This variable friction arm works amazingly well, and will hold anything I need to hang up in the rafters. Has held up a 1D body and a 70-200 with no problem.

It showed up a jumbled mess of parts. Thankfully there's not that many parts and intuition set things right in 15 minutes. So far I've tested this puppy in conjunction with a super clamp and it holds our DLRS and lens just fine in even the most awkward positions. Heaviest weight so far was just under 5 pounds and it came through like a champ. It'd be nice if the stud of this clamp was screw on removable so I use the standard stud that comes with the super clamp. The advantage of that would be the standard stud on the super clamp has a hex shape head that locks into place, whereas this arm's stud is circular and therefor will spin inside the super clamp. Not a deal breaker by any means, just be mindful when you set up.

Multiple use product that can be combined with other equipment to act as mini tripod, camera mount, flash mount etc. Very versatile and well built. No instructions included in box but directions are available on line.

Quick to adjust

These things are bullet proof! If you're thinking about other cheaper alternatives, you will sadly get what you pay for. There's a reason all the pro's use these arms!

I am using this adjustable tripod arm with iPads in the classroom. Along with a Graffiti Nottle this tripod is a perfect way to secure the iPads for stop-motion animation. The product is well designed, totally flexible and adjustable in all directions.

I now have six of these, one in the regular form and the other five in this, the variable friction format. I use the conventional arm only rarely. The variable friction form is much easier to use.As a wheelchair user I use these arms to support cameras and flashes both in the studio and attached to my wheelchair when outside. I've also been known to use these arms to support my iPhone or iPad, a music stand (used for every thing from a writing desk and book support, to a place to put my lunch), and a MIDI controller.Now if Manfrotto could just raise the weight capacity 25 or 30 pounds, I'd be really happy. Pay attention to the company's stated weight capacity. I find that I can safely exceed them on occasion. But, I've also gone too far at times and found an over-extended and over-weighted arm pointing at the floor instead of the sky. Never use a setup that can cause catastophic loss. A fully extended Magic Arm holding up your shiny new $ Canon EOS-1D with a fat long lens is a really, really bad idea.I once bought a low-cost versions of this product. It was trash. I'd rather pay full freight and get something that works.

With my ongoing desire to re-invent my photography styles, I decided to research and purchase the 244N Variable Friction Arm by Manfrotto. In the past I had borrowed the 143 model for overhead lighting with a large softbox and it worked very well for getting the exact angle I was looking for. When reading the reviews between the two, it was apparent that this model has a little more precise angle with the adjustment wheel opposed to the arm on the 143 model. The main reason I purchased it was to be used on a beauty dish that I use on a regular basis for fitness model portfolios and the standard clamp was really limiting the angles in which could be achieved. This past week the 244 really impressed me with the quality, durability and functionality that you would expect from Manfrotto. I easily added it to the end of my boom stand and was able to get the exact angle I was looking to achieve with this product. The advice my pro photographer friend gave me was accurate. He claimed this one has a more precise lock down capability and he was right on the money. The part that really is interesting is the technology of the item. Looking at it you don't expect the stainless ends to firm up when you use it but to my surprise, the entire unit becomes one solid piece once you tighten the locking wheel. I would highly recommend this item despite the price being a little more than you would expect from such a small piece of equipment. But once you use it you will figure out that the design is quite interesting and performs very well and smoothly in the shooting conditions I was hoping for. Thumbs up to Manfrotto!

I love this magic arm. It works great for positioning all sorts of things and is very strong. I have used ti to hold lights, my camera (with the camera bracket), flags/reflectors, etc. I use it in combination with the 143BKT and super clamp to hold my camera in situations where a tripod is not available or not allowed. It works really well. I opted for this version over the version that lets you use the RC2 quick release plates because of the versatility. The 244 version with the RC2 only liets you use it to hold a camera as the bracket is fixed permanently to the arm (or at least permanently enough) to the arm and therefor you can't use it for much else than holding the camera. I may invest in the 244RC2 in the future when I have some extra cash, but in the meantime I am very happy with this arm and the many things it can do. I also debated between the 244N and the 143N. THe 143 is the original and it works really well, unfortunately the down side is that the friction machanism in it is pretty much and on/off decision. The 244 allows for variable friction which makes it much easier to make minor adjustments, especially as the one friction mechanism controls all three points of adjustment (the elbow and the two wrists, if you will). When you loosed it all three points are loose, when tightened all three are tightened. As you can tell this is why the 244 is much more flexible and easy to use. However if you don't need that flexibility, the 143 is still a great product and will save you a few bucks. All of the 143 attachments work with the 244. Anyways, I love this product and will probably pick up a couple more in the future. I also don't expect to have to replace any of them in the near future as they are really well made and strong.

The variable friction knob on this version is much better than the locking lever on my previous model. My favorite use of the Magic Arm is to replace my tripod while traveling in places that tripods aren't allowed.