The Manfrotto Magic Arm set is a versatile and essential tool for photographers and videographers. It consists of a heavy-duty articulating arm that allows for precise positioning and stabilization of camera equipment. The arm is made of durable aluminum and features three adjustable joints, allowing for a wide range of motion and enabling photographers to position their camera in various angles and heights. One of the standout features of the Manfrotto Magic Arm set is its strong holding power. It has a maximum load capacity of 3 kilograms, making it suitable for holding heavy cameras, lights, or other equipment securely in place. The arm also features a quick-release plate system, which allows for easy and quick attachment and detachment of cameras or accessories.
How was it possible for a man like Gary Hallet to kiss his wife good night, close his eyes, and never wake again? His horse had died of grief two nights later, lying down on the earthen floor of the stable. Sally was stunned and devastated, and some people said she had lost a piece of her heart. Certainly, she seemed transformed. When she did say hello to her neighbors, which was rare, she made it perfectly clear she preferred to be left in peace. Sally had returned to school for her degree in library science at Simmons University, and now, at the age of forty-four, she was the director of the Owens Library. The only other employee was Sarah Hardwick, who had worked at the library for over sixty years, and who still made it a point of leaving every day at five o’clock on the dot, which allowed her to stop by the Black Rabbit Inn and have a cocktail at her regular time. Often, she didn’t report back until ten in the morning, especially if she’d had more than one drink. Sally didn’t begrudge Miss Hardwick the need to come in late and leave early at her age, and she didn’t mind the hours she spent working alone in the library, late into the evenings. She did her best to be helpful when she checked out books, or assisted students from the local high school, but everyone knew Sally Owens was embittered, and even more standoffish than she’d been as a girl.
There was no partner in the picture and when asked who the father of her unborn child was, Antonia merely shrugged and said it was a long story, which in truth it was not. To be honest, she wasn t even sure if she believed in love, but she definitely believed in children, as did Scott, who was two years ahead of her at med school, in a long-term relationship with another doctor, Joel McKenna.
The arm also features a quick-release plate system, which allows for easy and quick attachment and detachment of cameras or accessories. The Magic Arm set also includes a super clamp, which can be securely mounted onto various surfaces such as tripods, rods, or tables. The super clamp provides a stable foundation for the Magic Arm and ensures that the camera or equipment stays in place during shooting.
Review: The Book of Magic
Gardner Dozois writes in the introduction to THE BOOK OF MAGIC (Amazon) that he “[…] endeavored to cover the whole world of magic” (xv). The stories collected in this anthology cover a wide range of magical people and places. While there are plenty of wizards in robes, magic takes many shapes in this anthology.
It’s no mistake that THE BOOK OF MAGIC begins and ends with comic fantasy. The energy and humor of showcased in the first and last stories propels the reader into the anthology and sends them off with a smile. The first story, K.J. Parker’s “The Return of the Pig” follows a wizard reluctantly returning to his hometown to find a new magic user, while also trying to outwit his rivals. “The Fall and Rise of the House of the Wizard Malkuril” by Scott Lynch begins with a wizard, but ends with a sentient house and several tribes of kobolds trying to make it in a tough world. It’s funny and sweet at the same time. While these stories differ in scope and setting, they share a sense of the absurd and were some of my favorites in the collection.
There are also plenty of amusing and wry tales in between. “The Devil’s Whatever” by Andy Duncan or “No Work of Mine” by Elizabeth Bear were good examples of lightheartedness combined with tight writing. Duncan’s voice is especially strong in his story about the Devil’s son-in-law trying to extricate himself from a tricky trap laid by the old man.
Quite a few of the stories had at least some connection to an author’s previous works, whether they were returning to familiar characters or worlds. For example, the protagonist of Lavie Tidhar’s “Widow Maker” is Gorel of Goliris, whose stories are collected in Tidhar’s anthologies. I hadn’t read Tidhar before and this tale was strange and compelling, standing well on its own without the other stories as context.
