Manfrotto Magic Arm
Discussion
Does anyone else's smell? Strange question I know, but sometimes when I'm locking and unlocking it into position it makes an odd grinding noise and starts to smell a little bit at the joints. I also had this with my last one which subsequently broke. I'm just wondering if this is normal or a sign of it about to break again.
XG332 said:
4Lmike said:
its brand new though so shouldnt really need it.
It may do, i work at jessops and we often have to do the finishing touches to supports. Like tigtening bolts on legs, fitting heads fully and freeing up joints to name a few.ian in lancs said:
XG332 said:
4Lmike said:
its brand new though so shouldnt really need it.
It may do, i work at jessops and we often have to do the finishing touches to supports. Like tigtening bolts on legs, fitting heads fully and freeing up joints to name a few.I fail to see your problem.
//dean said:
It sounds like you have the quick release version, which is awful? Mine broke within 2 weeks, its also a pig to compose as it snaps into place. You need the other version.
I do, and yes it's proving to be rubbish. I think I will send it back and get the screw-tightening one.XG332 said:
ian in lancs said:
XG332 said:
I fail to see your problem.
I rest my case and one of the reason why I don't buy anything from Jessops.ETA 'one of'
Edited by ian in lancs on Saturday 23 October 09:54
Once in Jessops I overhead a call from a customer presemably asking if a [D300s] was in stock. Yes was the answer and yes it was brand new and not a dispay model. Cue salesman rushing to take said D300s off the display shelf, having previously been demo'd by a clueless oik and played with by a customer that had left, disapear into the back and repackage for prospective customer. Ten mins later customer in and being shown ceremonially 'opened' D300s in its box; the previously broken seal covered by salesman. Utter twunts. And yes I did tell the customer.
A 'tog friend off mine quit as branch manager because he couldn't stand this kind of encouraged behaviour.
Edited by ian in lancs on Saturday 23 October 18:01
ian in lancs said:
XG332 said:
ian in lancs said:
XG332 said:
I fail to see your problem.
I rest my case and one of the reason why I don't buy anything from Jessops.ETA 'one of'
Edited by ian in lancs on Saturday 23 October 09:54
Once in Jessops I overhead a call from a customer presemably asking if a [D300s] was in stock. Yes was the answer and yes it was brand new and not a dispay model. Cue salesman rushing to take said D300s off the display shelf, having previously been demo'd by a clueless oik and played with by a customer that had left, disapear into the back and repackage for prospective customer. Ten mins later customer in and being shown ceremonially 'opened' D300s in its box; the previously broken seal covered by salesman. Utter twunts. And yes I did tell the customer.
A 'tog friend off mine quit as branch manager because he couldn't stand this kind of encouraged behaviour.
Edited by ian in lancs on Saturday 23 October 18:01
Yes it does happen. But not in our shop. If a customer orders one online we would ring them to ask if they want the display one.
Oh well, tbh I don't really care
Is oiling a Magic Arm a good idea, since it relies on friction to hold itself in place?
These things are pretty ubiquitous in the broadcast industry, and are pretty much used without any maintenance whatsoever. Consequently, they end up pretty battered.
Failures seem to be rare, although with the snap tightening models, they do get loose over time, and require tightening.
The screw tightening versions are better, or at least, easier to use, in my experience. I've never noticed either model smell of anything unusual, although if I remember, I may just have a sniff next time I use one (when no one's watching of course!).
These things are pretty ubiquitous in the broadcast industry, and are pretty much used without any maintenance whatsoever. Consequently, they end up pretty battered.
Failures seem to be rare, although with the snap tightening models, they do get loose over time, and require tightening.
The screw tightening versions are better, or at least, easier to use, in my experience. I've never noticed either model smell of anything unusual, although if I remember, I may just have a sniff next time I use one (when no one's watching of course!).
Whilst on the subject of Jessops and tripods. I have a Jessops Atlantic Delta tripod, which I bought in the early 1980's. The quick release head on that must have been on and off thousands of times over the years and still going strong and works perfectly. It would be interesting to know who actually made them for Jessops.
Super Slo Mo said:
Is oiling a Magic Arm a good idea, since it relies on friction to hold itself in place? These things are pretty ubiquitous in the broadcast industry, and are pretty much used without any maintenance whatsoever
Bingo! I was hoping someone would say this! I have no personal experience of them but as an engineer I suspected it. Hence my attack on the village idiots at Jessops. If it isn't merchantable quality send it back to the manufacturer, don't interfere. You don't know what you're doing and the manufacturer has no data to improve qulaity control so the situation gets worse. Therefore you are not 'helping the customer at all'.ian in lancs said:
Super Slo Mo said:
Is oiling a Magic Arm a good idea, since it relies on friction to hold itself in place? These things are pretty ubiquitous in the broadcast industry, and are pretty much used without any maintenance whatsoever
Bingo! I was hoping someone would say this! I have no personal experience of them but as an engineer I suspected it. Hence my attack on the village idiots at Jessops. If it isn't merchantable quality send it back to the manufacturer, don't interfere. You don't know what you're doing and the manufacturer has no data to improve qulaity control so the situation gets worse. Therefore you are not 'helping the customer at all'.Can I just make sure I am talking about nipping us a bolt on a tripod leg to stop it sliding when locked. The tripods even come with a tool kit to do just this.
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