3 Legged Thing Pivot Magic Arms review

The 3-legged Thing Pivot Magic Arms come in two sizes, 150mm and 250mm. In this review I’ll take a look at both versions, with the shorter being ideal for attaching monitors, lights, and accessories to camera cages due to its short length and proximity to the action. While I found that the longer version was better suited for tripod attachment where you often need a little extra reach but still need to mount similar accessories.

The 3 Legged Thing Pivot Magic Arms 150mm and 250mm feature the usual two arm sections that rotate around a central joint, with ball sockets on either end with 1/4-inch threads. Unlike most magic arms on the market, one end has a simple ball socket with circular base and thread that’s designed to attach to a cage or tripod while the other end has a free rotating thread that can be screwed into the base of an accessory even when the rest of the pivot arm is locked into position. This design is useful when setting up, taking down, or moving gear, as it eliminates the need to disassemble equipment when moving from one setup to another fully. Essentially the accessory can be easily removed without loosing the position of the arm.

The 3 Legged Thing Pivot Magic Arms are classified by 3LT as pivot arms, but they incorporate elements of both friction and pivot arms. The two ball sockets use a friction system to lock and release so it’s easy to adjust the positioning, while the main swing of the two arms employs a Hirst coupling joint. This dual mechanism is unique in the world of pivot arms, with most companies opting for one or the other, and this design offers greater security when adjusting accessories. With a twist of the central locking nut, you can release the ball sockets to accurately position the arm while keeping the main body and angle of the arms locked. A further full twist allows you to release the teeth of the Hirst joint and rotate the arms fully.

This type of mechanism will definately appeal if you’re familiar with friction arms and the common frustration of monitors or accessories swinging out of place during adjustments.

3 Legged Thing is known for its innovative use of materials, and this is evident in its pivot arms, which focus on high-quality construction. The main arms are made from aerospace-grade magnesium alloy which is paired with stainless steel fixings that help to ensure strength and longevity.

The result is a pivot arm that feels extremely solid while maintaining a reasonable weight. The build quality is evident when you check the specifications and realise that this compact pivot arm can support up to 11 lb (5kg), which is more than enough for most monitors or hybrid accessories.

In use, the arm is extremely flexible with one end bolting directly into a camera cage or tripod, once the arms are in position the main locking knob can be part tighened to lock the position of the arms but still enable the ball sockets some movement. Then the accessory can be possitioned as needed and the large knob fully tighten locking everything in place. You can then mount a monitor or other accessory directly and if you need to adjust just part release the knob, position and tighten without fear of loosing the arms positioning. This design is already a step above most options on the market.

Ultimately, the build quality of the Three Legged Thing pivot arm is excellent, almost to the point of feeling a little over-engineered for the both sizes and the accessories it’s designed to hold. However, this high quality gives you the added level of reasurance and the benefits become apparent when attaching it to your camera cage or accessory, where the strength and durability of the pivot arm hold everything securely.

The 3 Legged Thing Pivot Arms are designed as to holding lights, monitors, microphones, and other accessories to your camera setup. Available in two different lengths the 150mm and 250mm versions, with the 150mm holding accessories close to the camera while the 250mm just gives you a little more distance and is expecially useful for use with tripods such as the 3 Legged Thing Charles 2.0.

The size relates to the fully extended length of 150mm or 250mm, providing a suitable distance from the camera for most 5- to 7-inch monitors, compact lights, and virtually all microphones designed for video use. Each end of the arm features ball sockets with, with a rubberised base and 1/4-inch threads, allowing easy attachment to your camera setup, tripod, or accessory.

The main build of the arm is from aerospace-grade magnesium alloy and stainless steel, the arms feel solid and of a high-quality. The threaded bases feature knurled metal rings, providing decent grip when bolting into your L-bracket or tripod. The main locking knob, positioned at the centre joint, is large enough to be easily adjusted even when wearing gloves. A key feature of this joint is the Hirth coupling in the centre, which locks securely when tightened. A half-turn releases the two friction ball sockets while keeping the main pivot joints in place, allowing for fine adjustments without completely releasing the arm’s position.

As with other 3LT products the Pivot Arms are available in colour options. They are available in “Lava” (black with orange accents) and “Darkness” (all black). For video use, “Darkness” is recommended to avoid reflections, as the “Lava” colour, while aesthetically pleasing, can reflect light on many surfaces.

The 150 mm version weighs 9.98 ounces (283 grams) and has a load capacity of 11 lbs (5 kg). The 1/4 “-20 threads on the end of the ball sockets ensure compatibility with a wide range of accessories. The use of aerospace-grade magnesium alloy and stainless steel provides durability as well as ensuring it all remains lightweight.

Using the Pivot Magic Arms is extremely easy. For example, with a Sony Alpha A7 IV and encase in a 3LT Arnie, it’s a simple case of bolting the fixed ball socket into the bottom edge of the L-bracket. Once in position, you release the locking knob in the centre, allowing the two arms to pivot freely around each other. You can then move the pivot arm into the desired position, give it a half twist to lock the arm at the required angle and adjust the ball head to get the right positioning. Another twist locks both the arms and ball sockets into place using friction.

A monitor, such as the Atomos Ninja V, can be easily screwed directly into the pivot arm and then if adjustments are needed, a twist of the knob releases the ball sockets without changing the arm angle, allowing for fine-tuning. Once the monitor is correctly positioned, tightening the locking knob secures everything.

Compared to other piviot arms, the two-step approach to releasing the joints and adjusting friction really stands out, although it’s worth pointing out that this can be done in one full rotation of the locking knob. With traditional friction arms, there have been many occasions where I have released the arm only to see the monitor or light to twist around unexpectedly and hit the tripod or camera. However, with the 3 Legged Thing Pivot Arm, the two-step locking mechanism prevents this from happening and gives you far more control.

During a full day of shooting, the Pivot Arm proved exceptionally useful. Once locked, it held absolutely steady with no wobble or movement. Another advantage is the freely rotating thread into the accessories, which means when moving your gear from one location to another, you can quickly detach the accessory while leaving the pivot arm in place.

Overall, the Pivot Arm works exceptionally well and the fact that it uses both friction and that hirst joint so effectively makes it a great option.

The use of accessory arms is now main stream for both photography and video and these arms make it increadibly easy to mount an accessory such as a light onto your camera so that you can quickly enhance macro or portrait photography without needing to switch to a flash. If you are a hybrid shooter, an accessory like the Pivot Magic Arm is essential.

There are many accessory arms on the market, varying in quality and design. The 3 Legged Thing Pivot Arm stands out not only for its high-quality build but also for its functionality and unique features that differentiate it from mainstream options.

The Pivot Arm is available in two versions: one with orange accents (“Lava”) and one in all-black (“Darkness”). The “Lava” version looks great and will appeal to many. In contrast, the “Darkness” version is ideal for videographers who prefer equipment that blends into the background and is as minimalistic as possible.

For anyone who has used friction arms and experienced accessories swinging around accidentally, the Pivot Magic Arm’s two-step twist locking mechanism, combined with its friction ball socket, is a great innovation. Throughout the testing period, accessories remained firmly in place unless adjustments were needed, showcasing its reliability and ease of use.

If you are in the market for a pivot arm, I highly recommend the 3 Legged Thing Pivot Magic 150mm and 250mm. Both are a superb choice for anyone looking for solid solution to coupling cameras and accessories.