The Manfrotto 143 Magic Arm Kit is designed to hold a light fixture or camera in place, in a variety of situations. The heart of the kit is the Magic Arm -- an elbow arm, with sure locking lever control at the pivot. The removable camera mount pans and locks, and has a standard 1/4-20" thread mount. With the camera mount removed, it will accept any light fixture up to 6.6 lbs that has a baby (5/8") receptor.
| Capacity | 6.6 lbs (3 kg) |
| Weight | 3 lbs (1.4 kg) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
Cons
Best Uses
Most Liked Positive Review
Not all Magic arms are equal
I bought 2 of these kits to solve a lighting problem at a fashion event I was shooting at a place with a relatively low beamed ceiling (call it between 8-10 depending on if...Read complete review
I bought 2 of these kits to solve a lighting problem at a fashion event I was shooting at a place with a relatively low beamed ceiling (call it between 8-10 depending on if you were on the stage or not).
Essentially using the clamp to connect to the ceiling beams, and then using the magic arm to connect from the clamp to my Einstein moonlight (4 lbs) and UMF modifier - then running the cord along the beam with some clamps. The magic arm allowed me to position the lights roughly where I wanted them, and high enough to be out of harms way for the event (and a plug for the Einstein's here, the wireless control allowed me to adjust them without climbing a ladder).
The kit is interesting because it contains both a stand and a super clamp and a camera adapter in addition the Magic Arm, this gives you a lot of options. However, this Magic Arm is not a variable friction model and utilized a leaver you must flip 180 degrees to lock. That's different from the Magic Arm with the knob and friction control (which helps you position heavier things a little better and doesn't require the space to flip the leaver). I own both (now) - 2 of the leaver with/kit, and one variable friction model for cases where the levers may not cut it for space reasons (which so far I haven't found).
Bottom line here is there is a lot of value in the kit given the stands an clamps, with a slight loss in function in the Magic Arm compared to the more expensive variable friction model. It would be nice if they had the variable friction as a kit as well, but I suspect given the cost and feature deltas I'd still end up with 2 of these and one of those. It's hard to fault the value here, and the usefulness is outstanding - it's going to solve rigging problems by giving you options.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Mine was defective.
I'm going to still recommend this product because its usefulness outweight everything else. I tried to hold my 5dM2 with the clamp and it was too heavy for it. I could see putting other ...Read complete review
I'm going to still recommend this product because its usefulness outweight everything else. I tried to hold my 5dM2 with the clamp and it was too heavy for it. I could see putting other things however, within 3 weeks, the arm already wouldn't lock. Returned it.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 79 customers
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Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 143 Magic Arm Kit:
Being able to use the Super Clamp to clamp the Magic Arm to anything, mount my camera (Canon 5D Mark III with a 70-200 f/2.8 II lens), clamp it down and have it locked in place, is great. Now I can get the remote shots I want without worry.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 143 Magic Arm Kit:
This will always come in handy as a third arm.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 143 Magic Arm Kit:
Good to use for situations where a typical light stand is too large or inconvenient. The super clamp is very handy for mounting a light source in unconventional places. The product is very durable and easy to use with unlimited creative possibilities.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 143 Magic Arm Kit:
I can't imagine how I went all this time in the video world without owning one of these. It'll hold a production monitor, small light, small camera and about a million other things, just about anywhere you want to stick it. WOW. This makes Noga arms look flimsy and worthless, and I've owned tons of those!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 143 Magic Arm Kit:
Really solid, more heavy duty than I imagined. Heavy for perhaps "on camera" or rig application, but this thing actually held a xl2 to a pole perfectly solid. Amazing for mounting cameras (and other production gear--lights, mics, etc) and placing them in virtually any direction. Everything locks up easily with 1 move.
My biggest thing is hoping that it lasts :) fingers are crossed it's at least a 3-5 year thing, it doesn't feel so amazingly made that it seems like it won't start slipping under weight eventually.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 143 Magic Arm Kit:
I've used this product for mounting my SLRs and speedlites on anything from another tripod to a mountain-bike or car. Everything has worked perfectly and met my expectations. I also bought the variable friction magic arm separately, and while that is easier to position and adjust in some situations, I have no concerns at all with the lever version and happily use them both.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 143 Magic Arm Kit:
It magically locks your position in one swift turn of the lock lever. Make that one 'tight' turn. The lever is tough to lock, but does the job. I believe the lever tension is adjustable, so I will try that before claiming it is too tough.I use it for mounting a monitor on my jib support.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 143 Magic Arm Kit:
I swear by Manfrotto and this is no different. I love the Magic Arm for attaching things in tricky places. I could go on and on about examples, but my suggestion is to get this, play with it, and you'd be surprised what you can do with it. The worst thing is needing it and not having it. You may not have a use for it right now, but you will. And if you have it when you need, you'll be glad you do.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 143 Magic Arm Kit:
I purchased this product to use with my 8" monitor. I loved it at first. Within a few uses, it tightens up, so much so that I can no longer use it. Manfrotto has been very supportive and sent me two replacements so far. I used my most recent one about a month and a half and it is failing. I may replace it with the Manfrotto 244RC Variable Friction Magic Arm with Quick Release Camera Bracket. I love Manfrotto, but not this product.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 143 Magic Arm Kit:
The kit is awesome. I took it out on a hike, fit in my backpack no problem. I was able to mount the arm to fallen branches, logs, rocks, posts, and with the tripod legs I could even use the ground. Not as good as a decent tripod, but for portability and compactability you can't beat this.
