MID49 introduced the Twist System with their monitor mounts, and they are very cool. I recently reviewed the C80 cage and TWIST Monitor Mount, and I like the friction feature. It’s a simple but effective way to put a device in the right location with the freedom to pan or tilt depending on the placement of the Spud without loosening the thumbscrew.
C80 Cage with TWIST Monitor Mount 
For example, with the TWIST Monitor mount, the Spud goes on the monitor and pops into the 15mm Spud mount. It clicks in so it won’t fall out when loose. This is a great design. Tighten the thumbscrew so you can use the friction to adjust. It’s so simple and so effective. With the Monitor Mount, you have friction on the NATO clamp, monitor Spud, and the 15mm rod attached to the NATO rail. This gives you three friction points.
Build Your TWIST Ball System
Now, the TWIST design is incorporated into MID49 Articulating Arms with a Twist Ball. MID49 has created many components, all using the Spud design. The full list is below and online at MID49.
I like the ability to put my monitor in several locations on the cage. If I know I like to have a few different positions, I can purchase several Spuds, keep them attached to the cage, and move the TWIST Ball around really quickly. The versatility is very good. The MID49 cage for the C80 has so many ARRI Accessory taps, making it easy to get the device in the perfect position with the flexibility of the articulating arm.
The spuds come in several models. The popular ARRI standards include two anti-twist pins in 3/8 16″ and 1/4 20″ plus other configurations such as Sony and SmallHD. They offer a version in which the pins can be removed as well. They did an excellent job making the system as compatible as possible so you can use it on various cages and cameras.
They also offer Spud receiving adapters to add to your camera or cage. The cold shoe adapter looks handy as you lock the cold shoe adapter with an internal 1/4 20″ screw to the camera’s hot shoe or cold shoe on a handle or cage. They also have a cold shoe with the Spud receiving adapter. This makes adding a cold shoe mountable device a breeze.
Spud Options:
When ordering, you can choose two spuds or none. Most cost approximately $30 each.
- No Spud
- A 15mm friction hole with no mounting spud
- ARRI 1/4-20
- ARRI 1/4-20 with removable 3mm locating pins 10.4mm center to center
- Second set of holes for 3mm pins 15mm center to center
- Works with any cheese plate or accessory with ARRI standard 1/4-20 holes
- Works with Blackmagic Design PYXIS Monitor
- Works with recent SmallHD monitors like Indie 5, Cine 5, and Ultra 5
- Works with ARRI Camera Control Monitor CCM-1
- ARRI 3/8-16
- ARRI 3/8-16 with removable 3mm locating pins 15mm center to center
- Works with any cheese plate or accessory with ARRI standard 3/8-16 holes
- Works with Atomos Shogun Ultra Monitor-Recorder (ATOMSHG002)
- Canon C400, C300mkIII, C500mkII, LM-V2
- Works with Canon C400, C300mkIII, C500mkII, and LM-V2
- ARRI M6 Rosette
- Works with Z CAM 2.89″ EVF101
- Works with original PORTKEYS OEYE
- Sony / PortKeys 1/4-20
- Attaches to any of the Sony cameras with Sony locating pins like Burano, FX6, and FX9
- Works with Sony Burano EVF Pivot Adapter
- Works with PORTKEYS LH7P (be careful, the monitor is plastic)
- Works with PORTKEYS 5” BM5 IV
- L Bracket 1/4-20
- Includes the slotted L Bracket with two 1/4-20 screws
- Works with PORTKEYS LEYE III (note their HDMI cable may conflict with NATO rail in certain positions
- Works with original RED DSMC1 EVF
- Female ARRI 1/4-20
- Works with any 1/4-20 product, including those with ARRI spaced locating pins (3mm diameter pin on 10.4mm spacing center to center)
- Female ARRI 3/8-16
- Works with any 3/8-16 product, including those with ARRI spaced locating pins (3mm diameter pin on 15mm spacing center to center)
- 1/4-20 Rosette
- Works with 1/4-20 Rosette on the Kinefinity EAGLE SDI (or HDMI) e-Viewfinder
- Works with Zacuto Gratical, Gratical Eye, and Kameleon Pro EVF
- This is NOT a regular ARRI rosette
- Works with 1/4-20 Rosette on the Kinefinity EAGLE SDI (or HDMI) e-Viewfinder
- Old-Style SmallHD 1/4-20
- Older style SmallHD 1/4-20 with wide locating tabs
- Works with legacy 5″ SmallHD monitors like 501, 502, Focus 5, Focus Bolt, Action 5
- Works with legacy 7″ SmallHD monitors like 701, 702, Focus 7, Indie 7, Cine 7
- ARRI Viewfinder Wedge
- Works with ARRI standard EVF wedge products like EVF-1, EVF-2, MVF-1, MVF-2
- Works with other ARRI wedge adapters like ARRI VFA-4, K2.0015520, etc.
- Works with 3rd party products that utilize ARRI-style mounting wedges.
- Blackmagic Viewfinder Wedge
- Includes the NATO rail, Knuckle, and spud for Blackmagic Design dovetail wedges
- Works with URSA Cine EVF – CINEURSAB/EVF
- Works with URSA Cine EVF Extension – CINEURSAB/EVFEXT
- Works with PYXIS Monitor Kit – CINEURSABB/AMKIT
- Action Cameras (GoPro‚ DJI Osmo Action‚ Insta360)
- Standard receptacle for 2-prong action camera feet
- Works with GoPro, DJI Osmo Action, Insta360
- Works with many other 3rd party action camera products
- Sony FX6
- Attaches to the FX6 monitor to provide a rigid “flop stop” mount
- Monitor folding capability is maintained
- Male Hot Shoe
- Clamps to standard camera shoe mounts
- Female Hot Shoe
- Female shoe receptacle for standard shoe accessories
- NATO Rail
- Standard NATO rail with safety pins on each end
- Mounting area between pins is 30mm
- NATO Clamp
- Standard NATO clamp with ratcheting thumbscrew
- Clamping area between outside edges 21mm
- Tripod Expansion Adapter
- Includes a 5mm locating pin and 1/4-20 screw for attaching small cameras with a standard “tripod” mount
- Remove the locating pin and screw this adapter into any two 1/4-20 threaded holes between 16.5 and 33mm center to center
- Threaded ARRI 1/4-20 and 3/8-16 holes also available
Twist Ball
If you already have the MID49 Speed Ball Articulating Arm, you can purchase the TWIST Ball and add it to the mix. All the accessories for the Articulating Arms work with the new Twist Ball.
I’ve been using the Twist Ball for a few weeks, and it really works well. It can easily replace a monitor mount, so you have a versatile system that can pack away and be used by adding a Spud to your rig and device. The friction feature is what makes it unique. With articulating arms, you usually set it up and lock it down. If you need to readjust, you need to unlock and reposition. The freedom to grab the device and pan or tilt depending on the Spud location is convenient. The Spud can also be locked down tight with a very solid hold.
TWIST Ball components are compatible with the MID49 Universal Speedball and any other brand of 1-inch (25mm) ball attachment, such as Ultralight Control Systems or Wooden Camera.
Conclusion
The TWIST Ball is an innovative product that merges the articulating arm design with the convenience of a friction mount. It solves an issue I have had with arms in general. The vast selection of components to mount makes it easy to find the proper setup for your camera. They even have a cold shoe adapter. I will build on this system as it gives me options I never had before, and the adaptability is very good. I think having a few Spuds and the Articulating Twist Ball in your kit provides us with a lot of options.
