John Kopec Posted March 15, 2014 Report Share Posted March 15, 2014 Hello all, I was wondering if anyone might have a lead on a potential simple/low-profile top stage without any electronics. Essentially a dovetail + clamp with fore and aft fine tuning abilities. Would love to find something ready-to-buy, rather then building one myself or taking apart an old sled. This would be for for something non-steadicam related, for another type of camera support. Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Tom Wills Posted March 15, 2014 Premium Members Report Share Posted March 15, 2014 John, A couple of options for you. If you want something really precise and small and light, that'll give you 2 axes of fine adjustment, a PRO DBII is probably the winner. It runs around $2550, and a dovetail will run you another $200ish. http://www.gpiprosystems.com/donkey-box-genII.php If you don't need 2 axes, and are okay with not having the fine tuning, you can go much cheaper though. Perhaps something like Justin Browne's SOS plate would work for you at $250 plus the same $200 for a dovetail. http://www.steadicamforum.com/index.php?showtopic=17150 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kopec Posted March 15, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2014 Thanks Tom. I did see that, though was looking for something less "robust" and slightly cheaper. At that price point I'd try making something first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Frederic Sturm Posted March 15, 2014 Premium Members Report Share Posted March 15, 2014 Hey John, Don't know the weight range you need, but maybe you could ask Tiffen about the price of one of their lower weight model's topstages such as the pilot / scout / zephyr ... as a spare part - I could imagine that might fit your needs. Or if you prefer something quick and dirty, yet rugged on a real tight budget, maybe a Manfrotto 357 Plate (or two, mounted at a 90* angle) might be something for you? No fine-tuning knobs, but adjustments are fast and depending on what you need exactly might be fine enough (or not =). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Michael Wilson Posted March 17, 2014 Premium Members Report Share Posted March 17, 2014 I have an old 3a topstage for sale. Haven't really gotten any bites on it. I'd make you a good deal if interested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kopec Posted March 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2014 Thanks Frederic, will touch base with Tiffen. Michael, can you email me with what you'd like to get for it? johnekopec@gmail.com Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Marc R. Berger Posted March 24, 2014 Premium Members Report Share Posted March 24, 2014 Hi John, this is a robust, but cheaper solution: http://www.igus.eu/wpck/2359/drylin_sht?C=DE&L=en Just take two and mount the crosswise. It´s a big solution, finally not very low profile, but you said you don´t need it for steadycam reason. Cheers, Marc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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