Tilta has just launched a new handy accessory, although this type of product is hardly new. Yet, the new Tilta Mini Articulating Arm has some neat tricks up its sleeve and is quite affordable for what it has to offer!
If you’ve ever worked on a half-decent film or TV set, handled a camera bigger than a smartphone one, or got paid for anything related to the so-called camera department, then you probably know what an articulating arm is. It’s the Swiss Army knife of ACs, camera OPs, and even lighting techs. You can attach anything to anything, quickly and neatly. Smaller ones for the camera department, larger ones for the lighting crew.
The thing is that articulated arms come in very different sizes, shapes, connection endpoints and so on. So, it would be nice to have one base system and be able to change connectors depending on the task at hand, right? That’s where the Tilta Mini Articulating Arm series comes in.
Also make sure to check out our previous article that features some other Tilta accessories in addition to this new articulating arm.
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Tilta Mini Articulating Arm
Only one type of endpoint is currently available (and two of those are included with the purchase, one for each end of the arm): a 1/4″-20 screw with two spring-loaded locating pins, perfect for attaching a SmallHD monitor to the camera, for example. More connectors will follow, and Tilta already shows a whole range of future connectors:
All of these “modules” have one thing in common: they feature a ball head that connects to the base articulating arm. You may now be thinking of the popular ULCS (UltraLight Control Systems) arms, and you’d be right. However, most (but not all) ULCS equipment is more geared for underwater shooting, while Tilta is aimed at independent filmmakers and solo camera owners/operators, I think.
It’s nice to see that the base arm has additional slots to maximize the ability to easily rotate and position the endpoints.
Pricing
The new Tilta arm is made of aluminum alloy and stainless steel, comes in black with a forest green accent color, and I think it could be a pretty useful accessory for any gear bag out there, especially since it’s pretty affordable: the standard arm with the two aforementioned 1/4″-20 screws with locating pins at the ends costs only $29.
This new articulating arm measures 3 x 3.5 x 3 inches (7,6 x 8,9 x 7,6 cm) and weighs 0.333 lbs (150 g).
Link: Tilta website
What do you think? Would such an articulating arm be useful for your camera setup? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
