there is a stud underneath it. If you want to use an umbrella, you will need to use an umbrella bracket on one of the studs.

I think Derek has been in the eggnog again!
Both ends of the magic arm are threaded - one is 1/4 in and the other is 3/8 in.
You might have to give McGiver a call, but a 1/4 inch bolt and maybe a washer or two and a couple of nuts should fix you up. A piece of all-thread would work just as well also.

Screw the bolt into the arm and use a nut to secure it. Measure whatever your mount will be so that about 3/8 in of threads will be exposed. Cut the bolt off at that point. Your flash mount, or hot shoe adapter or whatever you use should thread onto the bolt. Don't forget to allow room for a nut to back seat your flash mount.
That should do it.

If you use an umbrella adapter, the correct stud should come with it. One like this one from flashzebra should do nicely and you won't owe McGiver anything!

MT Stringer wrote in post #9270935
I think Derek has been in the eggnog again!
Both ends of the magic arm are threaded - one is 1/4 in and the other is 3/8 in.
You might have to give McGiver a call, but a 1/4 inch bolt and maybe a washer or two and a couple of nuts should fix you up. A piece of all-thread would work just as well also.

Screw the bolt into the arm and use a nut to secure it. Measure whatever your mount will be so that about 3/8 in of threads will be exposed. Cut the bolt off at that point. Your flash mount, or hot shoe adapter or whatever you use should thread onto the bolt. Don't forget to allow room for a nut to back seat your flash mount.
That should do it.

If you use an umbrella adapter, the correct stud should come with it. One like this one from flashzebra should do nicely and you won't owe McGiver anything!

Mike,

The OP wants to mount a flash and an umbrella. If all he wants is a flash, the camera platform will work with a flash stand and would be much easier than cutting a bolt.

DDCSD wrote in post #9271149
Mike,

The OP wants to mount a flash and an umbrella. If all he wants is a flash, the camera platform will work with a flash stand and would be much easier than cutting a bolt.

Yeah, but what fun is that?

You know me. I'd rather build it myself.

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