Manipulator stand, reasonably priced

Manipulator stands are priced bizarrely high. The Sutter model above starts at $760. If you want a taller one, or one with a linear slide, the price can go up to $1395 (price list).

This Scientifica one is about $1071.

If you’re looking for an alternative, here’s one made out of about $225 worth of Thorlabs parts.

Here’s a parts list:
XT66DP-500 (cut to length, can be done by hand with a hacksaw)
XT66-200
XT66P1
XT66RA2
XT66D2-50 (drill and tap holes as needed, this is easy)
XT66C2 (3x)
(In some cases, it may be possible to do with the XT66DP-500 and one XT66C.)

Below, here’s a lightfield shot of it, courtesy of the recently-arrived Labrigger Lytro camera. Click on different parts of the picture to refocus.