Magic arm support is a device that is designed to provide support and assistance to individuals who have limited mobility in one or both of their arms. It is a type of orthopedic device that can be worn on the arm and is commonly used by individuals with conditions such as arthritis, muscular dystrophy, or other physical disabilities. The magic arm support works by using a combination of straps, supports, and joints to help stabilize and support the arm. It is typically made of lightweight, durable materials such as plastic or metal and is adjustable to fit the individual's specific needs. One of the key features of the magic arm support is its ability to allow for a range of movement while still providing support. The device is designed to allow the individual to perform everyday tasks such as eating, writing, or using a computer, while reducing strain and fatigue on the arm muscles.
With the Articulated Arm, if I need to raise the flash a bit all I need do is loosen one joint -- perhaps the elbow, perhaps the wrist -- and move the flash into place. After doing so, I might find I'm still 'off' by a bit, and I might loosen another joint, maybe the shoulder this time, and do my fine-tuning. While this takes longer than doing the adjustment by loosening an Arm with just one knob, I think you can see that this also allows very precise and methodical adjustment changes.
By loosening the locking knob at the elbow, or any of the other knobs, for that matter, one can slide the tube portion of the arm to or fro to either shorten, or to extend the arm to its maximum length. With the Articulated Arm, if I need to raise the flash a bit all I need do is loosen one joint -- perhaps the elbow, perhaps the wrist -- and move the flash into place.
The device is designed to allow the individual to perform everyday tasks such as eating, writing, or using a computer, while reducing strain and fatigue on the arm muscles. The magic arm support can be used by individuals of all ages and can be particularly beneficial for those who have recently undergone surgery or experienced an injury that has resulted in limited mobility in the arm. It can also be used as a long-term solution for individuals with chronic conditions or disabilities.
Wildlife Photography
One of the most versatile pieces of equipment I own is the Bogen Articulated Arm. I use it for holding flashes, sometimes for supporting a camera, and often for holding a prop or securing a hummingbird feeder at one of our Arizona or Costa Rica hummingbird sets. I've used these arms for years, yet I'm surprised, each year, when I showcase the equipment needed for our hummingbird setups how few people know about them.
I was first introduced to these Bogen arms at the start of my photo career over 25 years ago. I had purchased a beefier model that's still available, the Bogen Magic Arm (model 2930) from a local camera store, drove home, opened the box, and found that I was missing the vital piece of equipment necessary to use it -- the Bogen Super Clamp that attaches to the other end! I drove back, bought the second piece, and was in business.
Since then the Bogen Magic Arm has been improved with a similar model, the Bogen Variable Friction Arm (model 2929) that uses a knurled knob that, by rotating, gradually tightens the joints and locks the Arm into place. With the original model, the Magic Arm, a single lever accomplishes this, but the transition from loose to locked is rather abrupt, and without care the angle and position of the Arm may move while locking. This doesn't happen with the Variable Friction Arm, so for my money it's worth the slightly higher expense.
All three models are called 'Arms' because they function quite similarly to our human arm in terms of movement. On one end is a detachable Camera platform with a 1/4 - 20 screw thread. On the other end is a bare stud, onto which one normally mounts the Super Clamp. The end with the camera platform functions like a wrist -- think of the platform as the hand; the other end is the shoulder joint - the super clamp being the shoulder, and the juncture in the middle is the elbow of both arms. Just as your hand and arm can twist and bend in an almost infinite number of directions, so too can all three of these Bogen Arms, which makes placement of flashes or accessories very, very flexible.
One feature of the Articulated Arm I really like is illustrated by the image on the left. By loosening the locking knob at the elbow,
or any of the other knobs, for that matter, one can slide the tube portion of the arm to or fro to either shorten, or to extend the
arm to its maximum length. By default the arm tubes are positioned at their full length. I find this feature extremely useful
when I am fine-tuning a manual flash lighting ratio, where movements of just an inch or two may make a difference in
as much as one f-stop when I'm working close in with hummingbirds -- you all remember the inverse square law, don't you?
While I've just described all three Arms, my recommendation for newcomers is the least expensive of the three, the Articulated Arm. In this model, there are three different controlling levers for controlling the movement of the wrist, elbow, and shoulder joints. While that may seem cumbersome compared to the one locking lever of the Magic Arm, or the variable friction knob of the Variable Friction Magic Arm, and it is a bit slower to use, those disadvantages are offset by the control you have. With either of the other two, you must have the Arm's position set exactly where you want it when you lock it into place. If an adjustment needs to be done, the lock must be loosened and the fine-tuning done, at the risk of the other joints going out of place.
