Top Stage (for non steadicam purposes)

[John Kopec]

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.

[Tom Wills]

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

[John Kopec]

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.

[Frederic Sturm]

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 =).

[Michael Wilson]

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.

[John Kopec]

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

[Marc R. Berger]

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