camcorder mounting?

[wannabfast]

well i just got a nicer camcorder from what i used to have(sd instead of mini-dv) and i was wondering how it would be best mounted to the car, i was thinking of getting a gripper rig, but it might be cheaper to make my own, i got an industrial suction cup(one that can release with a lever) that should work as its only .36lbs so its not heavy at all, but i really like how the gripper can articulate so it can be pointed in a lot of different directions

any thoughts?

[barrowcadbury]

I have this for my camcorder (mounted to rollbar):
http://www.ioportracing.com/Merchant...gory_Code=IOPP

It looks strikingly similar to the picture in your post... Works great in terms of range of adjustment (3-axis, plus swiveling the camcorder on the base, so, really like 4-axis...). The vibration damper works great - I shoot my videos w/image stabilization off and manual focus on. Here's a sample video with my setup:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4ueUIDa2og

Now, obviously all this applies to the camera mounted to my rollbar - I unfortunately can't comment to how the suction cup mount would work... The one thing I don't like about mine is the cost (>$100) - the simplicity and quality of the product was convincing enough for me though.

Good luck

~Michael

[wannabfast]

I have this for my camcorder (mounted to rollbar):
http://www.ioportracing.com/Merchant...gory_Code=IOPP

It looks strikingly similar to the picture in your post... Works great in terms of range of adjustment (3-axis, plus swiveling the camcorder on the base, so, really like 4-axis...). The vibration damper works great - I shoot my videos w/image stabilization off and manual focus on. Here's a sample video with my setup:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4ueUIDa2og

Now, obviously all this applies to the camera mounted to my rollbar - I unfortunately can't comment to how the suction cup mount would work... The one thing I don't like about mine is the cost (>$100) - the simplicity and quality of the product was convincing enough for me though.

Good luck

~Michael

well i really want the suction cup so i can get external camera shots, and from the website, it can support up to 70lbs, which is way more than enough for my puny .36lbs camera

[EWAustin]

That far away from the contact surface I'd be really concerned about vibration.

[wannabfast]

theres video on youtube comparing various affordable mounts, and they look pretty good with a larger sony hd camera, most cameras have some form of image stabilization

i dunno tho, the main reason why i like this rig is that you can transfer cars very quickly and painlessly

[barrowcadbury]

Here's a few more to check out:
http://www.saferacer.com/auto-racing...tagarray=69,37

[washburn]

well i really want the suction cup so i can get external camera shots, and from the website, it can support up to 70lbs, which is way more than enough for my puny .36lbs camera

You will need to tether it securly if you run it on the outside. (Yes, I have seen camera's launched at courseworkers!) Additionally, this is what we used to get Nats videos' this year. Lots of vibration because we stuck it to the underside of the moon roof.

[wannabfast]

You will need to tether it securly if you run it on the outside. (Yes, I have seen camera's launched at courseworkers!) Additionally, this is what we used to get Nats videos' this year. Lots of vibration because we stuck it to the underside of the moon roof.

dually noted.. and i think i got a lanyard that should do the trick

a note about the moonroof, that panel isnt solidly mounted to the track so to speak, i think it woulda been better if it were on the side window or rear window where theres a lot less movement if something were attached

[shane86]

a note about the moonroof, that panel isnt solidly mounted to the track so to speak, i think it woulda been better if it were on the side window or rear window where theres a lot less movement if something were attached

Agreed, and if the fixed back bucket seats weren't in the way, we definitely would have mounted the camera at either one of those spots.

My videos used the same camera and the same mount on the back window. much more stable..

i also think the civic is putting out some EMI, or the vibration is like, perfectly in tune with the framerate of the camera... thats why it's doing that wavy effect in those videos, and not mine.

[rallyracer]

any thoughts?

I've been using this mount for years...works great!

Here a short clip from an Auto-x hillclimb run. Its a bit shaky dude to my heavy HD camera. Max speed was about 80mph.
EVO+MR+Hillclimb+run!+(rear+view)

I've never used a tether and had this thing hold great at speeds over 140mph at the track (with a smaller camera).