With the Articulated Arm, if I need to raise the flash a bit all I need do is loosen one joint -- perhaps the elbow, perhaps the wrist -- and move the flash into place. After doing so, I might find I'm still 'off' by a bit, and I might loosen another joint, maybe the shoulder this time, and do my fine-tuning. While this takes longer than doing the adjustment by loosening an Arm with just one knob, I think you can see that this also allows very precise and methodical adjustment changes.
The Articulated Arm is the least expensive of the three Arms and, as I said, perhaps the one to start with if you're thinking of doing a flash setup for macro or hummingbird photography. Most of our Arizona Hummingbird flash setups use the Articulated Arm, and I also use these for supporting the tube feeder used as bait. Accordingly, each hummer set uses at least 5 Articulated Arms.
If you find that you need the stronger, and heavier, Magic Arm I can assure you that your Articulated Arm won't be neglected. You'll still use it for holding props, or a flash, or a feeder, while the stronger Magic Arms (I'd recommend the Variable Friction model) support your heavy flashes. By the way, I'm talking about heavy flashes here -- studio model types. The Articulated Arm will easily support any hotshoe-style flash -- Canon, Nikon, Vivitar -- that you'd normally use for hummingbird work.
Do I love these things? You bet! For years, and virtually since I started in photography, I've owned about six, and those carried me through the beginning of my wildlife photography career. Those Arms still work -- they are beat up, sticky with tape from attaching props like sticks or branches, but they work. Now, as we conduct our hummingbird shoots where we have at least six or seven sets going, and often more for remote projects or off-location, portable shoots we do for kangaroo rats, owls, or whatever, well I now carry over 30 Arms of various types, and about 40 Super Clamps to mount them to.
Why more Super Clamps? Sometimes I replace the detachable camera platform (where I mount the flashes) with another Super Clamp so that I have one on either end. One attaches to whatever support I'm using -- a chair, light pole, tripod leg, etc., and the other clamps onto a prop I wish to support -- perhaps a branch or a background panel. If you own several Arms, chances are you'll want to get an extra Super Clamp or two.
Good camera stores should have all of these Bogen products in stock, as will the various catalog stores. I order mine from my favorite store, Allen's Camera (215 - 547-2841), whose prices match and usually beat NY catalog super stores, and the service is always first class.
Our Past Photo Tips of the Month:
While I've just described all three Arms, my recommendation for newcomers is the least expensive of the three, the Articulated Arm. In this model, there are three different controlling levers for controlling the movement of the wrist, elbow, and shoulder joints. While that may seem cumbersome compared to the one locking lever of the Magic Arm, or the variable friction knob of the Variable Friction Magic Arm, and it is a bit slower to use, those disadvantages are offset by the control you have. With either of the other two, you must have the Arm's position set exactly where you want it when you lock it into place. If an adjustment needs to be done, the lock must be loosened and the fine-tuning done, at the risk of the other joints going out of place.
Overall, the magic arm support is a valuable assistive device that can greatly improve the quality of life for individuals with limited mobility in their arms. It provides the necessary support and stability to help individuals maintain independence and perform daily activities with greater ease and comfort..
Reviews for "Magic Arm Supports and Occupational Therapy: A Powerful Combination for Rehabilitation"
1. Samantha - 1 star - I was really disappointed with the Magic arm support. It definitely did not live up to the hype. The material felt cheap and uncomfortable against my skin. The straps were also really flimsy and did not provide enough support for my arm. I ended up returning it and finding a different product that actually worked.
2. John - 2 stars - I wanted to like the Magic arm support, but it just did not work for me. First of all, it was very difficult to adjust the straps to a comfortable fit. The product also did not provide enough stability or support for my injured arm. I don't think it lived up to its claims and I would not recommend it to others who are looking for a reliable arm support.
3. Claire - 1 star - The Magic arm support was a complete waste of money. The design was not user-friendly and I found it extremely uncomfortable to wear. The straps constantly slipped and did not stay in place, which made it even more frustrating to use. I regret buying this product and I would advise others to look for better options on the market.
4. Michael - 2 stars - I had high hopes for the Magic arm support, but unfortunately, it fell short for me. The straps were difficult to adjust and did not provide the necessary support for my injured arm. It also did not feel secure and was constantly shifting while I was wearing it. Overall, I was not impressed and I would not purchase this product again.
5. Emily - 2 stars - The Magic arm support did not work well for me. First of all, the sizing was off and it was not comfortable at all. The straps dug into my skin and caused discomfort throughout the day. Additionally, the support it provided was minimal and did not alleviate the pain in my arm. I would not recommend this product to anyone dealing with an arm injury.