Need some help......

[Itsuki]

i have a co worker who happens to be a local film-maker. i asked him if he could shoot some footage of the upcoming auto-x, and drift school events and comply it into a short video, he also runs a blogsite about local happenings and would add this to his site to help spread the word about scca events (he's ran a few auto-x's in his wrx). he also ran a few local film festivals. he and i agreed that some in-car shots would be nice but he doesnt own a camera mount and was wondering if someone would like to loan out their camera mount to him for a few runs on sat and sun to be used in various drivers cars.

[pikerttrash]

this is a great idea to have a camera man that is willing to help us out on getting exposer. I have a custom camera mount that will fit cars that have adjustable head rest

[JFine]

Bee, What kind of camera are we trying to mount? What kind mount does he need in the car? Suction cup mounts are good for light weight cameras but a fixed mount is needed for anything with weight.

[Itsuki]

dunno, ill ask

[glieb]

Bee, What kind of camera are we trying to mount? What kind mount does he need in the car? Suction cup mounts are good for light weight cameras but a fixed mount is needed for anything with weight.

I have a rollbar mount. :)

[Justin]

Josh, is there a solid criteria for safety regulations on suction cup mounts?

I know for in-car mounts everything has to be bolted somewhere. Is there some kind of safety guidelines for suction types? I imagine tie-downs so nothing physically falls off the vehicle is a good start...

[nm+]

Josh, is there a solid criteria for safety regulations on suction cup mounts?

I know for in-car mounts everything has to be bolted somewhere. Is there some kind of safety guidelines for suction types? I imagine tie-downs so nothing physically falls off the vehicle is a good start...
I've seen a lot of cars with just suction mounts even with nationals cars. I don't know if thats rules though.
In any event, if you're using anything worth any money you want more.

[macbuddy]

Itsuki,

Here is a simple solution that you might want to try.
1) Find a suitable, flat piece of metal (approx 18"-20" long)
2) Drill two holes for the headrest posts, and one for the camera mount
3) Take apart an old tripod, and re-use the camera mount hardware

(click 2-3 times below to enlarge)
http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/7118/pict0055w.th.jpg (http://img189.imageshack.us/i/pict0055w.jpg/) http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/7376/pict0056gx.th.jpg (http://img32.imageshack.us/i/pict0056gx.jpg/)


I've used this mount to make several videos. The only problems I had was a rattling noise from the camera strap, and also wind noise. Check out this video using this "Headrest Mount":
AutoX at San Joaquin Fairgrounds (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSoTV11-l8w)

On the last two videos below, I used the same camera mounting hardware, but bolted to the center "babyseat" belt strap provision in the back roof of my Honda Fit (w/o the metal bar). This was ideal, but in doing so, I had to mount the camera upside down. To flip the footage back right side up, I merely used a function in iMovie to make things right.

Cheers,
-macbuddy-

[Itsuki]

that would work on probably all cars without bucket racing seats but i think a large portion will they have so i might go suction cup. a roll bar mount will work too but then again with cars with roll bars, harness bars, and roll cages.

[Itsuki]

update! with some advice from justin ive made my own camera/camcorder mount and its looking good, should be able to withstand outside (on the car) shots too, but i dont think i'll risk the camcorder being shattered to a gajillion pieces if it doesnt, but i am very confident of it. if im not using it, anyone who wants to put it in their car can if they want. ill have it available for use at the auto-x and drift school events if u want to check it out :)

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff279/its_itsuki/carstuff003.jpg

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff279/its_itsuki/carstuff005.jpg

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff279/its_itsuki/carstuff008.jpg

[Justin]

Very nice! It looks similar to mine. :D

[JFine]

Ahh but Bee posted pictures of his :p

[BryanH]

Is that bent metal piece thick enough to prevent camera shake?

The HD Motorsports Hero (http://www.goprocamera.com/index.php?area=2&productid=30) will probably be my next in-car video solution. It's compact, rugged, has great video quality and reasonable audio and only $300 including the mount. Downside is there's no viewfinder so you have to make an edumacated guess at where you're aiming it.

[dbratten]

Is that bent metal piece thick enough to prevent camera shake?

The HD Motorsports Hero (http://www.goprocamera.com/index.php?area=2&productid=30) will probably be my next in-car video solution. It's compact, rugged, has great video quality and reasonable audio and only $300 including the mount. Downside is there's no viewfinder so you have to make an edumacated guess at where you're aiming it.
I mounted mine on the inside of the windshield near the mirror and twisted it around to what I thought was a good angle. Then I went for a drive, checked the output on the computer and knew what I had. I know where it goes now and with the wide angle it's hard to miss the front of the car. At the track I leave it mounted and just remove the camera if needed to download and recharge. With a 16MB card it will handle 160 minutes of video on track and on a single charge.

--Dan

[needforspeed]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but considering your friend is a film maker, he probably has a professional quality camera which means not light. If that's the case I have a suction cup mount that has never failed me or my 30D even on Aaron's mustang at the postage stamp. I'm sure a few people remember seeing it up there.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3593/3468132309_0b9cdc2a62_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3618/3641550753_8978b223e0_o.jpg

It's a 6" suction cup sold by a company called film tools out of hollywood, and it has a weight capacity of +70lbs

Unfortunately I'll be out of town for the autocross/drift school, but if he wants to borrow it at another one that's fine with me.

[Itsuki]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but considering your friend is a film maker, he probably has a professional quality camera which means not light. If that's the case I have a suction cup mount that has never failed me or my 30D even on Aaron's mustang at the postage stamp. I'm sure a few people remember seeing it up there.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3593/3468132309_0b9cdc2a62_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3618/3641550753_8978b223e0_o.jpg

It's a 6" suction cup sold by a company called film tools out of hollywood, and it has a weight capacity of +70lbs

Unfortunately I'll be out of town for the autocross/drift school, but if he wants to borrow it at another one that's fine with me.


i did not take that into consideration when i made it, but i may have to take u up on your offer, thanks.

[black_em2]

I have one of these headrest mounts if anyone wants to use it
http://www.cruisecam.com/images/smallmount.jpg

http://www.cruisecam.com/images/smallmountback.jpg