Virtually every product Bright Tangerine releases has a key feature or two that solves major problems, and quality is a standard with them. This fully applies to their Titan arms. Whereas articulating arms commonly have a rosette-type center mechanism, Bright Tangerine’s Titan arms have a reinvented design based on a new center mechanism. The company calls it "core transmission technology.” This new technology generates 2.5 tons of pressure that’s sent up the two segments of the arm through pistons, all the way up to ball bearings at the end points. What’s achieved is friction, and that’s what the Titan arms are all about.
Normally with articulating arms, when you loosen the center joint, the entire arm instantly becomes floppy. When the center is tightened, all joints lock up. In the Titan arms, the center joint loosens and tightens gradually, and the arm articulates with a corresponding amount of friction. If you tighten the arm about 75%, for example, you can let go of it completely and it’ll stay in position—with your load mounted. But it will still be loose enough to let you adjust it further. You can do this slowly and comfortably, calmly adjusting the pivot points into precise positions. The arm can then be left at 75% so you can further adjust it throughout your shoot, or you can tighten it fully. A great benefit of this capability is that the arm won’t accidentally collapse and smash your monitor against your camera as you’re setting it up or taking it down.
There are two versions of the Titan arm. Both have the same technology, 11" length, and 3/8”-16 mount on one end and 1/4”-20 with a mounting disc on the other. But one has an additional key feature. The Titan Rigging Arm supports up to 26.5 lb. When you fully tighten the center joint on it, all the joints lock into place. This version is for heavy-duty applications. But the Titan Support Arm, which holds up to 17.5 lb, leaves one end point further adjustable.
On the Titan Support Arm, when the center is fully tightened, the 1/4"-20 end remains continually friction-adjustable. It’s only adjustable by hand. It won’t move on its own. The idea is that you can readjust your monitor (or other accessory) as needed throughout the shoot, while having the rest of the arm fully locked in place. The Titan Support Arm is perhaps the most practical articulating arm ever designed.
Additionally, the Titan arms are built with over-tightening protection. There’s no way to over-tighten the center joint because, at a certain point, it locks and can't be tightened any further. The design prevents over-torqueing of joints, as well as wear and tear for proper operation and long life. Moreover, the Titan arms are designed to endure harsh on-set and weather conditions. They’re made of anodized aluminum with hardened, damage-proof stainless-steel parts.
A few quick-release brackets are also available for interchangeable use with the Titan arms. They allow for a more comprehensive and efficient on-set workflow. All the brackets are compatible with both versions of the Titan arm. First, there’s the 1/4" Quick Release Bracket. On one side this bracket has a 1/4"-20 screw and on the other a rod port. It’s meant to screw into cheese plates, cages, and similar supports and provide a receptacle for the Titan arm to insert into by quick release. Once the arm is inserted, it’s locked in via a kip lever and safety eject button. With multiple of these brackets attached in different places, you can move the arm between them by quick-release as your needs require. Similarly, the 3/8" Anti-Twist Quick Release Bracket does the same thing, but screws into 3/8"-16 threads.
To insert and lock the Titan arm into these brackets, a 15mm Rod Adapter is required. The adapter attaches to the 3/8"-16 end of the arm and outfits the arm with the short rod necessary to fit into the quick-release brackets. Finally, there’s the 3/8" to 1/4" Anti-Twist Adapter, which is designed to attach to the 3/8" Anti-Twist Quick Release Bracket and provide an alternative to ARRI accessory mounts. It ensures the quick-release bracket won’t rotate out of the cheese plate or other support after hours and hours of shooting.
The Titan arms have a rich and beautiful look, with elegant colors. You can find them sold individually or in kits with the quick release brackets on the B&H website or in the B&H SuperStore. Share your thoughts, below!
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