How a magic arm works.

Thank you.

Jörg Schötz

A ledge made of PCB material on the edge of the test equipment shelf above the bench.

Big Clive

Thanks for getting back to me. Wow... 1.6k videos... that is impressive. How is your camera/phone mounted? It looks so sturdy.

Jörg Schötz

I use an app called open camera to record the videos as it offers much greater control, including locking focus and exposure and zooming with a slider. After that I think it's all down to practice. I've made over 1600 videos and find it intuitive now. There are always quirks with each phone though, and you have to learn and compensate for them.

Big Clive

I would really like to see your equipment setup (hard- and software) when doing your videos, maybe you give us a brief tour. I'm quite impressed how fast and exact you can change settings without any camera shake. Also the video quality is very good, although you're using "just" a mobile phone - that's at least what I understand when you do short explanations. I use an iPhone X with the video app FiLMiC to record my tutorial videos and they are not quite as good.... not really bad, but not as clean as yours. I would greatly appreciate this. Kind regards and a good time.

Jörg Schötz

After a good screwing, one usually becomes thoroughly unscrewed. There you go.

Mike Cowen

That will be all the 5G rays your exposed to.

Thanks Phil. It's been used a lot. I'm not sure why I clearly said "metric" and then described the threads as 1/4" and 3/8".

Big Clive

Hi Clive, I bought that clamp and arm from Amazon. Both holes on the clamp are imperial. One is 1/4" and the other is 3)8" glad it has come in useful. .

Back deep in the before time I used to build surveillance vehicles and equipment. We used Bogen branded arms to hold cameras and other stuff. I kept one for lo these many years and has been infallibly reliable useful, and effective in whatever application it has been applied to. Good times!

Michael Thompson

Son's birthday present now sorted.

Andrew Donaldson

Thanks. That's good to know.

Big Clive

Manfrotto is NOT the original. These were originally made by Noga Engineering originally for machinist indicator holding, and hence their common name (in film) "Israeli Arm" or "Noga arm". Also they are referred to as "hydrostatic arms"

The demand for pink items in the theatre industry is generally only in the costume department and for post-show recreation.

Big Clive

Thanks - this explains how the clamp I already own is meant to be used!

Mark Gray

But, it's not PINK! :)

Okay Clive, thanks. Stay safe, stay well.

I'll be OK thanks. It was just one part of my work. The call came through today from the crew chief (who has currently got Corona) to let us know. They are going to be working their way through all the refunds or letting people move their ticket to next year if they wish.

Big Clive

We use the real thing on the Edinburg Tattoo for BBC specific lighting. One year I may take one apart - but not this year as I've just found out it's been cancelled for the first time in 70 years.

Big Clive

It did that a while ago. It's good that an educational video has beaten a trashy viral video. If you count all the Facebook viral sweeps Fanny is still the winner though.

Big Clive

Hi Clive, I've just seen that the Edinburgh Tattoo has been cancelled this year, must be the first time ever, and I imagine it's going to have a considerable effect on you. Would upping our Patreon contributions be of any use to you? A bit of a pain for me too as we were going this year, so refunds and cancellation of accommodation to get to grips with.

The clampy end is just like a laboratory clamp for holding various bits of lab equipment: test tubes, flasks etc (and fractionating columns/condensers for making home brewed hooch). PS I've just ordered one from that auction site that we know and love. The missus does nature macro photography and it's just the job for homing in on little critters.

Malcolm J Bannister

I usually get limp after being screwed, not unscrewed.

Hmm quite tempting. I love the simple yet ingenious design.

AESFTW

I have many of the originals from Manfrotto. Some are dial-controlled (and we prefer those for fine-tuning mounted cameras and lights) and others have the instant-lock arm you talked about in the video. Since we're all furloughed in the sports photography world for the time being I'd be willing to ship you one of each full-size for the demo if you are pretty sure you can put them back together afterwards. :) I'll even pay for the return freight (although I am certain I will regret this now). I'll send just one super clamp (because they SUPER heavy), too...

Ryan Coleman

I see the simple guide to electronics components has surpassed the fanny flambeaux video for views, good job!

Coil B

I used to use a home made hardwood version of this because my Manfrotto panoramic mount was to heavy for anything other than a good tripod. A couple years ago I realized my sons cymbal boom mount hardware did the same thing and was twice the size it needed to be.

Jim

Looks like there are a few different versions around on eBay. Some have tapering on the arms near the middle joint and some don't. Some look like they are all plastic but sold at the same price as the all metal ones. I ended up getting one that had a few reviews on it, one of which said it was all metal, as hopefully that is a safer bet! (And I can always leave my own review to help others too.)

Berkeloid

If Manfrotto did not invent this, I suspect an Israeli company called Noga, who make these items for DTI gauges for machinists. The Noga version is extremely high quality, and the price reflects it.

Chuck Kirchner

Wonder if Manfrotto will complain like the switch manufacturer a couple of years back.

John Carr

I have one of these for above my bench

The Tinkering Shed