The # AMBITFUL MF-01 boom arm is a heavy duty arm built to a similar spec. as the Manfrotto 142CS boom arm. Both are chrome plated while the Manfrotto is powder painted on the head and pivot clamp sections. Having said that I think the actual boom arm might be stainless steel, so that it's just the furniture that are plated. It doesn't make a lot of difference either way though. I'm not sure how the chrome plating will fair on the Ambitful and suspect it may be only thinly applied and start chipping off (I'll sand blast it and paint it if it does!). One other omission that the Ambitful is lacking is a place to attach a safety cable (just in case the light falls). Considering the very similar specifications between this and the Manfrotto I think it’s a great shame it doesn’t have one. The over all quality is excellent and there are some useful features adopted from the Manfrotto version. On the half-round pivot clamp, the handle is able to pull out and move freely around (disengaging from the tightening bolt) so to avoid it getting in the way. This is true of the tightening handle on the boom shaft too but I noticed that the adjustment screw needs to be undone so far (it's technically prevented from unscrewing further by a spring loading). However, the spring is fairly weak so I've simply tightened it fully and forgone the ability to disengage it as that is of little benefit. There is a flat on the clamp's post so that you can either attached it to a standard light stand spigot or you can use a heavy duty light stand. The flat is aligned with the stands tightening bolt and prevents rotation. A similar flat area can be found on the booms spigot on the end (where the light attaches). This is far more useful (essential in fact) as it allows a heavy light to be held horizontally without rotating under gravity. I like the addition of a set of thick brass washers on the pivot clamp. They allow for a smooth movement whilst gripping on the serrated track at any position. I thought (like some other systems) that the serrations would mean the clamp could only fix in certain points. However, it will happily slide in any position and the serrations are simply for grip when its tightened. The foam hand grab area on the end of the boom is of excellent quality and well fitted. However, I had to remove a section to allow the clamping of a counter-weight. The sand bag weight that comes with the boom looks OK but I already had a good Manfrotto weight that works better. I prefer my counterweights to be clamped to the boom and not swinging from the eye hook on the end. I'm not sure if I'd trust the karabiner that comes with the supplied sandbag in any case! Due to the weight of the boom, counter weight and light / modifier, I would only be using this set-up on a good quality light stand (preferably a heavy duty one). I'd also use a sandbag on the stands base for extra safety. There's a good amount of extension of the boom but the workable extension will be dependant on the weight of the attached light and the counter weight. If you have a heavy light / modifier and want to extend the boom, then you will need a very heavy counter weight or you'll need to slide the boom back to allow the weight to hang over more to counter the lights weight. Either way, your aim is to balance the set-up for safety and to put minimal strain on the clamps. I'd highly recommend this boom arm if you want something heavy duty but don't have the budget for a Manfrotto boom. P.S. The cable clip were not included on my boom, as illustrated in the Amazon description. My images show the clips I already had lying around. I've knocked a star off for the chrome plating, sandbag (especially the karabiner, locking handle and the absence of a cable clip).