Manfrotto 143BKT Camera Platform for Magic Arm

Yes it is. And it will fit any grip equipment with a 5/8" baby pin.

It will fit on any standard 5/8ths stud.

Yes.

It just gives you some flexibility. If I attach a magic arm to the bottom of the platform, I put it in the hole closest to the camera screw for stability. But if I need to hang everything from above, I might need to use the outer hole to give enough clearance to the camera. You can also use the second hole to mount a baby pin then you can add accessories like a flag, flash, matte box, a second camera, etc. The smaller hole at 90° to the others can hold an umbrella or diffuser if you mount a flash to the platform rather than a camera. Or it could just hold a pencil...

Yes it can be taken off ! It will work great.

Tom, Yes, you can remove the quick release plate. To remove: 1) remove the quick release plate from the quick release adapter. 2) remove the screw using a hex driver. 3) you will need to find a Tripod Mount Screw Convert Adapter for flash light stand (since I am not allow to include links, you can google to see what this item looks like) to screw into the magic arm. Make sure the threads on the screw converter adapter are correctly matched to the threads on the magic arm.The other alternative is do not remove the quick release plate. Just screw the Tripod Mount Screw Convert Adapter to the release plate and mount the 143BKT to the tripod mount screw convert adapter. Hope this help. Stan