The Stage One is a multi-purpose slider system designed for those that need to travel light and pack small without being limited to pocket cameras and short slider movements. The Stage One is one of the lightest and most extensible slider systems on the market. Don't let the low price fool you: this is a professional piece of kit loaded with features. From high-precision machined rails and super-smooth Delrin wheels, to adjustable friction brakes and motorized operation, the Stage One will meet or exceed your needs for dSLR video and timelapse work.
Stage One is the perfect balance of capability, portability, and affordability.
The Stage One is a contender in the field and in the studio. As a manual slider, it shines - the simple friction braking design on the Stage One lets you get smooth starts and stops without bulky cranks and cumbersome belts. For timelapse shooting, it offers the ability to use the MX2 just like the Stage Zero to shoot engaging timelapse videos on a budget. Compatible with a huge array of support systems : 1/4x20, 3/8x16, and light stand mounts are standard support connectors on the job and standard connectors on the Stage One.
With several different plate mounting options, the Stage One is ready for the next generation of motion controls - we're working hard on new motion control capabilities, from inexpensive real-time video controllers to expressive, repeatable motion upgrades, the Stage One is ready to take them all.
Other portable sliders stop short, but not the Stage One: it can take a full load, up to 15 pounds of camera. (10 pounds for vertical, motorized operation.)
One less case to carry around through a busy airport.
The core purpose of the Stage One design is to make a reliable camera slider/dolly for dSLRs that can be packed down as small, and as light as possible. To achieve this, the slider rails are made out of 21-inch 6061 aluminum tubes, with custom threaded inserts to mate up flush and strong every time. You can extend your slider to nearly any length as needed. (Motorized operation faces limits around 80 feet, due to belt tension, and absolute limits at 200 feet, due to belt length.)
The 21-inch tubes are the longest part of the slider system, why 21-inches you ask? They fit perfectly inside of the smallest maximum carry-on size for any US air carrier. Yes, you can easily fit a 63", or even 126" slider inside of your carry-on luggage! Forget big, custom cases and expensive carriers, the Stage One can fit in nearly any available luggage, without incurring oversize charges.
Every ounce of gear carried into the backcountry is one less ounce of food.
We know that weight is an issue for artists and filmmakers who shoot deep in the wilderness. We cut back weight everywhere we could while keeping the cost as low as possible. A complete, motorized 63" slider setup weighs only 9.5 lbs.
The tool I can't afford is the tool I can't use.
We know budgets are everything for independent filmmakers and hobbyists. We worked hard to get everything in the right price range. Yes, we could've made it lighter by using carbon fiber for everything, or we could've cut endless pockets in every part to shave one last ounce off - but such a heavy focus on weight would've priced out most of our customers. Instead, we started with a price and worked hard to get all of the features and capabilities we could at that price point. The result is a system that is both capable and portable, while still being in the reach of most shooters. Pick-and-choose components let you start with the base system today, and add upgrades tomorrow when more budget is available.
Check out the different options below for ways to buy the Stage One:
