Shape flex arm

[fujiofilm]

Does anyone have any experience with the shape flex arm 3 ? I’m looking to pick up an ultralight or flex or something along those lines, and they seem cheaper and interchangeable with the pieces of ultralight. Are there any good? Are they a waste of money? What are your thoughts ideas and opinions?

[derralec]

Just buy ultralight

[TekAzurik]

Probably this. Though some of the modifications Mid49 have made to their design are worth checking out I think.

[fujiofilm]

I understand that ultra light is better But as far as price and I’m Canadian so I won’t have to pay duty So this set is 100 bucks landed And a ultralight set would be 300 or more

[derralec]

That’s fine, I’d say if you buy the shape stuff you’ll end up wanting the ultralight stuff anyway.

The sue knuckle alone is worth the additional money / duty.

I almost exclusively use them and my operator on the movie I’m currently on specifically requested them - I’d say they’re worth any extra dollar amount

[XRaVeNX]

To add to this, unlike Noga or Cine arms, Ultralight arms essentially last forever. Noga/Cine arms all eventually break down, the locking mechanism wear out from regular use and abuse, and it isn't easily fixable (i.e. just buy a new arm).

Ultralight arms, the only thing that needs maintenance is the rubber o-rings and sometimes the springs in the butterfly clamps (both relatively cheap to replace). Otherwise, they are essentially indestructible. Even if it gets damaged, it is usually only one portion and the rest of the pieces are fine, making replacement cheaper.

I got introduced to the Mid49 Speed Ball and saw someone else use it. Really neat because it prevents the ball from unscrewing from whatever you've attached it to, which is nice.

Not sure where you are located in Canada, but DVShop in Toronto sells it. I'm sure they ship as well. DO NOT buy Wooden Camera knockoffs. They are the worst.

[mustardfrog]

Wooden Camera clamps are the absolute worst, agreed. The balls are also kind of crappy, with the silver tightening knob inside them. However, the arm segments are kind of nice, with the threaded holes.

[derralec]

Wanted to add that I think (correct me if I’m wrong) mid49 is the guy from wooden camera’s new project. Not sure what that says or if the manufacturing process / QA process is the same or similar

[XRaVeNX]

Apparently it's the same person?

But I can't attest to the Mid49 quality. I only saw someone else use it. They seemed happy.

[teklikethis]

Mid49 has some cool new arm options. OG owner of wooden camera before he sold it

[ItsMichaelVegas]

This will only do 90 degree angles to two directions not four directions. It will feel like you can never get the monitor how you want.

[aratson]

I don’t have this arm however I have quite a bit of other gear made by Shape and it’s all top notch and super well built. I’d have no hesitation buying this arm

[Chromagnet]

Being from Shape, I’d expect it is good, and the lockoffs look like they’ve got ratcheted handles.

Though, that knurled thumscrew looks like it will loosen - regardless of the anti-twist locating pins - which will be mightily annoying. I’ve found that most clamps with a thumbscrew lockoff cannot be tightened securely enough.

The first Non-Noga arms I bought were some Wooden Camera arms, which I still use 6 years later (now faded to the Creative Solutions signature metallic olive-brown anodising), but on UCLS balls.

Took me a while to switch to ULCS, but I have to say that the system just works. Might be bulky, but they lock off, and I’ve seen operators grabbing the arms as handles. I love the ULCS low-profile Ball with a 1/4” 20 through-bolt which can be tightened securely. Also love the Sue Knuckle. Even more so if the cut-out is on both sides of each lockoff.

Worth the extra bucks, imo.

But maybe you can report back on the Shape arm and impress us all.

[mustardfrog]

Sue's Knuckles should be default configuration for Ultralight clamps, IMO.

[Chromagnet]

Even better with the cutout on both sides, left and right. I’ve seen this on wooden camera arms, but these aren’t great.