I'm also using it on my motorcycle and car to make rolling videos. Holds very firm, just need image stabilized lenses for the rest of the shake.
Weight wise the kit supports my 5D2 and 17-40L without and problems, even on my bike. I plan on using it on fences during sports events to record video while I shoot photos with another camera. I have no doubt the Magic Arm will work great.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 143 Magic Arm Kit:
Used to place a Canon 1D Mark 3 up high in a tent to shoot a time lapse for 8 hours. Worked perfectly!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 143 Magic Arm Kit:
I recently purchased the magic arm to have it ready for bike photos, or other events. I tried it out by attaching to my snow shovel, snow shovel cam! It worked out great. You need to make sure you have it all tight, but after that it worked like a charm!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 143 Magic Arm Kit:
Wanted to try some video and stills on my Mountain Bike. Wasn't sure if this would do the trick but it works perfectly! Highly recommend it.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 143 Magic Arm Kit:
I like this little baby. works great for indoor sports shooting when you can't blast people in the face but still need accent lighting from the stands so you don't have to shoot at a high ISO Setting!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 143 Magic Arm Kit:
The Magic Arm is is great for shooting DSLR Video from mounting the camera, monitor, or lights anywhere any time. I mainly use it for monitors and lights.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 143 Magic Arm Kit:
Very robust!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 143 Magic Arm Kit:
Like most things Manfrotto, this is built well, tough and durable. Took me a bit to figure out the arm lock.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 143 Magic Arm Kit:
This is an extremely useful kit. I recently used it at a concert. Due to a large amount of people going to these concerts I knew I wouldn't have space for a tripod. I just used this gear with a small video camera, clamped on a table and a post. Very flexible but when set, tightened it is extremely strong.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 143 Magic Arm Kit:
I mostly use this arm to hold my 7" monitor during Shoots.
What a god send it has been. Makes me wonder how I did things without it. Great build. Sturdy and very very durable. Luv it. I would definitely recommend everyone gets one.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 143 Magic Arm Kit:
works great for holding reflectors... my only issue is that the knobs have to be tightened down quite a bit to hold.
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
Cons
Best Uses
Most Liked Positive Review
Not all Magic arms are equal
I bought 2 of these kits to solve a lighting problem at a fashion event I was shooting at a place with a relatively low beamed ceiling (call it between 8-10 depending on if...Read complete review
I bought 2 of these kits to solve a lighting problem at a fashion event I was shooting at a place with a relatively low beamed ceiling (call it between 8-10 depending on if you were on the stage or not).
Essentially using the clamp to connect to the ceiling beams, and then using the magic arm to connect from the clamp to my Einstein moonlight (4 lbs) and UMF modifier - then running the cord along the beam with some clamps. The magic arm allowed me to position the lights roughly where I wanted them, and high enough to be out of harms way for the event (and a plug for the Einstein's here, the wireless control allowed me to adjust them without climbing a ladder).
The kit is interesting because it contains both a stand and a super clamp and a camera adapter in addition the Magic Arm, this gives you a lot of options. However, this Magic Arm is not a variable friction model and utilized a leaver you must flip 180 degrees to lock. That's different from the Magic Arm with the knob and friction control (which helps you position heavier things a little better and doesn't require the space to flip the leaver). I own both (now) - 2 of the leaver with/kit, and one variable friction model for cases where the levers may not cut it for space reasons (which so far I haven't found).
Bottom line here is there is a lot of value in the kit given the stands an clamps, with a slight loss in function in the Magic Arm compared to the more expensive variable friction model. It would be nice if they had the variable friction as a kit as well, but I suspect given the cost and feature deltas I'd still end up with 2 of these and one of those. It's hard to fault the value here, and the usefulness is outstanding - it's going to solve rigging problems by giving you options.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Mine was defective.
