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O’Connor Hydro-Pedestal/Tripod w O'Connor Model 50 Fluid Pan Head - $1,400 (Pasadena)
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O’Connor broke the mold when they made this unique, heavy-duty hydraulic camera pedestal. Whether you're in the studio or on location, this system is a conversation starter — a true piece of television and cinema history.
Nicknamed “The Star Wars Tripod” back in the day, thanks to its black-and-white styling that reminded many of Stormtroopers.
It was used back in the '80s — it was a classic then, and it still holds up today.
Restored and with some seals replaced.
Structurally solid with its magnesium and aluminum construction.
This is a hydraulic-pneumatic system, where the air canisters work in conjunction with the hydraulic fluid. The center column (air pedestal) functions perfectly, raising from ~30” to 60”.
The hydraulic legs may take some “fiddling” to equalize pressure if you need to elevate them — which is standard for this model.
Included:
O’Connor Hydro-Ped 102-B Hydraulic Pedestal
O’Connor Model 50 Fluid Pan Head
Hydro-Ped 102-B Features:
Hydraulic self-leveling on uneven terrain up to 40°
4× more rigid than traditional tripods
Adjustable center column from ~30" to 60"
Supports up to 100 lbs on the column
Factory-tested to 400 lbs on the legs
Magnesium/aluminum build — ~29 lbs
Folds to 30" × 9" with built-in carry handle
Comes with wheels.
Model 50 Fluid Head Features:
Smooth fluid pan and tilt for precise movement
Supports large-format cameras (ARRI, RED, Panavision, etc.)
Sold as-is