Our technical column ‘New Gear’ sees an overview of the SHAPE’s Revolt Push-Button Magic Arms – by Tom Waugh
Push-button systems have become a popular choice for handles on camera rigs because of the tool-free design.
With many camera setups now including monitors, recorders, microphones and other accessories – which in general can be fiddly to attach and adjust – shooters will be pleased to see the SHAPE design has made its way to support these kind of accessories too.
The SHAPE Revolt Push Button Arms incorporates ease of adjustment and strength into a tiny device that can rotate 360 degrees on the horizontal and vertical axis in the 2A model, or four axis in the 4A model.
You can change a monitor setup from facing the camera operator to the side for a director or producer by simply pushing the lock button to release, and twisting the joint to adjust.
While not a completely new product, it is a revision helped by ARRI Australia and John Barry Sales to include the 3/8” 16 with ARRI standard anti rotation pins on the camera end of the arm.
It’s great to see companies taking on feedback for better integration and overall user experience.
“It’s great to see companies taking on feedback for better integration and overall user experience.”
The product comes in two versions, a two axis and a four axis. Bioth use the push button locks meaning no drooping monitors or electronic view- finders halfway through a take like the ball style arms. Although more limited on placement than ball style arms, I found the rigidity benefit to outway the placement limits.
Despite being small in size, it’s strong and remains locked in place unlike many cheap magic arms. It can be attached to any camera rig and accessories via the 1/4” screw, or onto 15mm rods.
They’re mad by Canadian manufacturer SHAPE, and feature locking bush buttons, the same as have been cropping up on their other rig components. You push them down when you want to make adjustments and when you’re happy you let them go and they lock into place.
The two axis would suit a basic liquid- crystal display setup for low angle filming, and the four axis is more suited to a First Assistant Camera’s monitor, allowing for high and low angle with a larger reach and angle options.
The magic arms are part of SHAPE’s Revolt range of camera accessories. In Australia they can be purchased from John Barry Sales or ARRI Australia.
Tom Waugh works for Ignite Digi and is Chairman of the ACS Technical Committee.