THE BOOK OF MAGIC has a little bit of something for everyone. as long as you're looking for something Fantastical. A great read.
One of the few pieces that fell flat for me was “The Song of Fire” by Rachel Pollack, not because of poor writing, but because her story was so deeply enmeshed with her previous work that even the expository heavy-lifting she did couldn’t save the story for me. If you’re already a fan though, I’m sure this was a fun installment.
It was hard to choose stories to highlight for this review because the quality was high and I really enjoyed most of the offerings–this would be a great way to browse and discover authors to love. For me I also rediscovered old favorites. It’s been a while since I’ve read Megan Lindholdm (aka Robin Hobb) (“Community Service”) or Kate Elliot (“Bloom”), and both of their selections reminded that I should remedy that soon. Lindholm’s story was a modern fantasy with a super creepy toy-eating witch while Elliot’s offering was a more traditional fantasy setting but with an interesting magic system and an unlikable protagonist who had a nice arc. Other old favorites that caught my attention included “The Staff in the Stone” by Neil Gaiman, a story of a wizard who wants to be left alone but is forced to out himself from hiding to save the village he resides in.
If you are looking for urban fantasy, Greg Van Eekhout’s “The Wolf and the Manticore” was set in LA with hints of a radically different future and some cool bone magic. If you’re looking for more slipstream, steampunk, or urban fantasy, you might be advised to look elsewhere. This is fantasy with a capital “F.”
Each story is about 30 pages, which I mention only because that’s long enough to potentially produce bloated stories stuffed with unnecessary words and characters. Luckily for readers, THE BOOK OF MAGIC contains stories that use their word count wisely to bring together fantastic characters and magic in an entertaining array. A strong anthology with a number of memorable stories, THE BOOK OF MAGIC will delight readers.
- Recommended Age: 12+
- Language: One or two stories with more language, most with very little.
- Violence: Yes. Magic can do nasty things to people, but generally not tons of gore.
- Sex: Very little. Allusions mostly.
Additionally, the Manfrotto Magic Arm set comes with a camera bracket, which can be attached to the end of the arm. The camera bracket allows for easy mounting of cameras and provides additional stability. It also features a 360-degree rotation mechanism, enabling photographers to capture shots from different angles without having to move the arm. Overall, the Manfrotto Magic Arm set is a versatile and reliable tool that offers flexibility and stability to photographers and videographers. Its durable construction, strong holding power, and adjustable joints make it an essential accessory for any camera setup. Whether it is used for studio photography, outdoor shoots, or video production, the Magic Arm set provides a solid anchor for camera equipment and allows for creative positioning and capturing of shots..
Reviews for "Master the Art of Macro Photography with the Manfrotto Magic Arm Set"
1. John - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with the Manfrotto magic arm set. The arm itself didn't seem very sturdy and felt like it could easily break with regular use. The locking system also didn't work very well, as the arm would often come loose during shooting and not hold the desired position. Overall, I found it to be unreliable and not worth the money.
2. Sarah - 3/5 - I had high hopes for the Manfrotto magic arm set, but it didn't quite live up to my expectations. While the arm itself is decently designed, the attachments that came with it were not very compatible with my equipment. I had to purchase additional adapters and connectors to ensure everything fit properly, which added to the overall cost. It's definitely not the most versatile or user-friendly option out there.
3. Michael - 2/5 - The Manfrotto magic arm set fell short on durability. Within a few uses, the arm started to show signs of wear and tear, with some parts even breaking off. The knobs for adjusting the arm were also difficult to tighten properly, often resulting in the arm slipping and not holding its position. I expected better quality from a brand like Manfrotto, and this product definitely did not meet my standards.
4. Emily - 2/5 - I regretted purchasing the Manfrotto magic arm set as it didn't provide the stability and versatility I was looking for. The arm would often droop under the weight of my camera, making it challenging to find the desired angle. The overall build quality also felt cheap, and I had concerns about its durability. I found myself constantly readjusting and tightening the arm, which was a frustrating experience. I ended up returning it and investing in a more reliable option.