I'm going to still recommend this product because its usefulness outweight everything else. I tried to hold my 5dM2 with the clamp and it was too heavy for it. I could see putting other ...Read complete review
I'm going to still recommend this product because its usefulness outweight everything else. I tried to hold my 5dM2 with the clamp and it was too heavy for it. I could see putting other things however, within 3 weeks, the arm already wouldn't lock. Returned it.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 79 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-20
Previous | Next »
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 143 Magic Arm Kit:
Being able to use the Super Clamp to clamp the Magic Arm to anything, mount my camera (Canon 5D Mark III with a 70-200 f/2.8 II lens), clamp it down and have it locked in place, is great. Now I can get the remote shots I want without worry.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 143 Magic Arm Kit:
This will always come in handy as a third arm.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 143 Magic Arm Kit:
Good to use for situations where a typical light stand is too large or inconvenient. The super clamp is very handy for mounting a light source in unconventional places. The product is very durable and easy to use with unlimited creative possibilities.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 143 Magic Arm Kit:
I can't imagine how I went all this time in the video world without owning one of these. It'll hold a production monitor, small light, small camera and about a million other things, just about anywhere you want to stick it. WOW. This makes Noga arms look flimsy and worthless, and I've owned tons of those!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 143 Magic Arm Kit:
Really solid, more heavy duty than I imagined. Heavy for perhaps "on camera" or rig application, but this thing actually held a xl2 to a pole perfectly solid. Amazing for mounting cameras (and other production gear--lights, mics, etc) and placing them in virtually any direction. Everything locks up easily with 1 move.
My biggest thing is hoping that it lasts :) fingers are crossed it's at least a 3-5 year thing, it doesn't feel so amazingly made that it seems like it won't start slipping under weight eventually.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 143 Magic Arm Kit:
I've used this product for mounting my SLRs and speedlites on anything from another tripod to a mountain-bike or car. Everything has worked perfectly and met my expectations. I also bought the variable friction magic arm separately, and while that is easier to position and adjust in some situations, I have no concerns at all with the lever version and happily use them both.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 143 Magic Arm Kit:
It magically locks your position in one swift turn of the lock lever. Make that one 'tight' turn. The lever is tough to lock, but does the job. I believe the lever tension is adjustable, so I will try that before claiming it is too tough.I use it for mounting a monitor on my jib support.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 143 Magic Arm Kit:
I swear by Manfrotto and this is no different. I love the Magic Arm for attaching things in tricky places. I could go on and on about examples, but my suggestion is to get this, play with it, and you'd be surprised what you can do with it. The worst thing is needing it and not having it. You may not have a use for it right now, but you will. And if you have it when you need, you'll be glad you do.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 143 Magic Arm Kit:
I purchased this product to use with my 8" monitor. I loved it at first. Within a few uses, it tightens up, so much so that I can no longer use it. Manfrotto has been very supportive and sent me two replacements so far. I used my most recent one about a month and a half and it is failing. I may replace it with the Manfrotto 244RC Variable Friction Magic Arm with Quick Release Camera Bracket. I love Manfrotto, but not this product.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 143 Magic Arm Kit:
The kit is awesome. I took it out on a hike, fit in my backpack no problem. I was able to mount the arm to fallen branches, logs, rocks, posts, and with the tripod legs I could even use the ground. Not as good as a decent tripod, but for portability and compactability you can't beat this.
I'm also using it on my motorcycle and car to make rolling videos. Holds very firm, just need image stabilized lenses for the rest of the shake.
Weight wise the kit supports my 5D2 and 17-40L without and problems, even on my bike. I plan on using it on fences during sports events to record video while I shoot photos with another camera. I have no doubt the Magic Arm will work great.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 143 Magic Arm Kit:
Used to place a Canon 1D Mark 3 up high in a tent to shoot a time lapse for 8 hours. Worked perfectly!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 143 Magic Arm Kit:
I recently purchased the magic arm to have it ready for bike photos, or other events. I tried it out by attaching to my snow shovel, snow shovel cam! It worked out great. You need to make sure you have it all tight, but after that it worked like a charm!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 143 Magic Arm Kit:
Wanted to try some video and stills on my Mountain Bike. Wasn't sure if this would do the trick but it works perfectly! Highly recommend it.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 143 Magic Arm Kit:
I like this little baby. works great for indoor sports shooting when you can't blast people in the face but still need accent lighting from the stands so you don't have to shoot at a high ISO Setting!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 143 Magic Arm Kit:
The Magic Arm is is great for shooting DSLR Video from mounting the camera, monitor, or lights anywhere any time. I mainly use it for monitors and lights.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 143 Magic Arm Kit:
Very robust!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 143 Magic Arm Kit:
Like most things Manfrotto, this is built well, tough and durable. Took me a bit to figure out the arm lock.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 143 Magic Arm Kit:
This is an extremely useful kit. I recently used it at a concert. Due to a large amount of people going to these concerts I knew I wouldn't have space for a tripod. I just used this gear with a small video camera, clamped on a table and a post. Very flexible but when set, tightened it is extremely strong.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 143 Magic Arm Kit:
I mostly use this arm to hold my 7" monitor during Shoots.
What a god send it has been. Makes me wonder how I did things without it. Great build. Sturdy and very very durable. Luv it. I would definitely recommend everyone gets one.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 143 Magic Arm Kit:
works great for holding reflectors... my only issue is that the knobs have to be tightened down quite a bit to hold.